My solution to dark badges / lettering on dark colors -- contrasting color vinyl

[sotek2345]

As adults, how do we live in a world where it's even considered a good idea to put yellow stickers ( or honestly, cheap vinyl anything ) all over a 60k+ truck?.. I had to scroll through this quickly, and I'd just like to say I'm glad that you showed a little restraint and removed them off the tailgate f-150

Eh, to each their own. I think they look great!

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[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

As adults, how do we live in a world where it's even considered a good idea to put yellow stickers ( or honestly, cheap vinyl anything ) all over a 60k+ truck?.. I had to scroll through this quickly, and I'd just like to say I'm glad that you showed a little restraint and removed them off the tailgate f-150

There are about 9000 different Ford vinyl products on Etsy right now, including around 3000 F-150 items and that includes inserts for every configuration for the same reason some people use custom ringtones, phone and laptop skins and of course slogans, "Stick Figure Families" and their favorite sports teams or band logos. It's just a creative way to say "This is my truck. There are many like it, but this one is mine".

Friends would say they saw my Jeep in the parking lot at the mall. How did they know? I was they guy with a Blues Brothers decal. It originally didn't say "Wrangler" on the hood like older models, so I did what a lot of others did. I ordered a set because I liked the old look.

Some people get racing stripes, others like hockey stick stripes. My old XLT had F-150 written in chrome on the sides, like today's ICE version have. For me, the lack of a visible badge you can see from more than a few feet away leaves an opportunity to tinker (ditto for the rear logo which is pretty much invisible on the dark paint). Today I tried yellow, because it's a nice contrast with dark blue, but I'll keep tinkering with colors simply because it's fun to try something different.

As for the rear tail letters, that's actually one of the most popular categories of customizations for any F-150. In fact, it seems to me that a day doesn't go by that I don't see at least a few F-150s with an insert on the tailgate, including Limiteds and Platinums. You might not have noticed it, but now that I bring it up, count how many F-150s you see with some sort of insert in the tailgate. You'll be surprised at how popular it is. Keep in mind, none of them are shipped that way from the factory, so 100% of them are guys like me who simply like filling that space.

As they say, to each his own.

 

[ChrisCon]

There are about 9000 different Ford vinyl products on Etsy right now.

and they are all ugly.

Every Tundra, and F150 with the letter tailgates inserts I see each day makes me think, " ugh, stickers" . The only thing the lightning should have on it is, the side logo should also be on the back (from the factory) . Should there be logo variants for dark vehicles? Sure, from the factory.

Steps to Duplicate:
1. Show stickers to significant other (or lacking significant other, unbiased stranger or family member who doesn't have calvin pissing on their vehicle) of stickers on someone else's vehicle.
2. Ask their honest opinion.
3. Receive answer.

Exceptions: Racing Stripes, Pin Stripes (I guess) and full wraps .


But to each their own-
-I don't have a case on my phone .
-My Macbook is glowforged, because stickers are stickers.
-My wife is a huge crafter/ cricuter (check my halloween post where we made the lightning into a pizza planet truck), but still no stickers.


Chris" No stickers" Con

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

The only thing the lightning should have on it is, the side logo should also be on the back (from the factory) . Should there be logo variants for dark vehicles? Sure, from the factory.

Unfortunately, the factory doesn't offer them, but if they did, they would be indistinguishable from DIY versions.

I think one of the reasons factories don't fill in the lettering on F-150s, Tundras, RAMs, etc. is that it simplifies inventory. Some may want basic colors like mat black or white, while others may want the pop of Stars and Stripes, or perhaps chrome, so they leave things like that as dealer installed options and for aftermarket companies.

Which means some of the inserts you see are Ford's $75 dealer installed glossy black tailgate letters, part # ML3Z9941018A:
https://accessories.ford.com/products/f-150-2021-gloss-black-tailgate-lettering-1

Or chrome for $85. Part # ML3Z9941018B
https://accessories.ford.com/products/f-150-2021-chrome-tailgate-lettering-1

Both are basically the same peel and stick Cricut vinyl and the dealer charges $12 to install it.

Ford also offers real metal inserts that cost $129 and cost $60 to have them installed.

In either case, when dealers install these genuine Ford versions it's still vinyl, just like the "4x4" badges. The only difference is when they leave it to dealers and aftermarket, the consumer decides if they want them... and if they do, what colors.

Mine are easily removable , so I get to play with different colors and I've already had a neighbor notice the "Lightning" badge for the 1st time (he didn't realize it wasn't just an ICE F-150).

Exceptions: Racing Stripes, Pin Stripes (I guess) and full wraps .

But to each their own-
-I don't have a case on my phone .
-My Macbook is glowforged, because stickers are stickers.
-My wife is a huge crafter/ cricuter (check my halloween post where we made the lightning into a pizza planet truck), but still no stickers.

