Muzikman
03-03-2010, 01:47 PM
Vinyl Sticker Install Help
Here are a few steps to help you install vinyl stickers.
1. Prepping the surface.
---a. Make sure the surface is clean. Remove all wax, rain-X, dirt, lint or other coatings. Use grease cutting cleaner like 409. Wipe area with rubbing alcohol (you can also use regular glass cleaner).
---b. Dry area with a clean cloth or paper towel. Be sure the towel does not leave behind and pieces.
---c. Make sure the temperature is between 60ºF and 80ºF. Do not apply the decal in direct sunlight and the surface should not be hot to the touch.
2. Prepping the sticker.
---a. Make sure the sticker is in good shape. Make sure there are no rips in the vinyl. Some stickers need to be folded in half for shipping. This will always be done in open spaces between the vinyl. The vinyl it’s self should not be creased. Be sure the decal is not stored in a hot place or in direct sun light. If you do not plan on applying the decal for some time after purchasing it, store it in a cool dry place.
---b. Lay the sticker on a hard, flat, smooth surface (a table) with the wax paper side down. Using an applicator (credit card will work) rub the surface to make sure the decal is properly stuck to the transfer tape.
3. Applying the Sticker.
---a. Before peeling off the wax paper backing, position the sticker on the surface. Use a strip of masking tape along the top of the sticker to hold it in place. Make sure that it’s level by using a ruler or tape measure and measure off a window edge or straight body line. Remember to measure off the decal it’s self and not the paper backing as it may not be cut straight.
---b. Once the decal is positioned correctly, lift up the sticker so that it hinges on the strip of masking tape at the top. Carefully remove the wax paper backing, making sure the vinyl stays on the transfer tape. If some of the vinyl is staying on the backing, reapply the backing in that area and rub the surface with the applicator (credit card) or your finger nail. Be sure to not let any of the exposed vinyl or transfer tape stick to the surface until you are ready.
---c. Once the backing is removed, starting at the top, start to apply the sticker, slowly working your way down. Use the applicator to rub the surface and work out any air bubbles. Once the vinyl touches the surface, you will not be able to remove it.
---d. Once the sticker on, rub the surface with the applicator making sure to pay close attention to small pieces and sharp corners in the decal.
---e. Slowly peel the transfer tape off. You may run the surface with the applicator as you remove it to make sure the vinyl sticks to the surface. If a piece of the vinyl pulls up, reapply the transfer tape in that area and rub it with the applicator and try again.
---f. Once the transfer tape has been removed, look for any bubbles. These can be removed with the tip of a razor blade or pin. Just poke a hole in the center of the bubble and with the applicator work the air out. If it’s a large bubble, work your way around it so the air can escape through the hole.
4. Care and Maintenance.
---a. You can wash, wax and even rainX the area you applied the decal.
---b. When washing (or cleaning windows) pay close attention to small pieces or pointed edges of the decal. These can get caught on the cloth, towel or squeegee you are using and peel up.
---c. If you live in a colder climate, be careful and avoid the decal with ice scrapers.
5. Removing.
---a. When you are ready to remove your vinyl decal use a heat gun (hair dryer) and scraper (razor blade). Heat the area you are trying to remove with the heat gun while you scrape the sticker off. If it’s old and brittle it will come off in flakes. If it’s newer, you might be able to peel it off in larger pieces.
---b. Once the vinyl is off, remove the adhesive with a product like Goo-Gone. Be sure it’s safe for the surface before using.
---c. Clean area with rubbing alcohol and wash / was as normal.
Here are a few steps to help you install vinyl stickers.
1. Prepping the surface.
---a. Make sure the surface is clean. Remove all wax, rain-X, dirt, lint or other coatings. Use grease cutting cleaner like 409. Wipe area with rubbing alcohol (you can also use regular glass cleaner).
---b. Dry area with a clean cloth or paper towel. Be sure the towel does not leave behind and pieces.
---c. Make sure the temperature is between 60ºF and 80ºF. Do not apply the decal in direct sunlight and the surface should not be hot to the touch.
2. Prepping the sticker.
---a. Make sure the sticker is in good shape. Make sure there are no rips in the vinyl. Some stickers need to be folded in half for shipping. This will always be done in open spaces between the vinyl. The vinyl it’s self should not be creased. Be sure the decal is not stored in a hot place or in direct sun light. If you do not plan on applying the decal for some time after purchasing it, store it in a cool dry place.
---b. Lay the sticker on a hard, flat, smooth surface (a table) with the wax paper side down. Using an applicator (credit card will work) rub the surface to make sure the decal is properly stuck to the transfer tape.
3. Applying the Sticker.
---a. Before peeling off the wax paper backing, position the sticker on the surface. Use a strip of masking tape along the top of the sticker to hold it in place. Make sure that it’s level by using a ruler or tape measure and measure off a window edge or straight body line. Remember to measure off the decal it’s self and not the paper backing as it may not be cut straight.
---b. Once the decal is positioned correctly, lift up the sticker so that it hinges on the strip of masking tape at the top. Carefully remove the wax paper backing, making sure the vinyl stays on the transfer tape. If some of the vinyl is staying on the backing, reapply the backing in that area and rub the surface with the applicator (credit card) or your finger nail. Be sure to not let any of the exposed vinyl or transfer tape stick to the surface until you are ready.
---c. Once the backing is removed, starting at the top, start to apply the sticker, slowly working your way down. Use the applicator to rub the surface and work out any air bubbles. Once the vinyl touches the surface, you will not be able to remove it.
---d. Once the sticker on, rub the surface with the applicator making sure to pay close attention to small pieces and sharp corners in the decal.
---e. Slowly peel the transfer tape off. You may run the surface with the applicator as you remove it to make sure the vinyl sticks to the surface. If a piece of the vinyl pulls up, reapply the transfer tape in that area and rub it with the applicator and try again.
---f. Once the transfer tape has been removed, look for any bubbles. These can be removed with the tip of a razor blade or pin. Just poke a hole in the center of the bubble and with the applicator work the air out. If it’s a large bubble, work your way around it so the air can escape through the hole.
4. Care and Maintenance.
---a. You can wash, wax and even rainX the area you applied the decal.
---b. When washing (or cleaning windows) pay close attention to small pieces or pointed edges of the decal. These can get caught on the cloth, towel or squeegee you are using and peel up.
---c. If you live in a colder climate, be careful and avoid the decal with ice scrapers.
5. Removing.
---a. When you are ready to remove your vinyl decal use a heat gun (hair dryer) and scraper (razor blade). Heat the area you are trying to remove with the heat gun while you scrape the sticker off. If it’s old and brittle it will come off in flakes. If it’s newer, you might be able to peel it off in larger pieces.
---b. Once the vinyl is off, remove the adhesive with a product like Goo-Gone. Be sure it’s safe for the surface before using.
---c. Clean area with rubbing alcohol and wash / was as normal.