Performance Car Graphics vs Phoenix Graphics

[hunt2elk]

Starting to look for a rump stripe for my 69 Bee. I have always bought my decals from PCG because they have been cheaper than Phoenix and I have been satisfied with them. Now I am seeing that Phoenix is about 20% cheaper than PCG for this stripe. Anybody know if the quality between the 2 is comparable and why the recent price drop on Phoenix stuff?

 

[ACME A12]

No idea on the price drop.

Here's what I do know. When I had my SS/T repainted in 2013 I bought a stripe kit from Phoenix Graphics. They lasted maybe 2.5 years in the Florida sun whereas the originals had lasted 15. The color just completely went away on the roof and flat part of the hood. Looked like a really bad ghost stripe job. I was VERY disappointed.

 

[hunt2elk]

No idea on the price drop.

Here's what I do know. When I had my SS/T repainted in 2013 I bought a stripe kit from Phoenix Graphics. They lasted maybe 2.5 years in the Florida sun whereas the originals had lasted 15. The color just completely went away on the roof and flat part of the hood. Looked like a really bad ghost stripe job. I was VERY disappointed.

Thanks. This is the kind of feedback I am looking for. Performance Car Graphics uses good quality 3M material. Phoenix doesn't state what they use.

 

[69L48Z27]

You’re probably safe with either. My experience last experience was with a stencil. First got one from PCG and it was a disaster. The stencil wouldn’t lift and when it did, all the adhesive was left behind. Ended up costing me several hundred at the body and then added delays. I contacted PCG and they couldn’t get one out quickly.
I called Phoenix Graphics and he cut a fresh one and overnighted it. Worked perfect.

I personally will only buy from Phoenix Graphics. Also looks like they are a sponsor here.

 

[Beekeeper]

Performance graphics has quality stuff

 

[hanks73340]

I went with PCG. Phoenix sent me an old set that was slightly faded to begin with.

 

[WileE]

I've used Phoenix a number of time over the years. I just installed a set on my buddy's Cuda last summer. Perfect.

 

[odcics2]

I've known the owner of Performance Car Graphics, Dave Patik, since the 80s.

Great guy. Uses the best materials. Knows his stuff.

The #88 Chrysler Engineering Daytona will have a PCG tail stripe on it.

 

[ACME A12]

I've known the owner of Performance Car Graphics, Dave Patik, since the 80s.

Great guy. Uses the best materials. Knows his stuff.

Agreed. David restored the instrument clusters in my A12 RR and my GTS 'vert. Also handled some other dash & interior-related chores for me on the RR. Top notch work all the way around. Never had to get a stripe kit from him - but if I was in the market he would be the one to get the call...

 

[Sixpactogo]

I have used Phoenix Graphics a number of times. Matte black Hood decals on 2 70 Challengers with no issues over 20 years. Special ordered Carbon fiber rump stripe has been on my 68 Charger for 4 years with no issues. No personal experience with PCG to compare to.

 

[hunt2elk]

