How To Install Your Vinyl Graphics
Storage
Store unapplied graphics in a
clean, dry, cool room. Never subject the graphics material to
moisture, excessive humidity, direct sunlight or temperatures above
100 degrees. Graphics should also be stored flat.
Tools Needed
- Plastic Squeegee, credit
card or driver's license.
- Tape Measure or Ruler
- Masking Tape (1" or wider)
- Marking Pen or Pencil
- Lint-free paper towels
- Plastic Spray Bottle
- Surface Cleaner (409,
Windex, Soap & Water)
Surface Preparation
Before installing any
graphics, you must clean the surface on which the decal will be
applied to. Using a soft cloth, wash the surface thoroughly.
Residual grease, soot or tar should be further cleaned with a
solvent. Be sure to clean the surface several times if it was
extremely dirty when you started. To avoid adhesion problems, be sure
that all liquid has completely dried from under vehicle panel seams
and around rivet heads.
The surface you are applying
the decals to MUST be in a 60 to 85 degree Fahrenheit environment. If
it is too cold the adhesive will not work. If it is too hot the vinyl
becomes extremely flexible which makes it very difficult and at times,
impossible to apply.
Installation Procedures
1. Carefully study
your installation diagram. Measure the location of each graphic
element and tape it into position. Taking this step will ensure that
all of the elements fit properly within the design space.
In planning the installation
sequence of the graphic elements, you will usually work from top to
bottom.
 2. Tape the graphic
into position with small pieces of masking tape positioned at the top
of the graphic. After rechecking your measurements, simply apply
masking tape along the top edge of the graphic. (See FIG. A.) With
this method you can remove the backing gradually as you apply the
graphic.
In a variation of the top
hinge technique, you can cut between large individual letters or
between sections of your graphic so that each letter or section is
independently hinged. (See FIG B.) Remove the sections of backing and
install letter by letter or section by section.
To make a center hinge, apply
masking tape through the middle of the graphic. (See FIG C.)
Using this technique, remove
the backing from one half of the graphic, cutting the backing at the
tape hinge. After you squeegee this section of the graphic, working
from the hinge to the outer edge, remove the hinge and the remaining
backing. Compete the application, starting where the hinge used to be
and working toward the other outer edge.
3. Typically your
first squeegee stroke begins at the center of a graphic. This first
movement is straight to the left and right or up and down, depending
on which procedure you decided to use. (See FIG D.)
All of your subsequent
strokes work off the initial center stroke. Each stroke must overlap
the previous one. You can angle your squeegee slightly away from the
center line. Imagine that you are pushing air out from under the
vinyl. Never angle the squeegee toward the center line...you
will only produce bubbles and wrinkles. Always work from the
center outward.
4. If you need to
reposition the vinyl graphic on the surface give the material a sharp
jerk with a snap of your wrist. This movement should be perpendicular
to the surface.
Never use a slow
pulling movement to reposition the graphic. This will only stretch
the material causing more problems.
5. To remove the
application tape from the graphic, pull the tape against itself at a
180-degree angle. (See FIG E.) Do this slowly.
If the graphic does not stick
to the surface (it stays stuck to the application tape) carefully
place the graphic back onto the surface and squeegee again. After
removing the application tape, be sure to re-squeegee all of your
edges and overlaps. Using your finger or thumb works best for this.
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