Adding a vinyl graphics kit to your car is fairly simple and an inexpensive mod that will make a dramatic change to how your car looks. Car decals consist of three layers. The first or top layer of the decal is the piece that holds the entire application together until it is installed on a car. The middle layer is the actual decal that adheres to the car and the bottom layer is the wax backing that preserves the adhesive.
Items You Will Need:
Vinyl Graphics
Store Bought Application Fluid or Spray Bottle With Soap Water
(Mix 1 teaspoon of mild soap with 1 gallon of water)
Paper Towel Roll
Step By Step DIY Instructions:
1. Completely clean the outside of your car or the decal application area to remove any grease or dust particles that may prevent the decal from sticking to the surface. Make sure when you dry the car that you use a lint free cloth.
- Never use harsh ammonia based cleaning products (i.e. Window Cleaner), they will cause your decals to bubble and peel a few weeks after application.
2. Test fit the decal on your car to figure out exactly where you want to apply the graphic with all 3 layers intact.
3. Use your spray bottle to wet the area where you are applying the sticker. Make sure there are no dry areas.
4. Peel the wax paper backing off of the decal to expose the adhesive side and spray lightly with the soap water mixture. Do not peel the top layer off just yet.
5. Put the sticky side of the decal to the surface of the car where you want it applied. Slide the decal around gently to make any adjustments until it is properly placed in the area you selected. Be careful not to rip it.
- We recommend when applying larger graphics that you recruit a friend or two to help so avoid putting creases into the vinyl.
6. Using your squeegee, work all of the fluid and bubbles from the vinyl starting at the center and working your way out to the edges. Repeat the process a couple of times if necessary to get all of the soap water and trapped air from underneath the decal.
7. With the decal on your car, now spray the entire sticker to neutralize the glue. Squeegee it again to remove any remaining air pockets or fluids.
8. At this point, take a break. The decal needs to remain on your car for approximately 1/2 hour to a full hour depending on how warm it is outdoors. If you do not have time for the decal to dry on it's own, you can use a blowdryer on a low setting on the decal. Once it has dried, remove the top application layer peeling it straight up to reveal the decal. If the vinyl peels off when removing the top layer, go back to step 6. Make sure you do not try to remove the remaining layer until it is dry again.
9. With the vinyl on your car, trim any edges with excess vinyl using a sharp tool such as a razor. To tuck the edges around doors and gas caps, use a blowdryer to dry first and then pinch the edges to form it into place.
10. To ensure that you got all of the air bubbles from underneath the decal, you should give it one more good spray and run your squeegee over the decal one last time. Although you can drive your car without fear of the decals flying off, we suggest you wait 24 hours before washing, waxing or driving through rain/snow.
