TRICKS of THE TRADE - SECRETS!
#1
05-23-2007, 06:44 PM
TRICKS of THE TRADE - SECRETS!
I know some individuals wish for this stuff to remain a "Trade Secret" however, I stick to something my mom taight me, KARMA! I always wish for a final result to be as perfect as mine, so here you go everyone. I hope these trade secrets helpyou and youfind them very informational.
DECAL APPLICATION METHODS
1. Clean the area where the decals will be applied with a soft cloth dampened with denatured alcohol or Windex. This will remove any wax, oil or dust particles that will prevent the decal from sticking.
1a. Some decals are easier to apply by using regular ½ inch wide masking tape to create a hinge on one of the edges of the decals application tape layer. This method keeps decal position. Once you've done your measurements and hinged your decal you can flip it over and remove backing.
2. Carefully peel the tape and decal away from the paper backing. Hold the decal in position and stick the top or one side holding the other side up away from the surface. Rub the entire area beginning at the top or side that is on the surface and rub firmly from one side to the other using your fingertips or the sharp edge of a credit card. The decals have a pressure sensitive adhesive the harder you rub the harder it sticks.
3. Remove the application tape by pulling gently in a downward position. If a part of the decal starts to come up away from the surface rub it back down while the tape is still on, then proceed to remove the tape.
Note: The decals will not adhere to a surface that has been waxed. Remove all wax and residue with Windex or denatured alcohol before application. After the decals have been applied, the surface can be waxed over.
Note: Consider how hot the surface is you are applying the decal to. Surface temperature between 70 to 80 degrees is recommended and can be necessary. When surface and outside temp is too hot, decal may stretch and shrivel when attempting to remove application tape.
If you get air bubbles in the decal take a pin or needle and puncture the bubble to release the air. Use your card, squeegee or finger to push air bubble to pinhole.
LARGE FORMAT DECAL APPLICATION
1. For large decal application, hold the decal in position and stick the top or one side in place. Then using the sharp edge of a credit card working your way from top to bottom with firm pressure to prevent any air bubbles.
2. When applying extra large decals we recommend getting someone to hold the decal in position while the other person squeegees it into position. If you are uncomfortable with the process you may consider professional installation at your local sign shop. We can not be held liable to replace decals due to improper application.
WET APPLICATION METHOD
1. Mix up a spray bottle water with a teaspoon of dish soap liquid. Spray the area where decal is to be applied. Trim away the transfer tape so that the tape is roughly ¼ inch larger then the size as the decal.
2. Remove the backing and place the decal, still attached to the transfer tape, to the thoroughly wetted surface. The decal can now be moved and repositioned correctly, as it will slide on the thin film of solution trapped between the vinyl decal and the surface.
3. If you are doing a windshield decal and need to curve the letters Cut the tape between the letters about 3/4 of the way from top to bottom with a knife and position the letters where needed. Do not cut all the way through, this will mess up the spacing between the letters. When the decal is in the final location, use a small squeegee to squeeze the water and soap solution out from under the decal. The transfer tape will protect the decal during this process.
Note: Be sure to squeegee as much solution as possible from under the decal. Take your time, because if not enough solution is removed from under the decal, it will not adhere to the surface enough to allow the easy removal of the transfer tape.
Squeegee tool is recommended, also the water can be removed using your fingers or soft cloth. When finished with the squeegee, the transfer tape can be carefully removed.
4. Work the decal with your fingers and a soft absorbent cloth around the edges to remove any remaining solution.
5. Warm weather is best for all decal applications. If there are bubbles present under the decal that cannot be removed by working them to the edge of the decal with your fingers, then a small pin or needle can be used to puncture the decal at the bubble, and remove the air. A small pinhole will not be seen after the air bubble has been worked out with the fingers.
DECAL APPLICATION METHODS
1. Clean the area where the decals will be applied with a soft cloth dampened with denatured alcohol or Windex. This will remove any wax, oil or dust particles that will prevent the decal from sticking.