Posting this up here in addition to my restoration thread just so others can be informed of the quality issues as well as the very poor customer service from Phoenix Graphics.
I decided to save the $62 and try Phoenix for the first time. Turned out to be a big mistake. Got the stripe in a week and called up my decal guy to come put it on. We did the drivers side first and noticed a couple of issues after peeling off the backing. The correct way to lay these out is to have the brim of the helmet on the body line and that should leave 1/4" or so of decal between the circle and the reflector opening. #1 was that the the Bee in the circle was not quite level and #2 was that the circle was getting down into the reflector. At that point I decided to live with it and we moved to the other side. Passenger side was way worse. We finished the install and stood back to look at it. Took some pics and came on here to get feedback and photos from a couple of other members. In the pics my car is the T5 one. The blue and green cars are members cars that used a Performance Car Graphics stripe. You can clearly see how the Phoenix one is clocked wrong. I went out and spent 1.5 hours ripping the stripe off.
I left 2 voices messages and 1 email with Phoenix Graphics just asking if someone could contact me because I had some questions about a rump stripe I purchased from them. This was over a period of 3 days. No response. On the fourth day I ran across another phone # for them that wasn't listed on their site. Called that at like 7:00 pm expecting to leave another message. Was surprised when somebody answered the phone. The guy was nice, said they sell piles of those stripes and have never had anybody raising a concern with them. He asked me to send pics. I did, along with pictures of Wayne and Darrins cars showing how the Bee logo and lettering should set level as well as the correct spacing between the circle and the reflector opening. He said he would look at them right away the next morning. Never did hear back from him. Sent a follow up email asking if he wanted the stripe back that I tore off the car. Still no response. So the next morning I contacted my credit card company to file a dispute. They reversed the charges and if PG doesn't respond to Chase within the next 2 billing cycles it will be over and I will only be out what I paid to have the stripe installed.
So long story short, I really don't care if Phoenix Graphics is a sponsor here or not. I am stating the facts that they make an inferior rump stripe for 69 Bee's. Also their customer service flat out sucks. A guy shouldn't have to go through a credit card company to get a problem rectified, and I will still be out money. My guy also said that the stripe from Phoenix was either a poorer quality vinyl because it was much rougher after installed than PCG, or it was sitting on a shelf for awhile. He also had a lot harder time getting the backing off the PG stripe which would point to sitting on a shelf to long.

 

[hunt2elk]

Called and ordered a new stripe from Performance Car Graphics on Monday morning. Delivered to me and had it installed Friday afternoon. Now that is great service and the stripe is even level with the world. This one will work in my world. So idk, maybe Phoenix makes some decent stripes, but for you guys wanting one for a Bee, don't waste your time.

 

[Sixpactogo]

Joel. Looks like Phoenix Graphics sold you an inferior stripe for sure. I hope they refund your money. They certainly should if they value feedback and the quality of their products. Can't wait to see your Bee in person. It looks perfect!

 

[CoronetDarter]

Joel, you mentioned you had someone install the decal. Have you ever tried installing one yourself? I'm asking because I'm getting close to ordering a rump stripe for the Coronet and wondering if I can install it myself.
BTW, thanks for the write-up, very helpful.

 

[dadsbee]

Joel's installer does it dry, but keep in mind he does it day in day out for a living!

I show pretty much step by step in my resto thread, including install video... Post # 862 to 881.

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopa...ge-super-bee-coupe-restoration.145777/page-44

 

[CoronetDarter]

Joel's installer does it dry, but keep in mind he does it day in day out for a living!

I show pretty much step by step in my resto thread, including install video... Post # 862 to 881.

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopa...ge-super-bee-coupe-restoration.145777/page-44

I saw the dry install on Joel's resto thread after reading this one. Comparing the dry install to your videos pretty much convinced me to to float the decal if I do it myself. Either way it's a nerve racking process.

 

[hunt2elk]

Joel, you mentioned you had someone install the decal. Have you ever tried installing one yourself? I'm asking because I'm getting close to ordering a rump stripe for the Coronet and wondering if I can install it myself.
BTW, thanks for the write-up, very helpful.

I have never installed one myself, basically just because of how little my buddy charges me. If I did try to tackle it myself, there is no doubt I would do it wet just like Wayne did.

 

[myk r sanchez]

Joel's installer does it dry, but keep in mind he does it day in day out for a living!

I show pretty much step by step in my resto thread, including install video... Post # 862 to 881.

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopa...ge-super-bee-coupe-restoration.145777/page-44

Installs the stripe dry? That's some guts right there.

Anyway my tail stripe is from Phoenix; I was satisfied with the product as it's been on there for about two years with no issues to report...

 

[dadsbee]

I know more than a few that do that locally, but like Joels guy they do it every day for a living.

 

[myk r sanchez]

It's nothing short of magic to me lol. I remember the last plastic model I built that had water slide decals; that was a disaster...