ebay hood decals

[hada76]

have read some things on here about the cheap ebay hood birds(mostly bad).....BUT....has anyone installed one and are they really THAT bad?

[jphillips3333]

My .02cents ... for something that big and for how visible it is, get the kit from Brett.  He does this site as well, if I need something, I look here first.

[Rick]

If you want one on your car, you want one that looks like an actual bird on the hood, rather than just bird $hit on the hood.  The hood isn't the place to cheap out.

[brian c]

One place I wouldn't skimp is the hood bird.

If you're thinking of doing SE striping on the car, you could just buy a roll of tape instead of using the preformed pieces and save some $$ that way.

[Hammer]

I've installed many hood birds with the Hitman.  We work well together as we both know what to look for when putting one on a car.  It's easy if you know what your doing but we keep in mind we have to act fast before the hood bird starts to set.  YOU ONLY HAVE ONE SHOT AT GETTING A HOOD BIRD ON STRAIGHT AND RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!  So, there is a lot of money riding on one chance to get it right.  So to answer your question, it isn't that bad but it is an expensive lesson if you put it on wrong and don't measure while installing one.  This is most likely why many shy away from this installing hood birds themselves.  It also takes, at the least, two people to put a hood bird on.  I am very skilled at putting on hood birds but I would never attempt to put one on by myself.      

Regarding hood bird purchases, I purchased mine from the Hitman.  The quality is very good and backed by Phoenix Graphics.  I wouldn't skimp on an item everyone can see with a cheap reproduction.  JMHO 

[y88rick]

alot of people on ebay sell these as 2 or even 3 piece birds. not a great idea for a hood. Buy it from brett. he gives you a discount from buying off of this site. The bird or the kit is well worth the money. I manned up and did mine by myself and it wasnt bad at all. no creases and i had only a couple small bubbles which worked themselves out and it looks fantastic.

[78w72]

i agree the bird decal, or any of the decals is not something you want to skimp on,  i have bought both my kits from brett & actually have had problems that phoenix fixed right away.

however, if you just want a bird on you car that has less than average paint or is only temporary untill you can get a quality repaint & correct decals,  then yes i feel a hoodbird for $50 is just fine.  i almost bought one from ebay for garage wall art but haven't yet.  i found what the seller claims to be a one piece decal that looks just like original.  from his pics they looked pretty good & were available in many color options.  

if you need quality buy quality,  if you just want a bird to slap on so the car looks better look to the cheap ones.  

[y88rick]

i had a single problem with phoenix but they didnt fix my problem however they did sell me another decale for really cheap.

[78w72]

i had a single problem with phoenix but they didnt fix my problem however they did sell me another decale for really cheap.

after dealing with phoenix a few times i have found that they are very willing to work with you if the issue is reported in a reasonable time & you have a ref# to verify your order.  i think they get alot of people a year or more later that call them to report problems but can't verify anything because they threw the box with their info away.  also most problems should be apparent at the time of install or very soon after.  issues that arise a year or more later are probably from improper care or treatment of the decal....not always but most of the time.

i had a bird for my 78 that was actually ripped at the edge of the paper & protruded into the decal a bit,  i noticed this a few months after ordering the kit but before i installed it,  they replaced it with no questions.  then,  i  just had an issue with my 81 pacecar t/a name decals that they replaced no problem....  then i installed the hood bird & it had defects plus adhesive issues.  i did have to send pics & describe the issue very well, but they replaced it with no problems.  another person i know with a 81 pacecar had some problems with the bird too & they (eventually) got it replaced too.   i'm very happy with phoenix's products & service.  

    

[y88rick]

I am not in any way outraged. I had a sail bird with part of a missing wing noticed after install though. I took a pic and got it in right away (within a month of buying the kit) they believe it was due to my instal whatever it's only a sail bird wont hurt my finances. so i ordered another one and poof here it is. though i havent opened it yet lol. im sure its fine though. the rest of my kit was fine no adheasion problems or anything. best quality i have seen since o.e. so im not going to bark about a measly single decale thats for sure. I will buy from them again and again. as said its the best kit i have ever gotten to this day.

[78w72]

i agree,  very good quality.  i think they just had a bad run on the 81 pacecar decals & bird.   my 78 kit was top notch, perfect in every way & looks like the day i installed it even 3 years later. 



 

[y88rick]

that is great to know as mine has been on for only 2 months or so now maybe up to 3

[78w72]

take proper care of it.  phoenix says DO NOT wax the decal.  i use a product called 303 protectant.  it works great & i have friends that have used it for many years on their boats.  supposed to be pretty amazing stuff.  you can get a free sample at their website if you want to try it out.   

[y88rick]

that is exactly what this stuff is called, 303 protectant?

[78w72]

that is exactly what this stuff is called, 303 protectant?

yes, exactly.   

http://www.303products.com/