Any one know how close the Phoenix Graphics kit is to the factory stripes? I'm trying to decide if the kit is worth the money.
I used them on my car, although not a real GSX, i found the stripes to be pretty much dead nuts. I've compared the car to a few original GSX's and it all looked good. I did hand paint the spoiler as the stencil was in like 4 pieces if i remember correctly. Bob
I am going to dissent from that opinion. I think you need to ask JW. Not exact would be our feelings.
How about we agree on saying that for the less than 125k full blown resto, the Phoenix Graphics stencil kit would be more than sufficient. I am just going to guess that if someone is considering the stencil kit, they are not quite in the one off pro resto category. I could however be wrong.
For the record, Buickgsman's non-original GSX and stencil kit stripes, placed second in the judging at the Yankee Chapter Annual meet last summer. The fully restored original placed third. You do the math. Super nice car Bob! :TU:
I have painted two GSX's in the last 6 months or so, used the Phoenix kit both times.. while it certainly is better than hand taping the whole thing, I only really use the side stripes.. and the stencil for the rear of the spoiler. Minor alterations and "moving around" of the stencil is required for them to appear correct, and I hand tape the top of the spoiler, and the hood. I currently have a guy working on making an alternative set of stencils, based on the knowledged gained from using what's out there now, we do feel improvements can be made. We are also looking at making the stripes in tape, for those of you who want the look, but don't want to go thru the hassel of taping them out and painting.. JW
The stripes in the from of a decal would be great.I plan on painting my car myself and am a little leary of painting the stripes on.Decals would be great for me.Let us know when you know a little more.
I recently talked to a guy who worked in the paint room when these cars were done. He said they were a PITA. He noticed mine was not original paint right away when he looked for the mismatch. Kinda neat to talk to somebody involved in painting the originals. I'm probably going to end up taking my car down to the shop and just letting them use it for the pattern. I've always been very happy with the way my first painter hand taped all of it off from about 80 pictures of real X's. The one exception is narrowing down the red pinstripe on the hood to 1/8 instead of 1/4 inch. A different painter did my hood and misread my notes on the correct size. Also going with the correct matte finish on all the black stripes on Julie's car. She's a bit more perfectionist than me.
Jim, I am sure you will have a large ready market if you come up with a tape or decal set of stripes (me included). - keep us in the loop on any progress!
Eddie, I noticed you mentioned the "mismatch" in the GSX stripes were a quick way to tell if the stripes were "authentic" or not. What is this "mismatch" in the GSX stripes? I've read about several times but I don't know what it is Thanks for the education!
On an original GSX factory paint there is a spot just about center ways over the rear drivers wheel well where the factory stencil started and finished. I've never seen it on the passenger side but it may be there too. The stripes had place where they didn't line up perfectly, barely noticable on some cars and more pronounced on others.
There is a company here in NC that allready makes the decal set (sticker) of a GSX and the pres. of the carolina chapter (David Link) has it on one of his cars (cool clone) the kit was made from Tom Bakers car when it had original paint so it is what I would consider VERY accurate and just remember this kit does not need to be perfect anyway this is just for fun but it is a very nice kit. to make the car look like a REAL GSX David had someone paint the black part of the hood a eggshell black (I think thats what he called it) he will tell you its his "Taxi Cab" paint job and he loves the car it is very cool and nice to see someone really enjoy a car and roast the tires every now and then:3gears: I will get the name of the company and phone number later today and post it here PS this is the company I used when I had my GSX (#96) painted
Sorry for the delay. I called David Link the Carolina Capter Pres. and he said he would get back to me but never did. I called Tom Baker and got the information. I have seen this on a car myself and it looks really nice and I think it is a great Idea so that you dont have to paint your car if you later change your mind about the GSX look Chris Mayhew @ Performance Graphics 11111 Treynorth Dr Cornelius, NC 28031 (704) 896-1855
the stripes on my brother's car were painted & required a whole day to tape & paint & clearcoat. they look fabulous.
I ended up just dropping my car off down there for them to use as a pattern. All paint is the way to go IMHO. Tricky getting it just right though without lines you can feel with your fingernail.
