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Vehicle
Graphics
(Including
cars, vans, caravans, wheel covers etc...)
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Firstly
ensure that the panels are clean, (free from dust,
wax, grease etc.), and try to avoid working in
extremely hot or cold temperatures. If large vinyls
are to be fitted, it may help if two people work
together.
You can either fit the vinyl wet or dry, (see
below.) Wet application should mainly be used
on larger items, or if you are new to the process.
(The water helps to make repositioning easier.)
Dry application is quicker, but much more care
must be taken to avoid air-bubbles etc appearing
in the vinyl.
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Wet
application:
Firstly moisten the panel, either using a spray-bottle
or sponge/non-fluffy cloth etc. (a very slight
amount of mild washing-up liquid can be added
if required, though it's not normally essential.)
Dry application:
No need for any the above!
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Carefully
remove the vinyl graphics by lifting up the 'application
tape' from the 'silicon release paper backing',
(making sure that all the vinyl decals are lifted
up with it), avoiding finger marks on the vinyl
itself. Larger sheets may need two people to work
together. One to hold the application tape/graphics
by two corners, and the other to carefully peel
back the white, glossy silicon backing paper. When
it's nearly all removed the second person should
then take hold of the remaining two corners of the
tape/graphics. It can now be taken over to the vehicle,
keeping it taut as you go, and avoiding fabrics,
clothing etc., otherwise dust and fluff can be attracted
to the static of the vinyl.
(Note: If any parts of the graphic refuses to
lift, simply place the whole graphic (still on its
backing) on a firm surface and rub over the 'application
tape' with your finger nail to press the section
back against the silicon paper. Also see the 'Problem
solving' section below for further details.)
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Tack
the graphics gently on the panel, using a
tape measure at this point if required. If it needs
repositioning, quickly pull it off and try again.
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Once
you are happy with the positioning, start to flatten
it to the surface using a plastic squeegee, firm
credit card or a cloth. It may help if you hold
the vinyl slightly away from the surface as you
proceed. Working from the centre outwards, press
down the vinyl pushing the water/air out towards
the edges. If using the 'wet' method, try to avoid
letting the vinyl slide about as you are working.
When fitting decals over moulded panels, feed the
vinyl in to follow the contours. If the graphics
need to be fitted over door edges etc., just temporarily
ignore the fact when flattening them ... once the
application tape is removed, any vinyl which goes
over the gaps can simply be slit with a craft-knife
and moulded into the seams. (See the 'Problem
solving' section below for further details.)
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If
fitted dry, the application tape can now
be carefully removed by peeling away from the panel
at 180 degrees, (flat on itself.) Note: If
fitted using the 'wet application' method,
you may need to wait for quite a while before removing
the application tape. (It is impossible to give
a precise timescale as no two situations are the
same. Cold temperatures, inticacy of the design,
and even the brand /concentration of any added washing-up
liquid can all have an affect on the drying-time.
It's best if you can check every so often to see
if the application tape can be carefully removed.
If the graphics have not yet adhered to the panel,
then it will need to be left longer.)
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Once
fitted, check for any water/air bubbles. If they
won't push out, use a pin or scalpel blade to carefully
pop them, then squeeze out the water/air. (Note:
It's always best to prick one edge of the bubble,
rather than the centre. You can then push the water/air
out towards the pinhole.)
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Job
done!
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If
fitted using the 'wet application' method, please
drive with caution for a short while, or preferably
leave the vehicle parked-up until totally dry.
Please do not wash or polish vehicle for at least
one week.
(Thereafter,
normal washing can be done, but care must always
be taken, especially with dusters and sponges, around
the decal edges.)
If using a steam-cleaner, always
keep the nozzle a reasonable distance away from
the graphics, and preferably point it directly at
them [90 degrees] - rather than on an angle. (This
helps to prevent water from being forced sideways
under the vinyl.)
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Problem
solving:
Air
bubbles
Vehicle rivets
Door edges
Vehicle panels
Problems
lifting the vinyl from the silicon release backing
Notes
on removal of old decals
Air
bubbles:
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any air bubbles are present, and they won't
push out, use a pin or scalpel blade to carefully
pop them, then squeeze out the water/air.
(Note: It's always best to prick one edge
of the bubble, rather than the centre. You
can then push the water/air out towards the
pinhole.) Use the back of your finger nail
to re-flatten the bubble area. Repeat the
pin-prick method if required. |
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Vehicle
rivets:
If
you come across any rivets, or similar, whilst
fitting your graphics, the following method
can be used to enable a neat finish:
After flattening the surrounding area, push
the vinyl towards the rivet with your finger
until you end up with a small air bubble.
