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The first step in the process is to make sure that the surface you are applying to, is smooth and clean, free from dust and grease/polish. I use methylated spirits, which will remove road grime and excess polish and dries very quickly. Do not apply the sticker when the surface is very cold or damp, especially when applying to glass.
Patience is the most important thing when applying vinyl graphics, take your time and don’t panic.
Your vinyl graphic stickers will come to you covered in a special film called Application Tape. This is a special covering, which will assist you in applying your graphics to your chosen surface, and when used correctly, will avoid creasing and air bubbles.
The first picture, above, shows a sticker, masking tape and an applicator. Neither the applicator, or masking tape are essential for small stickers, but they do make the job easier, especially on larger graphics. The applicator can be any rigid plastic, such as a filler spreader or credit card, or indeed you can just use your hand.
Apply masking tape along one edge of the sticker as shown in picture 2. I prefer to put it along the top edge, but any edge will do. This then forms a “hinge” for the sticker.
Line up the graphic on the surface you wish to apply it and stick down the masking tape as in picture 3. You can still remove it and re-align it at this stage until you are happy with the position.
The next stage involves removing the backing paper from your graphic. This must be carried out slowly and carefully, gently peeling the BACKING PAPER AWAY FROM THE APPLICATION TAPE, making sure all parts of your graphic stay on the application tape. DO NOT PEEL THE APPLICATION TAPE AWAY FROM THE BACKING PAPER. (When sticking very large signs, it is easier to cut the sign using scissors, once secured by masking tape, towards the masking tape into manageable strips. The application tape and masking tape should ensure perfect alignment when actually applying the graphic.). Remember to keep hold of the application tape until you are ready to stick the graphic in position. See pictures 4 & 5.
Using your chosen applicator, or fingers, slowly and gently smooth the application tape down onto the surface as in picture 6. Hold the end of the application tape furthest from the masking tape hinge to avoid the graphic accidentally sticking down where you don’t want it. If this does happen, don’t panic, as it is often possible to peel the accidentally stuck part, which has not been smoothed down, away from the surface successfully.
Once you have smoothed the whole graphic, gently peel off the application tape as shown in picture 7, making sure that it does not lift any part of your sign.
If you have followed these instructions carefully, you should have a perfect graphic, which is crease and bubble free. Bubbles can often be removed, by piercing the bubble with a pin and smoothing the trapped air out. Creases, unfortunately, are very difficult to remove and should be left. Avoid hard rubbing of the vinyl, as this may tear it.
The signs/graphics/stickers should last for many years if
treated properly. Avoid polishing vigorously and pointing pressure washers at
them directly.
Copyright c signKraft 2004