Surface Prep

The substrate or surface you are going to apply your vinyl to must be free of dust, dirt, grime, and in the case of vehicles wax. Especially the WAX! Wax can be removed with a number of different products. Bug and Tar remover, mineral spirits, Prep-Sol, denatured alcohol, and others work well. Check at your local automotive store to see what they recommend. Whatever you choose, make sure to test it in a small inconspicuous spot first.

In the case of installing vinyl onto glass, use a non streak formula window cleaner. Rubbing or denatured alcohol works well on glass too. If Rain-X or other similar glass treatments have been used on the glass, they must be removed in order for the vinyl to adhere properly. Failure to do so may make installation difficult and may greatly shorten the life span of the vinyl. Contact the manufacturer if you are unsure how to safely remove their products for vinyl installation.

Test for adhesion using masking tape. Apply a piece to the substrate. If it falls off or is peeled off very easily then more prep work needs to be done to the surface in order for the vinyl to adhere properly.

We cannot be held responsible or liable for and damage to vinyl lettering or graphics that are damaged or destroyed by windshield wipers or by the act of scraping ice.

Vinyl is easily applied to flat surfaces or surfaces with a simple curve. Installing vinyl on a surface with compound curves is not recommended for inexperienced installers.
If you are unsure of your ability to successfully install your vinyl, take it to a local sign shop and have a professional install it for you. Once applied, you cannot remove and reuse or reposition it.
 

 Temperature

The weather and temperature can play an important role in applying vinyl. The manufacturers recommend temperatures between 50°f - 90°f  Try to avoid applying vinyl in direct sunlight on warmer days. If your vehicle has been in the sun for a while, let it cool off in the shade first before beginning the application. It is best to get the vehicle in a sheltered spot from the weather - wind can wreak havoc on even the most simple graphic or lettering installation. Never attempt to install vinyl outside in the rain. The water will ruin graphics if it soaks through the backing material. If this happens the backing will stick to the vinyl when it is peeled up with the masking sheet.

If you must install in temperatures below 50°f, use a hair dryer or heat gun to gently heat the area of application. Apply the vinyl and apply heat just before peeling the masking.
 

 Installation

Using small tabs of masking tape, tack the graphic to the intended surface . This is to insure proper placement before the liner is removed. You can align by temporarily removing a tab of tape, and measuring to body lines or other reference points then stick the tape tab back down once the vinyl is in the correct position.
 

Apply a single horizontal strip of 2" masking tape to the top of the graphic. The strip of should be split between the graphic and the intended surface with 1" on each side (as shown). This strip will be used as a hinge that will insure the graphic does not move during the application process.

Hold the bottom edge of the hinged graphic away from the intended surface and remove the liner to reveal the sticky backing of the vinyl. Save this piece of liner for use later in the application process.

CAUTION: Do not let the exposed graphic touch the intended surface. The back of the graphic is very tacky and will tightly adhere to the surface.

If the placement is not correct, removing the graphic for re-placement will be very difficult or impossible without causing damage to the vinyl.

To assist in proper placement, spray the intended surface with the mixture of Rapid Tac. (This coating of water reduces the tackiness of the vinyl, letting you lift and re-place the graphic if necessary.)

Note: This step is only recommended for graphics larger than 12” tall and 24” wide

While still holding the hinged graphic away from the intended surface. Using the squeegee and starting from the top, begin to marry the graphic to the intended surface.
Notes: Work from top to bottom. Do not let the entire graphic fall onto the intended surface. If lines or creases develop, lift and re-place the graphic.

Once the graphic is in proper position and lying perfectly flat on the intended surface, you can now start forcing the water out from beneath the graphic. Starting from the center working outward, use firm strokes with the squeegee to force the water out from beneath the individual letters or elements contained in your graphic.

After all letters and elements have had most of the water squeegeed out from beneath them, it is time to remove the pre-mask from the graphic and reveal the final product. To remove the pre-mask without difficulty, spray with RapidTac or a water and soap mixture and wait a minute or two for the pre-mask paper to become soggy. Gently remove the pre-mask. Be careful not to pull the graphic up with the pre-mask paper. Note: this method of spraying the masking does not work on the clear, plastic-type masking.

 Bubbles

You may get a few bubbles in your application. This is fairly common and is nothing to worry about, but it is important that you remove them. If large bubbles are left un-popped the adhesive behind them will dry up and the vinyl will not adhere. Eventually, the vinyl where the bubble is will fall off.
It is important to NOT push the bubble down in an attempt top make it disappear. Instead, use an air release tool or a sharp needle and gently puncture the film inside the bubble toward an edge and press the air out from the opposite side. If it is a very large bubble, make a couple of punctures. If the bubbles are smaller than 1/8” in diameter you do not have to pop them. They will go away on their own. Be patient, it may take several days.
Try to place the vehicle where the sun can shine directly on the bubble area. Within no time the film will start to shrink (this is normal) and the air will migrate out.
If you are applying two-color vinyl graphics where one color is layered on top of another, you WILL get bubbles. They will appear all along the bottom layer’s vinyl where it meets with the top layer. Use the methods described above and again, don’t worry about the smaller bubbles.

 Continue on to 104 - After installation care.

Is there something we missed? Feel free to contact us and ask.