Body Panel Decals

Truck owners, off-road builders and weekend detailers shop this collection when they want to change the look of a vehicle without a paint job. Body panel decals cover the hood, doors and fenders in one coordinated kit, so the whole truck or car reads as a finished build rather than a single random sticker. Every kit is made to order in the USA and ships free.

What This Collection Includes

Body panel decals are large format graphics cut and printed for specific panels of a truck or car. Instead of piecing together individual stickers and hoping the spacing works, you get a matched set designed to flow across the hood, down the fenders and along the doors. The graphics in this collection are printed on stocked materials only: matte vinyl, gloss vinyl, static cling and clear vinyl.

Popular kits in this collection show the range of looks available. The American Flag Truck Hood Decal Kit in matte vinyl is a favorite for full size pickups that get shown at local meets and towed to job sites alike. The Racing Stripe Truck Hood Decals in matte and gloss vinyl give a classic dual finish stripe treatment, and if you want to explore more stripe options beyond the hood, our Racing Stripes page collects every stripe style we print. The Skull Flame Truck Hood Decals in matte vinyl lean aggressive, while the Camouflage Truck Hood Decals in matte vinyl wrap style suit hunting rigs and trail trucks.

Some kits in this collection are sized with specific trucks in mind. The Ford F-150 Hood Decal Stripes Kit is cut for the F-150 hood, and the Chevy Silverado Hood Stripe Decal Kit is cut for the Silverado. These are aftermarket graphics printed by LEO Sticker, and we hold no affiliation with, endorsement by or license from any vehicle manufacturer. Truck names are used only to describe fitment. If you drive something else, the universal kits can be trimmed to fit, and you can browse every vehicle graphic we carry on the Decals Stickers page.

How to Pick the Right Size for the Surface

Body panel decals are quoted in inches, with sizes running from 12 to 48 inches. The right size depends on the panel you are covering and how much of it you want filled. A 12 to 18 inch graphic works well centered on a car hood or placed on a rear fender above the wheel arch. A 24 to 36 inch kit starts to read as a true hood graphic on a midsize truck. The 48 inch kits are cut for full size truck hoods and long door runs where the graphic needs to stretch from the front fender through the door.

Measure before you order. Use a soft tape measure and record the flat width and height of the area you want covered, not the total panel size. On a hood, measure between the hood lines or trim edges where you want the graphic to sit. On doors, measure from the body line down to the rocker, and subtract an inch of breathing room on each side so the decal does not ride onto a curve. On fenders, measure above the wheel arch where the surface is flattest. If your measurement lands between two stocked sizes, choose the smaller size, because a slightly smaller graphic is far easier to position and trim than one that overhangs a panel edge.

Also think about surface shape. A flat hood center handles a large graphic cleanly. A heavily contoured fender with body lines and creases is easier to cover with a kit that comes in multiple pieces, since each piece can be worked into the contour separately. Most kits in this collection are supplied as sectioned pieces for exactly this reason.

How to Fit a Large Decal

Surface prep comes first. Wash the panel with car wash soap and rinse fully, then go over the area with isopropyl alcohol on a lint free cloth to remove wax and residue. The panel must be completely dry before you start. Work in shade or in a garage so the panel is cool to the touch, because a hot surface makes the vinyl grab before you have positioned it.

Plan the placement before removing the backing. Hold the decal up against the panel with masking tape along the top edge as a hinge. Step back and check alignment from several angles, then tape the corners and look again. When you are happy, lift the graphic on the tape hinge and peel the backing away slowly, starting from the hinged edge.

Use a felt edged squeegee to press the decal down, working from the center outward in overlapping strokes. Do not drag the squeegee toward an edge all in one pass, because that pushes air ahead of the vinyl and creates bubbles. If you trap an air bubble, do not force it. Lift the vinyl gently near the bubble if it is near an edge, or prick it with a pin and press the air out with your finger or the squeegee. For curved areas, warm the vinyl lightly with a hair dryer on low so it stretches into the contour, then squeegee it flat. Work slowly, keep the vinyl supported so it does not fold back onto itself, and leave the application tape in place for a few minutes before peeling it back at a sharp angle.

Care and Removal

Care for body panel decals the way you care for the paint around them. Hand wash with mild soap and a soft sponge or microfiber cloth. Avoid high pressure spray nozzles aimed directly at the edges of the graphic, and avoid automatic brush washes, since brushes can catch a lifted edge. Do not use solvent based cleaners, polish or wax directly on the printed surface, because these can dull the print. Blot dry with a microfiber towel rather than dragging cloth across the edges.

When it is time for a change, removal is straightforward. Warm the decal with a hair dryer on low to soften the adhesive, then peel it back slowly at a shallow angle, keeping the vinyl warm as you go. Pulling straight up or too fast can leave adhesive residue. If residue remains, roll it off with your thumb or use an adhesive remover that is safe for automotive paint, applied to a cloth rather than sprayed on the panel. Then wash and dry the area before installing your next kit.

Are body panel decals safe for car paint?

Yes, when applied to clean factory paint and removed gently with low heat, these decals are designed to come off without damaging the finish. Prep the panel properly before installation and avoid aggressive tools during removal.

Can I trim a decal to fit my exact panel?

Yes. A sharp hobby knife and a steady hand let you trim edges to follow body lines or shorten a stripe. Cut on the vehicle only with light pressure and a fresh blade, and always trim after the decal is positioned, not before.

Do these kits fit any truck or car?

Universal kits fit most panels when trimmed, while some kits, such as the F-150 and Silverado hood stripe kits, are cut with those hoods in mind. Measure your panels and compare them to the listed size before ordering.