Vinyl Installation Tips

Applying Decals - Graphic Kits

Tools Required:

• Sharp X-acto knife or utility knife
• squeegee
• spray bottle
• a heat gun or hair dryer
• and a helping hand (not required but it will help).

Follow these directions:

1. Fill your spray bottle with water (preferably distilled) and add a few drops of dish soap. (do not use too much soap)
   Clean the surface of the vehicle where the graphics will be placed. Alcohol works great. The cleaner the better.
2. Pre-fit the graphics to know how it will fit and where you want to place it. You can mark where the graphic will go with tape or a grease pencil to aid in proper placement of the graphic.
3. Using the soapy water solution thoroughly wet down the area of the vehicle that the graphic will be applied.
4. Peel the backing paper off the graphic as you spray the sticky side of the graphic.
5. Place the graphic on the vehicle making sure that there is still plenty of the soapy water solution on the vehicle and the graphic.
6. Squeegee the water out by using strokes from the center to the outside of the graphic. Take your time and do a thorough job. Time taken here will show in the end.
7. After a few minutes spray the transfer tape with the soapy water solution and use the squeegee to carefully rub it into the tape.
8. Starting in on corner, begin to slowly remove the tape at a sharp angle. Use caution to keep from pulling up the graphic.
9. Now take the time to squeegee out and more bubbles. Trim all the seems such as window moldings, door edges, fenderwell openings, etc.

You can use the hair dryer or heat gun to help tuck the edges and work out any bubbles. This will also help cure the graphic but care must be taken not to use excessive heat. This could distort the graphic. Any remaining bubbles can be popped with a pin or X-acto knives

NOTE: Heat from a hair dryer or heat gun can help to slightly stretch the vinyl on compound curves or surface irregularities.

For best cure, leave the vehicle indoors for 24 hours and refrain from washing or waxing and driving in any harsh weather.

NOTE: It maybe necessary to check edges for adhesion for the first day or two. Use a hair dryer or heat gun as necessary and rub down the edges with your finger as you heat it.

Applying Decals - Windshield Decals

Tools Required:

• Sharp X-acto knife or utility knife
• squeegee
• spray bottle
• a heat gun or hair dryer
• and a helping hand (not required but it will help).

Follow these directions:

1. Fill your spray bottle with water (preferably distilled) and add a few drops of dish soap. (do not use too much soap)
2. Clean the windshield where the graphics will be placed. Alcohol works great. The cleaner the better.
3. Pre-fit the graphics to know how it will fit and where you want to place it. You can mark where the graphic will go with tape or a grease pencil to aid in proper placement of the graphic.
4. Using the soapy water solution thoroughly wet down the area of the windshield were the graphic will be applied.
5. Peel the backing paper off the graphic as you spray the sticky side of the graphic.
6. Place the graphic on the vehicle making sure that there is still plenty of the soapy water solution on the windshield and the graphic.
7. Squeegee the water out by using strokes from the center to the outside of the graphic. Take your time and do a thorough job. Time taken here will show in the end.
8. Heat with a hair dryer or heat gun to aid in proper adhesion. Do not get the decal too hot.
9. Trim around the edge with a sharp X-acto knife. Pop any bubbles that are left with a pin.

NOTE: If you have a graphic or words to go over the windshield banner, install them the same way as the instructions say for installing graphic kits.

General Vinyl Information

Vinyl Surface Requirements:
This is a general guideline and is used as such.

Surface Preparation:
All surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before applying your vinyl graphics. Follow the instructions below for specific material cleaning procedures.

Plastics and Glass:
Thoroughly wipe surface clean with a window cleaner. Remove any dried matter such as tape or glue with a single edge razor blade.(Being very careful not to cut yourself) If you are planning to use acrylic, remove the protective liner from the acrylic 24 hours prior to application of the vinyl graphic. This will allow any air bubbles (out gassing) to dissipate from the acrylic. If this is not observed you may find air bubbles form under your graphic within a couple of days.

Painted Metals and Base Metals:
These surfaces may be cleaned with a solvent such as Naphtha, Xylol or just regular rubbing alcohol.Dry the surface with a lint free cloth before the solvent evaporates. Freshly painted surfaces should be dry for at least 96 hour+ prior to application of the vinyl graphics.

Interior Painted Surfaces Surfaces:
may be cleaned with any household cleaner such as Fantastic or 409. Wipe area clean and dry with a lint free cloth before applying the vinyl graphics. Freshly painted surfaces should be dry for at least 96 hours+ prior to application of the vinyl graphics.

Temperature and Weather Conditions:
The temperature of the room and the temperature of the intended surface should be between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for best results. Very high humidity (above 90 percent) may effect the application process. -It can't be Raining or even Drizzling. Decals must be kept absolutely dry until installed. Try to avoid installing Decals in Direct Sunlight. Surface Temperatures in Direct Sunlight often change rapidly and are difficult to judge. Make sure there is No Wind present, Wind or Gusts Will cause a problem.Not to mention getting that pesky dirt particules that can really show up under the vinyl after application.

Working with Decals:

Dealing with Bubbles:
You will probably end up with some bubbles in your decal job. Small bubbles will go away in time (the film breathes, and will flatten out after a few weeks at an appropriate temperature). If you want to work on the bubbles immediately, apply moderate heat, then poke them with a pin, pressing the film down with your thumb immediately afterwards. Have patience though, the film will lay flat on it's own in time unless the bubbles are unusually large.

Storage:
Your decals must be kept clean, dry, and laid out on a flat surface. If storage is to be longer than 1 year, It is recommended that they be kept in an airtight container or bag. If you regularly use decals, make sure to rotate your stock.

Decal Removal:
Decal removal can vary in difficulty, depending on a few things; the quality of the film to be removed, how long it's been on, if it's weather-beaten, etc. Move along the decal with a hair dryer or heat gun, while at the same time picking the letters or striping off as you go. If there is glue left behind, clean it up with some petroleum naphtha (available at your local hardware store) applied to a rag.

Measuring For Decals:
Measuring for Decals is not difficult, but it does take a bit of common sense. When we refer to overall area, this refers to the imaginary rectangular area that surrounds the particular group of letters you are measuring for. Here are some examples of measurements of overall area:

When you select an overall area, we will make your decal as big as possible, and still fit within the overall area selected. Due to the unlimited possibilities of what you can create, your decal might not fill the entire box. For example, a decal size listed as 12" x 12" might actually measure to 12" x 10.5". We try to come as close as possible to the stated size, but there are cases of slight variance.

Sometimes, you might need to include a minor obstruction within the overall area, but make sure it will fall in a spot that won't interfere with the lettering. Please be aware that doing so might require the decal to be modified before installation. For instance, you can always separate lines or individual letters of a decal before application if you wish.

Measuring for Hood Protector Lettering, Decal Clip Art, and Windshield Lettering. When ordering these Decals, you will be asked for the overall size of decal. Measure an unobstructed area of the installation surface that will accommodate the closest size that we offer. Measuring for Semi Decals, Race Car Decals, and Miscellaneous Single Line Decals. When ordering these Decals, you will be asked for a letter height, and a maximum line length. The program won't let you enter more lettering than will fit within that length.

Vinyl Colors:
It is impossible to get "web safe" computer screen colors to properly match all the colors of our Vinyl. As you may already know, the actual Vinyl colors are far more vibrant than what you see on the screen. We have variety of different colors and styles of vinyl.

Click here to view our color chart!