Decal/Sticker Size Method

Small to Medium Graphics Dry Installation Or Wet Installation

Large or Oversize Graphics (i.e. Body Graphics Kits, Windshields) Wet Installation for Body Graphics

What is a Decal or Vinyl Graphic Sticker?
Application Tape - use to hold the decal together.
Vinyl Transfer - the decal/sticker
Adhesive - the sticky part of the decal
Release Liner - the paper backing that is peeled off first when installing.

Wet Installation Method for Body Graphics

The most widely used and dependable method and the method we recommend. A home made water based application solution is used to help install the decal. The application solution is applied to the sticky side of the decal making it temporarily semi-sticky. This greatly helps in the positioning and re-aligning of the decal until you’re satisfied.

Some required materials, a full listing below.

Required Materials:
1. Spray bottle or Bucket container and a clean sponge.
2. Dishwasher liquid soap.
3. Water
4. Razor
5. Scissor
6. Squeegee
7. Blow dryer or heat gun (preferred)
8. Some type of measuring device (to ensure an even installation on both sides)
9. Tape
10. Pin – to poke out air/water bubbles.
And a friend or two to help with the application process.

Clean the vehicles surface. Trim the body graphics kit with scissors.
1.) Fill spray bottle with water until full, with 2 drops of dishwashing liquid or until its semi slippery. If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can use a regular bucket. Fill with water and put a small amount of dishwashing liquid or until its semi slippery. Use a clean sponge to apply the solution on the car or the vinyl.
TIP: If the decals start to stick before they are aligned, spray more water on the graphics or put more soap in the solution. Do not over soap; you’re not doing a car wash. Water does not affect the adhesive of the vinyl or the shape of the vinyl.
2.) Clean the surface of the vehicle.
3.) Plan where to install your graphic. You can hold the decal with tape to the vehicle to give you an idea of where it’s going to go. Visualize where the decal should go. Use tape to hold the graphics.
4.) Spray and wet the entire area of vehicle that is going to receive graphic with water solution.
5.) Slowly peel-off the paper backing off the vinyl graphic.
TIP: As you peel the vinyl from backing, spray the adhesive side of the vinyl. This will keep the vinyl from sticking to itself while handling it. This will not affect the adhesiveness of vinyl. Take off paper backing. Apply solution on both the car and the graphics.
6.) Once the backing is off, wet the tacky part of the sticker thoroughly with the water solution. Both the vehicle and the sticker should be wet.
Note: Use plenty of liquid to keep them from sticking to fast, re-apply if need be. Slowly take off the rest of the paper backing. Apply water solution while peeling off.
7.) Place the sticker on the vehicle where you want it and slide it into position.
8.) Now squeegee out the water and bubbles so vinyl can stick and form to the car. Make sure to wet the top (non-tacky part) of the graphic too before using the squeegee. This will help decrease the friction and ease in the removal of the Application Tape. The graphic on the car with the application tape. All paper backing are now removed. Squeegee out the water and bubbles.
9.) You can use the heat gun to speed up the dying process. But be careful, too much heat can shrink and destroy the vinyl. Once the graphic has stick on the car. Carefully peel off the Application Tape of the decal. Peel off application tape. Take out water and bubbles with use of squeegee. If possible use vinyl protector sleeve to avoid scratches. Install the shadow pieces if your kit has them. Install with water solution one by one.
10.) Trim all edges, hood, doors, etc. of excess vinyl with razor. Use razor to cut between doors, gas door, etc. Use heat gun to speed up drying process. Use Xacto razor to trim edges.
11.) Use heat gun to carefully dry and tuck in edges. Use dryer to seal edges Finger or squeegee can be use to tuck in vinyl.
12.) Use the sewing pin to prick any bubbles to release trapped air/water under the graphic.
13.) Dry car carefully and let sit for 24 hours before washing, waxing, or driving in inclement weather (rain/snow/freezing temp). Your vehicle is still drivable; the decals will not fly off. Let dry and we’re done.
14.) On the next few days, check all of the edges for lifting, if any lifting exists rub over them with your finger or with the help of the heat gun/dryer.

Installation Tips
1.) Temperature affects vinyl. Your full body graphics kit should be applied at room temperature. Too much heat will turn vinyl into shrink-wrap. Cold vinyl is stiff and hard to work with. When applying full body graphics in hot weather, allow vehicle to cool down in a shaded area before applying, we suggest working indoors in a clean working area.
2.) Cleanliness is the key to a long lasting installation. If there’s even the smallest grain of dust, it will cause bumps or air pocket. Your car should be cleaner than it’s ever been before installing.
3.) Avoid water on the paper backing of the vinyl, it will become soggy and will stick to the decal resulting in a damaged vinyl.

Dry Installation Method
A quick way of installing decals. It’s as easy as peeling of the paper backing and applying the decal on the surface. The drawback to this method is that if you make a mistake, sometimes it’s irreversible to undo since the adhesive is strong on vinyl compared to regular tape causing it to stretch the vinyl out of shape.

Wet Installation Method for Small to Medium Decals
As said earlier, this is the most dependable method of installing decals. A home made water based application solution is used to help install the decal. This greatly helps in the positioning and re-aligning of the decal until you’re satisfied. The application solution is applied to the sticky side of the decal making it temporarily semi-sticky.

Required Materials:
1. Spray bottle or Bucket container and a clean sponge
2. Dishwasher liquid soap.
3. Water
4. Squeegee (optional)
5. Blow dryer or heat gun (preferred)
6. If needed, some type of measuring device (to ensure an even installation)

1.) Fill spray bottle with water until full, with 2 drops of dishwashing liquid or until its semi slippery
TIP: If the decals start to stick before they are aligned, put more soap in the solution. Do not over soap; you’re not doing a car wash.
2.) Clean entire surface thoroughly. Clean surface area. Spray wet solution to surface and sticky side of graphics.
3.) Plan where to install your graphic. You can hold the decal with tape to the surface to give you an idea of where it’s going to go.
4.) Spray and wet the entire area of surface that is going to receive graphic with water solution.
5.) Slowly peel-off the paper backing off the vinyl graphic.
TIP: Spray with the solution the adhesive side of the vinyl. This will keep the vinyl from sticking to itself while handling it. This will not affect the adhesiveness of vinyl.
6.) Once the backing is off, wet the tacky part of the sticker thoroughly with the water solution. Both the surface and the sticker should be wet.
7.) Place the sticker on the surface where you want it and slide it into position.
8.) Now squeegee out the water and bubbles. You can even use your fingers. Make sure to wet the top (non-tacky part) of the graphic too before using the squeegee. This will help decrease the friction and scratches when using squeegee.
9.) Carefully peel off the Application Tape of the decal. Squeegee out water and air bubbles. Peel of top application tape. Let dry and we’re done!
10.) Let the graphics dry. Use blow dryer or heat gun to speed up the drying process. Be careful, too much heat can shrink and destroy the vinyl.