Performing the Sticker Install
- Gather materials
- Clean application surface thoroughly with soap AND water
- Use masking tape to secure sticker (Fully Intact) to surface
- Use water (optional: and soap) to wet sticker
- Peel backing of sticker away slowly WHILE pressing sticker flat to surface
- Pull, do not push, the vinyl sticker to fine tune your placement (with top layer intact, this requires soapy water)
- Squeegee bubbles out of vinyl (top layer still must be intact)
- Wet the sticker down with just water, and squeegee again
- Let the sticker dry (help it by removing excess water)
- Remove the top layer slowly and at a diagonal angle (if the sticker comes with it, press it back down and wet a tiny bit more, let it dry)
I recently installed stickers from DirtyImpreza.com. Aaron, the mastermind of the site, sent me over the stickers and I think they look really good. This became the perfect opportunity to write up a How-To, Thanks Aaron.
The Steps Performed
I gathered a spray bottle of water, some dish soap (hand soap works too!), an old bank card (drivers license would work), an old shirt, masking tape and the stickers. You could also use a razor blade for the install (to remove stubborn bubbles and to cut stickers at gaps.
Next I started cleaning the surface where I wanted to apply the sticker. This is the most important part of the process. An unclean surface will result in many bubbles in the sticker and peeling. Peeling is the death of a vinyl graphic. Anyway, I sprayed the surface down with water and used a couple drops of dish soap on my fingers to clean the surface. For a bigger decal I would suggest a bucket with some soap and water in it. I then dried and scrubbed the surface with my old t-shirt (lint free because its been used so much!).
I placed the sticker onto the surface where I wanted it, then taped one edge of it with masking tape. The masking tape holds the sticker where I want it and acts as a third hand when peeling the sticker backing away. I wet the sticker down and removed the backing of the sticker starting first from the edge I taped. I kept applying pressure to the sticker while slowly peeling the back away.
I squeegeed bubbles out of the vinyl sticker, wet the sticker with just water and then squeegeed again. The top surface doesn’t matter so I focused on the vinyl, as should you. At this point you could use a pin or razor blade for any stubborn bubbles in the vinyl, but I didn’t have any. I removed the excess water with the worn out t-shirt by pressing and no rubbing! I was a bit impatient while applying the sticker and ended up with a slightly curvy decal, but I think it looks fine.
Let the vinyl dry for 30 or so minutes. Come back and peel the top surface of the sticker away, slowly and carefully. If the vinyl comes with it, put it back on the surface and wet it a little again, let it dry and retry. If you cross any gaps, cut and pinch the vinyl around the edge.
The key to having a long sticker life on the car is making sure the surface you’re applying the sticker to is dirt/dust free. Give it a good cleaning, any dirt specks will show up as bubbles on the stickers. Also, do not use Clorox and Lysol and stuff like that as it keeps the stickers from sticking to the surface and you will get peeling stickers. Happy Stickering!
Why Apply Stickers?
Because they add Horsepower DUH! Actually, they dont, infact they just add weight. However the weight they add is usually worth more than their weight in Gold. You’re putting your sponsor’s stickers on your car so they get some advertising for giving you whatever they gave you. Or you can tell everyone who looks at your car what you like (Like Colin McRae, DirtyImpreza or Team O’Neil).
May 13th, 2008 |