Carefully make two or three pin-pricks through
the vinyl, around the rivet, and use the squeegee,
firm credit card or your finger nail to press
the vinyl into the edges of the rivet - pushing
any air out towards the pin-holes. (Try
to avoid splitting the vinyl during the process.)
(Though not essential, it can sometimes help
if some heat is applied to the surface by
means of an electric heat gun or hot hair
dryer.) If fitted using the 'wet application'
method you may need to wait a while for it
to dry before getting a satisfactory result.
(Always take care when using any heat against
paintwork and glass. Keep the heat gun well
away from the surface - and also be careful
not to overheat your own fingers!) |
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Door edges:
If
you encounter any door edges whilst fitting
your graphics, just continue for the time-being
as if they weren't there! Flatten the decals
to the surface and carefully remove the application
tape as described in the above 'fitting
instructions'.
Now you need to press the vinyl gently into
the gap with your finger, and then carefully
cut down either side of the door edges, (letting
the craft-knife blade be guided downwards
by the door edges themselves - taking care
not to scratch any paintwork of course),
so that you are left holding a thin strip
of vinyl - which can then be discarded. Flatten
the newly cut edges of the vinyl with your
finger again.
(Though not essential, it can sometimes help
if some heat is applied to the surface by
means of an electric heat gun or hot hair
dryer.) If fitted using the 'wet application'
method you may need to wait a while for it
to dry before getting a satisfactory result.
(Always take care when using any heat against
paintwork and glass. Keep the heat gun well
away from the surface - and also be careful
not to overheat your own fingers!) |
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Vehicle
panels:
It's
always best to try to avoid fitting the vinyl
graphics over 'deep' vehicle panels, but sometimes
it is necessary. Should such an occasion arise,
the following guide may come in useful:
Flatten the decals to the surface and remove
the application tape as described in the above
'fitting instructions'.
Now you need to gently press the vinyl
into any panel edges and mouldings using your
finger or thumb. If it's just a shallow ridge,
the vinyl should mould quite easily. But if
it is quite deep, you may need to apply some
gentle heat, using an electric heat gun or
hot hair dryer. This softens the vinyl allowing
it to be moulded more easily.
(Always take care when using any heat against
paintwork and glass. Keep the heat gun well
away from the surface - and also be careful
not to overheat your own fingers!) |
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Problems lifting the
vinyl from the silicon release backing:
On
very rare occasions, especially after the
graphics have been stored for quite a while
before fitting, the vinyl lettering may not
lift up from the silicon release backing sheet
straight away. This is easily overcome by
doing the following:
Place the graphics (still on the backing sheet)
on a firm surface, (facing upwards), and press
the decals down using a squeegee, firm credit
card or cloth, by using firm strokes over
the application tape. This gives the application
tape an extra hold ready to lift the graphics.
If you still seem to be having a problem,
carefully turn the complete sheet over, so
that the graphics are now facing downwards.
Now remove the silicon release backing from
the application tape/graphics, (pressing down
any stubborn areas as you go.) Once the silicon
backing is removed you will be left with the
graphics, on the application tape, (sticky-side
up), ready to be fitted to your required surface. |
Notes on removal of
old decals:
Use
an electric heat gun or hot hair dryer to
gently warm the vinyl to be removed,
taking care not to overheat any glass or painted
surfaces etc. Carefully lift one corner
of the vinyl, using a blade or window-scraper
etc., and peel away the vinyl. Repeat on all
required sections until completely removed.
Any slight glue residue left behind can easily
be removed using a 'Tar and Glue Remover',
(which is available from most car accessory
shops), or white spirit.
Important: Please
take care when using the extremely hot heat
guns, especially where glass, paintwork and
other similar surfaces are concerned. They
are quite safe and efficient to use, providing
care is taken. Always hold the heat gun 'well
away' from the surface, and your own hands,
while you work. Just enough warmth to allow
the vinyl to be softened is all that is necessary.
Always handle heat guns with care and keep
them away from children. Also always allow
them time to cool down afterwards before storing
away. |
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These
instructions, as well as any others on this site,
are merely intended as a guide to fitting our various
products. Although we endeavour to be as efficient
as possible with our instructions, and include as
many details as we can, we cannot be held responsible
for any problems, damages or indeed injuries, which
might occur. As with all DIY projects, the person
or persons carrying out the work is/are held responsible.
( Terms
and Conditions )
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