We're not too different there. I've never had a case on my iPhones or MacBooks.

My Blues Brothers and Wrangler decals were made of the same vinyl as Jeep used and people honestly thought the Wrangler logo on the hood was installed at the factory. Older models had Wrangler written on the hood so they looked perfectly normal. A few people even asked me if Jeep somehow had a Blues Brothers promotion because it matched the fit and style of the factory flat vinyl.

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

I’d be interested in the file. My wife can do some awesome stuff with her cricut.

I just posted my 4th version in the same folder with thinner lines so a bit of the black can show. It's raining today, so I won't be able to cut and install them for a few days.

 

[VeganF150]

I just posted my 4th version in the same folder with thinner lines so a bit of the black can show. It's raining today, so I won't be able to cut and install them for a few days.

What type of vinyl did you use. My wife is going to make them on her circuit maxhine for me.

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

What type of vinyl did you use. My wife is going to make one for me on her cricut machine. Thanks

Since I'm mainly tinkering with the fit, I've only used Cricut's Premium Glossy Removable, but I've noticed the "Premium Permanent" can be peeled off without leaving a mess anyway. I have a box of other colors including one that matches the blue on the sides of the rear badge.

I think I'll make a trip to the local Michaels to see some other colors or perhaps a Chrome Vinyl. You can get a roll of that on Amazon for under $10.

 

[jimfigler]

and they are all ugly.

Every Tundra, and F150 with the letter tailgates inserts I see each day makes me think, " ugh, stickers" . The only thing the lightning should have on it is, the side logo should also be on the back (from the factory) . Should there be logo variants for dark vehicles? Sure, from the factory.

Steps to Duplicate:
1. Show stickers to significant other (or lacking significant other, unbiased stranger or family member who doesn't have calvin pissing on their vehicle) of stickers on someone else's vehicle.
2. Ask their honest opinion.
3. Receive answer.

Exceptions: Racing Stripes, Pin Stripes (I guess) and full wraps .


But to each their own-
-I don't have a case on my phone .
-My Macbook is glowforged, because stickers are stickers.
-My wife is a huge crafter/ cricuter (check my halloween post where we made the lightning into a pizza planet truck), but still no stickers.


Chris" No stickers" Con

I agree to a point. With stickers more is not better. I do like the tailgate lettering if a complimentary color is chosen but that's about it. I put mine on and both my spouse and my stepson said it looked great. My stepson never compliments me on anything. Sometimes you see those trucks or cars where they found every fake chrome accessory and slapped it on, just looks tacky. But then again it is not my vehicle.

 

[khatch]

Since I'm mainly tinkering with the fit, I've only used Cricut's Premium Glossy Removable, but I've noticed the "Premium Permanent" can be peeled off without leaving a mess anyway. I have a box of other colors including one that matches the blue on the sides of the rear badge.

I think I'll make a trip to the local Michaels to see some other colors or perhaps a Chrome Vinyl. You can get a roll of that on Amazon for under $10.

Thanks for the work and sharing the files!

I've done some cricut vinyl for my Bronco and the permanent vinyl seems to be the recommended vinyl for outdoor use. But as you said, it peels off the car with no issues.

And I agree with you on the customization. For whatever reason, trucks, Wranglers, and now Broncos are commonly customized, which I like. So whether it's fancy rims, aftermarket exhaust, lift, or "stickers", I think the personalization is great. Vinyl is big business in the auto world and whole car wraps are very expensive. Hell, PPF is a sticker. Windows tints are stickers. People like the idea that you can change it back to the original if your tastes change or if you want to sell.

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

I've done some cricut vinyl for my Bronco and the permanent vinyl seems to be the recommended vinyl for outdoor use. But as you said, it peels off the car with no issues.

And I agree with you on the customization. For whatever reason, trucks, Wranglers, and now Broncos are commonly customized, which I like. So whether it's fancy rims, aftermarket exhaust, lift, or "stickers", I think the personalization is great. Vinyl is big business in the auto world and whole car wraps are very expensive. Hell, PPF is a sticker. Windows tints are stickers. People like the idea that you can change it back to the original if your tastes change or if you want to sell.

I originally picked up the Removable so I could make multiple tests before applying the Permanent version, but as you said, the Permanent comes off pretty easily too. I think the main difference is the Removable is more likely to peel off by mistake when washing it for example.

 

[ChrisCon]

I originally picked up the Removable so I could make multiple tests before applying the Permanent version, but as you said, the Permanent comes off pretty easily too. I think the main difference is the Removable is more likely to peel off by mistake when washing it for example.

We’ve noticed that removable vinyl ( cricut brand) appears to be much more temperature sensitive than permanent vinyl. Particularly in outdoor settings . So
If I was doing vinyl , I’d lean towards the permanent for sure .removable seems to begin to peal off under its own weight when humidity changes or temperatures have strong variation.

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