If you ask any vinyl manufacturer or
application expert what is the most common mistake people make in the vinyl the installation process, then you will get the same answer every time: inadequate
preparation of the substrate’s surface.
Applying your new vinyl decal is very easy to do, and can be done to may surfaces or items.
- Clean and dry application surface very thoroughly. Use
rubbing alcohol or a water/vinegar mix, do not use Windex.
- Use your application tool (credit card or squeegee) to
rub the decal first to be sure it sticks to the application tape. If its
cold outside this will be very important, you may even want to hit gently
with a hairdryer to get the adhesive going again
- Peel the backing off of your vinyl decal; to do this,
grasp the vinyl paper backing and slowly separate it (at an angle) from
the decal.
- Carefully place the vinyl decal in position (can use masking tape to hold in position) and use the application tool (credit card or squeegee) to remove any air trapped between the vinyl and the surface. To do this press the application tool to the glass and move it from one side to the other until all air bubbles are removed.
- Remove the adhesive transfer paper on the vinyl decal.
Use your fingernail and start peeling it back; once it is started, grasp
the paper with your fingers and pull it slowly (at an angle) until it is
completely removed.
Large Vinyl Decal / Hood Vinyl Decal Application
- Clean and dry application surface very thoroughly. Use rubbing alcohol or a water/vinegar mix, do not use Windex.
- Use your application tool (credit card or squeegee) to rub the decal first to be sure it sticks to the application tape. Do this on a flat surface.
- Use masking tape along the top to place the decal where you wish it to be.
- Use masking tape across the middle of the decal
(vertically or horizontally) to hold the decal in the middle to the wall
(surface).
- Peel the backing off of your vinyl decal from one side
or bottom to the middle point held by the tape; to do this, grasp the
vinyl paper backing and slowly separate it (at an angle) from the decal.
- Use scissors to cut away this backing paper, keeping
the application tape and decal away from the wall.
- Slowly, while holding the application paper tight, use the application tool to push the decal onto the surface. Working from the center out.
- When this is done remove the center tape and remove the other portion of the backing paper. Again keeping the application tape and decal away from the wall.
- Repeat STEP 7 for this section.
- Use your application tool to go over the entire decal now, center outward, making sure bubbles are removed.
- Remove the adhesive transfer taper off the vinyl decal.
Use your fingernail and start peeling it back; once it is started, grasp the taper with your fingers and pull it slowly (at an angle) until it is completely removed. You may need to rub some more with your application tool as you go. GO SLOW
- Some surfaces may have a slight texture, you may wish to go back over the decal with your finger to smooth the decal within the texture.
Special Note for Metallic Vinyl Decals!
Metallic vinyl (silver, gold, and copper) is a bit different than other vinyl. They are a bit thinner and thus can tear easier, treat with care. They also have a tendency to not like to stick to the transfer tape. Extra rubbing may be needed as you remove the backing paper, SLOWLY!
Troubleshooting Decal Application and Removal:
My decal will not peel off the paper backing:
Lay the decal face down on a
hard flat surface and use a squeegee or the sharp edge of a credit card and
Press firmly across the surface of the decal. This will press the vinyl
material onto the application tape so you can peel it away from the paper
backing and apply your decal.
My
decal won’t stick to the window or surface:
Make sure the surface is as
clean as possible. Residue from car wash soap and wax, products like Rain-X,
and rainwater mixed with oil and gas residue from the road can all prevent your
decal from sticking. We recommend cleaning the glass with rubbing alcohol or
ammonia-free window cleaner. Other surfaces can be cleaned with soapy water.
Make sure the surface is completely clean & dry before you apply your
decal.
Some
decal pieces keep peeling up when I try to remove the application tape:
Use a squeegee or the shape edge of a credit
card and press the decal firmly on the surface. It may help to leave the decal
on the surface for several minutes before you try to remove the application
tape. Peel the application tape away at an angle If some pieces don't adhere
and start to come off with the transfer tape, push the application tape with
the pieces back down on the surface and apply more pressure to the area, then
continue removing the transfer tape.
There
are bubbles in my decal:
First, make sure you have
removed the clear application tape on top of the decal. Only the vinyl pieces
should be left on the surface. Small bubbles under the vinyl material usually
dissipate in a couple of days. If you have large bubbles in the vinyl material,
you can use a needle to puncture the vinyl so the air can escape as you press
the material down.
Decal Removal Instructions
How to remove a decal on a
window.
1. Clean the decal or sticker
and the area surrounding it. To clean the decals or stickers, you can use warm
soapy water and a cleaning cloth. Clean the area around the decal or sticker
properly where you want to remove so that no grit or grime interferes with the decal’s adhesive-busting ability.
2. Warm it up. Using a hot
hairdryer or heat gun this will help make the vinyl more flexible and help
release the adhesive making removal easier.
3. Scrape up under the window
sticker. When the decal or sticker is heated up, you can scrape up under the
sticker with a flat edge razor blade or plastic scraper tool at an angle and
begin to peel it away. Do not use a razor blade on painted surfaces.
4. If there is the adhesive
residue left, you can use window cleaner, soapy water, or an adhesive remover
from your local automotive or discount store. Please read all warnings and
instructions carefully. Some adhesive removers can damage plastic and painted
surfaces.
How to remove a decal from a painted surface
such as the body of your vehicle.
1. Clean the decal or sticker and the area surrounding it. To clean the decals or stickers, you can use warm soapy water and a cleaning cloth. Clean the area around the decal or sticker properly where you want to remove so that no grit or grime interferes with the decal’s adhesive-busting ability.
2. Warm it up. Using a hot
hairdryer or heat gun this will help make the vinyl more flexible and help
release the adhesive making removal easier.
3. Scrape up under the window
sticker. When the decal or sticker is heated up, you can scrape up under the
sticker using a plastic scraper tool while holding at an angle and begin to peel
it away. Do not use a razor blade on painted surfaces. Once the vinyl is heated
it becomes more supple and can be peeled off.
4. If there is an adhesive
residue left, you can use window cleaner, soapy water, or an adhesive remover
from your local automotive or discount store. Please read all warnings and
instructions carefully. Some adhesive removers can damage plastic and painted
surfaces.