Racing Number/Sticker Decal Application
How To Apply Vinyl Decals
1.) If you received a large decal that was rolled for shipment it may have become slightly wavy by the time you received it. To remedy this, unroll the decal and lay it face down on a flat surface. Using your hand as a squeegee, beginning in the center of the graphic and working outward, smooth out the waves and any apparent air bubbles. Once this has been done, store the decal on a flat surface until you are ready to apply it.
2.) The most important thing to consider when applying decals, is the type of surface that it will be applied to. Vinyl decals adhere best to hard, smooth, glossy surfaces. Surfaces such as glass, vehicles, most metals, plastic sheets, fiberglass etc. Textured surfaces do not accept vinyl very well and decals should never be applied over latex paint. No matter which type of surface will be used, it is VERY important that the surface be clean and free of defects such as rust and blistered paint! Clean the surface thoroughly with a good quality cleaner. Especially windshields! CLEAN WINDSHIELDS SEVERAL TIMES! Make sure ALL wax, oil, grease, finger prints etc. are removed.
3.) The decal that you received is made up of three parts; the release liner, the vinyl decal and the application tape. The application tape is used to hold the complete decal together, remove it from the release liner and apply it to the surface. If the decal is fairly small, you can remove the release liner and apply it freehand by positioning it and tacking down one end of the application tape. Then, using your thumb as a squeegee and starting from the tacked end, squeegee the decal back and forth onto the surface making sure to force out all of the air. Work slowly so you do not create any air bubbles.
4.) If your decal is fairly large, position it onto the surface and use a few small pieces of masking tape to hold it in place. (See figure 1.) Next, apply masking tape vertically to one end of the decal so it acts like a hinge. (See figure 2.) Remove the small pieces of tape and flip the graphic over and remove the release liner. Hold the loose end up off the surface with one hand and, using a squeegee(a credit card works well) in the other, squeegee downward from the tape hinge working from the vertical center outward. Work slowly until you have squeegeed the full length of the decal. Be careful to not create any air bubbles. Once finished, remove the masking tape hinge.
5.) If you received a very long and narrow decal, position it onto the surface and use a few small pieces of masking tape to hold it in place. (See figure 1.) Next, apply masking tape vertically to middle of the decal and a piece on one end. (See figure 3.) Flip the free end of the decal over and peel back the release liner to the middle piece of tape. Cut the release liner in half and discard it . Hold the loose end up off the surface with one hand and, using a squeegee in the other, squeegee downward from the middle piece of tape. Work from the vertical center outward. Work slowly until you have completely squeegeed the first half of the decal. Once the first half is down, remove the masking tape and repeat the process for the other half of the decal. Be careful to not create any air bubbles.
6.) Now lift one corner of the application tape and remove it by peeling it slowly over itself. DO NOT pull the application tape straight up! Pull it directly, 180 degrees, over itself!
7.) Once the application tape has been removed, check for any air bubbles. If you find one, take a pin and poke a hole through the vinyl at the edge of the bubble. Use your finger or a squeegee to force the air out of the bubble through the pin hole. DO NOT use a knife to make this hole. A knife will make a small cut instead of a round hole and this can cause the vinyl to tear and lift off the surface in the future.
8.) If any part of the design of your decal comes to a very thin, sharp point, it would be best to seal those edges with a small amount of clear paint. Such as clear touch up paint that is sold in most auto parts stores. This will prevent the decal in those areas from lifting over time due to washing, waxing and general use. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Thank you. NOTE: Do not apply vinyl graphics in temperatures below 60 degrees F