1a. Some decals are easier to apply by using regular ½ inch wide masking tape to create a hinge on one of the edges of the decals application tape layer. This method keeps decal position. Once you've done your measurements and hinged your decal you can flip it over and remove backing.
2. Carefully peel the tape and decal away from the paper backing. Hold the decal in position and stick the top or one side holding the other side up away from the surface. Rub the entire area beginning at the top or side that is on the surface and rub firmly from one side to the other using your fingertips or the sharp edge of a credit card. The decals have a pressure sensitive adhesive the harder you rub the harder it sticks.
3. Remove the application tape by pulling gently in a downward position. If a part of the decal starts to come up away from the surface rub it back down while the tape is still on, then proceed to remove the tape.
Note: The decals will not adhere to a surface that has been waxed. Remove all wax and residue with Windex or denatured alcohol before application. After the decals have been applied, the surface can be waxed over.
Note: Consider how hot the surface is you are applying the decal to. Surface temperature between 70 to 80 degrees is recommended and can be necessary. When surface and outside temp is too hot, decal may stretch and shrivel when attempting to remove application tape.
If you get air bubbles in the decal take a pin or needle and puncture the bubble to release the air. Use your card, squeegee or finger to push air bubble to pinhole.
LARGE FORMAT DECAL APPLICATION
1. For large decal application, hold the decal in position and stick the top or one side in place. Then using the sharp edge of a credit card working your way from top to bottom with firm pressure to prevent any air bubbles.
2. When applying extra large decals we recommend getting someone to hold the decal in position while the other person squeegees it into position. If you are uncomfortable with the process you may consider professional installation at your local sign shop. We can not be held liable to replace decals due to improper application.
WET APPLICATION METHOD
1. Mix up a spray bottle water with a teaspoon of dish soap liquid. Spray the area where decal is to be applied. Trim away the transfer tape so that the tape is roughly ¼ inch larger then the size as the decal.
2. Remove the backing and place the decal, still attached to the transfer tape, to the thoroughly wetted surface. The decal can now be moved and repositioned correctly, as it will slide on the thin film of solution trapped between the vinyl decal and the surface.
3. If you are doing a windshield decal and need to curve the letters Cut the tape between the letters about 3/4 of the way from top to bottom with a knife and position the letters where needed. Do not cut all the way through, this will mess up the spacing between the letters. When the decal is in the final location, use a small squeegee to squeeze the water and soap solution out from under the decal. The transfer tape will protect the decal during this process.
Note: Be sure to squeegee as much solution as possible from under the decal. Take your time, because if not enough solution is removed from under the decal, it will not adhere to the surface enough to allow the easy removal of the transfer tape.
Squeegee tool is recommended, also the water can be removed using your fingers or soft cloth. When finished with the squeegee, the transfer tape can be carefully removed.
4. Work the decal with your fingers and a soft absorbent cloth around the edges to remove any remaining solution.
5. Warm weather is best for all decal applications. If there are bubbles present under the decal that cannot be removed by working them to the edge of the decal with your fingers, then a small pin or needle can be used to puncture the decal at the bubble, and remove the air. A small pinhole will not be seen after the air bubble has been worked out with the fingers.
#2
11-14-2007, 11:44 AM
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RE: TRICKS of THE TRADE - SECRETS!
#5
11-14-2007, 09:54 PM
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RE: TRICKS of THE TRADE - SECRETS!
Yeah, You will have a lot of problems trying to get a decal to stick when it is under 50 degrees... The adhesive will do nothing when it is cold out.
#6
11-18-2007, 06:54 PM
RE: TRICKS of THE TRADE - SECRETS!
My buddy owned a vinyl shop and we did a lot of car graphics... Some were on Fast and the Furious.... You gave a great DYI... It is pretty easy to install the graphics yourself, just have to have patience and think it through before you start.