The directions that Ken includes are fairly sufficient in getting you "there".....
However, having previously been employed in the sign industry, albeit many moons ago at this point, I would highly recommend the following:
Get yourself a bottle of this Rapid Tac II:
http://rapidtac.com/rapidtac2.htmlHaving a small squeegee such as this is also helpful:
http://www.amazon.com/High-Quality-Felt-Decal-Squeegee/dp/B00I4CLY6A/ref=sr_1_1/175-8510368-6465335?ie=UTF8&qid=1418223029&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+squeegeeFinally, a simple hair dryer, and/or a heat gun (used at it's lowest setting) will be helpful in not only warming up the surface pre-application, but also during post-install steps.
As with any decal, clean the surface to be applied on. Be sure to remove any layers of built up wax, etc.
A great product for that can be found here:
http://rapidtac.com/rapid-prep.htmlUse the hair dryer after cleaning to be sure the application surface is warm. The application tape (semi-translucent and/or even clear in some instances) is that material that's on top of the decal itself. They make it that way to help the installer (you) be able to measure and/or align where you want the decal to be placed. As stated by others, in the case of these hood stripes, you'll want to overlap (IIRC) approx. 1/2" of the tail end of the decal over/under the back side of the hood.
Spray a small / light amount of the RapidTac II product to the back side of the decal (you must expose the adhesive by removing the backing material. You'll also want to spray a small amount of the RapidTac II onto the surface where decal's being applied. Don't over spray it mind you, your goal is not to soak it til it's dripping.
By spraying, all you're essentially doing is provide a lubricated "layer" for which allows you to "play" with the decal on the applied surface itself. In other words, you'll be able to move it around (incrementally) w/o incurring damage to the decal itself.
Once you have it in place, use the squeegee to burnish, or rub it down onto the surface. By doing this, you are forcing out the liquid from inbetween the decal's backside and the applied surface (in this case the engine hood).
Before peeling away the application tape, be sure to use that hair dryer/heat gun once again, to warm up the adhesive, along with the applied surface a second time, at which point doing so essentially ensures you've removed any final remaining liquid, and are speeding up, or promoting the decal's adhesion further.
Questions? Check out some of these helpful Q&A's:
http://rapidtac.com/faq.htmlOne final note, as I've replaced my stripes over the years (initial sets had the SHO verbiage tilted forward on the passenger side, a 2nd set was used when my hood vents were installed and hood re-painted) but I'll caution that you absolutely must remember that whenever washing the car, you'll want to remember to NOT rub the very tips of those hood stripes (with a wash mitt, towel, etc.) upwards (or towards the windshield).
Doing so (even once/twice) will likely cause the ends to begin to curl, or peel up. This has nothing to do with the quality of the decal, etc. but everything to do with the fact that's simply not much material there to "stick" to the hood because of their mere size (like 1/16th" or less).
Any other questions, LMK.
