There are several methods to applying decals. When you receive your decal it will be covered in a masking tape like application tape. This tape is meant to hold the letters/design in position when the decal is removed from the wax paper backing.
A Note about Domed Lettering
If you are installing domed lettering please use the Dry Method Only. Due to the raised domed coating it is very difficult to properly remove all of the fluid from under the lettering during a wet installation. This is also the case with
Rapid Tac.
A Note about High Tack Adhesive
If you are installing high tack adhesive please use the Dry Method Only
Surface Requirements
We will not warranty, repair or refund vinyl that is attached to an unacceptable surface
Acceptable surfaces
- Glass
- Boats (with factory gel coat)
- Metals (Must be painted with a smooth, glossy enamel.)
- Vehicles (Must be painted with a smooth, glossy enamel.)
- Fiberglass (Must be painted with a smooth, glossy enamel.)
- Wood (Must be painted with a smooth, glossy enamel.)
- Other Painted Surfaces (Paint must be smooth and glossy, vinyl will not stick to oxidized, faded, or peeling paint)
Not Acceptable
- Cement
- Raw Lumber
- Oxidized or faded paint
- Peeling paint
- Rubber
- Inflatables (non textured) acceptable if high tack adhesive is selected
- Raw Metals
- Oily Surfaces
- Primer Painted Surfaces
- Rough Gel Coat (on boats)
- Low Energy Plastics (such as found on some kayaks, waverunners, canoes, and other power sports equipment) acceptable if high tack adhesive is selected
- Textured non smooth surfaces, such as paneling found on house boats
- Surface coatings such as wax or ceramic coating
We recommend cleaning any newly waxed surfaces with denatured alcohol (where the graphic is to be applied).
Temperature Requirements
Lettering should never be installed when the outside ambient temperature is below 50°F (10°C). If the surface is too hot to touch, it is too hot to install vinyl lettering also. This generally indicates in excess of 90°F.
Newly Painted Surfaces
Applying vinyl over a freshly painted surface? You need to wait at least 30 days before doing so. This allows the paint to out gas properly along with fully curing.
Standard Vinyl Installation Video
Domed Lettering Installation Video
How to Measure Properly
It is important to measure correctly to align your graphic properly on your surface. First, never measure from the backing paper. In most cases the backing paper (edge of the paper) is cut by hand and is certainly not going to be perfectly
straight! Always measure from your graphic!. Although not applicable to all of our fonts, most fonts we sell can be measured from the base or the top of the capital letters to determine a straight line. Script style fonts can be more
challenging as they don't have a well defined baseline. Often we recommend reviewing your order confirmation to get a visual reference for aligning those. If you have any questions about where to measure your graphic please let us know!
Cleaning
Cleaning is an important step before installing your lettering. Rapid Tac is a suitable pre cleaner. Other suitable options would be window cleaner or denatured alcohol. The idea is to remove any particulates or oils from the surface before installation.
Dry Method
Items needed: Masking tape, credit card
- Important! During shipment the application tape (light adhesive paper on top of your graphic) may lift and form tunnels or appear to be wrinkled. It is very important to lay your graphic flat and squeegee down the
application tape before installation. If the mask doubles over or forms wrinkles it will not affect installation. This freshens the bond of the application tape to the vinyl lettering. During shipping the adhesion may loosen so this step is critical
to have a successful installation.
- Position your decal where you want it to be, often it helps to trim directly to the edge of the decal with scissors. Once positioned, using your masking tape, tape the upper portion of the decal to the surface. Be sure to cover the entire top of the
decal and allow the masking tape to run over the top also along with the sides.
- Lift the decal up from the bottom, flip it completely over. You should now be looking at it upside down, peel the backing paper off starting from end the masking tape is on. Peel it down till 1/2 of the decal is exposed.
- Starting at the top with your credit card making sweeping motions from left to right, then right to left moving down slowly down the decal. As you progress continue to peel off the backing paper till none is left.
- Finally SLOWLY peel the application tape off of the surface leaving your decal.
Wet Method
Items needed:Credit Card or Squeegee, Ideally you purchased rapid tac application fluid but Water and dish soap(in a spray bottle) work. Do not perform the wet method if your base vinyl color is chrome mirror, aluminum sheet, or gold leaf replica (we
are relaying the manufacturer recommendation).
- Important! During shipment the application tape (light adhesive paper on top of your graphic) may lift and form tunnels or appear to be wrinkled. It is very important to lay your graphic flat and squeegee down the
application tape before installation. If the mask doubles over or forms wrinkles it will not affect installation. This freshens the bond of the application tape to the vinyl lettering. During shipping the adhesion may loosen so this step is critical
to have a successful installation.
- Position your decal where you want it to be, often it helps to trim directly to the edge of the decal with scissors. Once positioned, using your masking tape, tape the upper portion of the decal to the surface. Be sure to cover the entire top of the
decal and allow the masking tape to run over the top also along with the sides.
- Lift the decal upwards and spray beneath it where it will be applied. Use a generous amount of water. Lift the backing off slowly starting from the masking tape side and lay the decal on the surface. Slowy squeegee out the water from beneath the decal.
- Lastly, spray the decal with water and allow a minute for it to soak in. This loosens the bond of the mask and will allow you to remove it. Depending on how much water you used, the vinyl will not have adheared to the surface very well yet, don't
worry, it will once it drys, so be careful removing the mask.
Butterfly Method
- Important! During shipment the application tape (light adhesive paper on top of your graphic) may lift and form tunnels or appear to be wrinkled. It is very important to lay your graphic flat and squeegee down the
application tape before installation. If the mask doubles over or forms wrinkles it will not affect installation. This freshens the bond of the application tape to the vinyl lettering. During shipping the adhesion may loosen so this step is critical
to have a successful installation.
- Clean surface thoroughly with alcohol or acetone.
- Tape the graphic into position.
- Measure and adjust location of the graphic.
- When you have the graphic in the position you desire, tape down the center of the graphic.
- Lift one side of the graphic and separate the application tape from the backing paper. Using scissors, cut away that half of the backing paper.
- Hold the application paper away from the surface, keeping it slightly slack and squeegee outward from the center . Press firmly using overlapping strokes.
- Discard center strip of masking tape and lift remaining side of graphic. Remove the backing paper and squeegee outward from the center.
- Squeegee the entire graphic again pressing hard.
- Remove the application tape by pulling it back over itself.
- Eliminate any air bubble with a pin and more the air out with your finger or squeegee.
Caring for Your Lettering
Take care when washing the surface your lettering is applied to. Avoid harsh chemicals and wash the area around the lettering gently to avoid lifting the edges. Avoid washing immediately after installation as it takes vinyl lettering up to 48 hours to
achieve a full bond.
Waxing is not recommended or necessary. The process of waxing will haze domed lettering and will easily damage non domed letters (lift edges). In order to get the longest life out of your lettering, do not wax!
If you have applied your high tack adhesive to a non textured inflatable keep in mind it cannot be deflated without damaging the lettering.
