How To Install Vinyl Decals

There are two main types of vinyl/decal installation methods, and both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Dry Installation and Wet Installation

The most common way to install vinyl/decals is using the dry method. The dry method will ensure that your decal stays adhered to your car. The reasoning behind this is that there is no risk of soapy water getting trapped between the vinyl decal and the car’s surface, leading to peeling or water bubbles. The only drawback to the dry installation method is you have only one chance to do the installation properly leaving no room for errors. Once the vinyl is applied to the car, it cannot be removed without ruining the vinyl. Proper preparation and measuring are required to have a successful installation.

The other method of installing your decal is the wet installation method. The benefit of using this method is you can adjust the position of the decal multiple times to get the desired position as long as the decal and car are still wet. The downside is that if you do not get all the water solution out from under the decal, your decal could peel or have water bubbles.

Before you start watch out for these:

1. Do not install your decal in direct sunlight. It is ideal to install vinyl inside or in a clean space.
2. The temperature is recommended to be 10 degrees celsius to reduce stretching or other undesired effects.
3. Do not store your vinyl in the sunlight.

Materials Needed

– Squeegee
– Tape (painters tape or masking tape)
– a non ammonia-based glass cleaner
– Tape Measure
– Scissors
– Paper towel

Preparation

Remove all dirt and contaminants from the surface of the car before you install your decal. You would also remove wax from car washes, turtle wax, rain-x, etc. Your new decal will not adhere properly if you do not have a clean surface.

Warning! Do not use ammonia-based cleaner. It will gas out for weeks and create air bubbles under your decal.

STEP 1.

Inspect your vinyl for any damages. Place vinyl on a table, and while using a squeegee, press firmly over the vinyl ensuring the pre-mask has properly adhered to the vinyl/decal. Once finished, place your vinyl on the surface of the car (pre-mask up and liner on the surface)

STEP 2.

Place pieces of tape on top of the pre-mask and the cars surface to hold the decal in place. Use a tape measure to make sure your decal is lined up correctly. Once in place, put a long strip of tape across the decal in the center, creating a hinge. Remove the tape from one side of the decal and the car, creating a hinged ‘flap.’

STEP 3.

Raise the hinged ‘flap,’ and begin to peel the liner off the decal (NOT THE PRE-MASK) exposing the sticky side of the decal. Only peel the “liner” from the vinyl until you reach the tape that crosses the entire decal.

DO NOT ALLOW THE ADHESIVE PART OF THE VINYL TO TOUCH THE SURFACE OF THE CAR.

Using the scissors, cut away the peeled liner near to the hinge crossing the decal. Do not allow the scissors to touch the vinyl as it may accidentally stick, causing the decal to peel off the pre-mask.

STEP 4.

While using your squeegee and starting in the center of your hinge, begin to apply the sticky side of the decal to the car’s surface. Use horizontal strokes to apply the vinyl evenly. Continue laying the decal from top to bottom with long horizontal strokes ensuring the decal has securely stuck to the surface of the car.

STEP 5.

Place a long piece of tape parallel to the current piece of tape that crosses the vinyl on the vinyl side that you just stuck to the surface of the car. Then remove the original long piece of tape that crossed the decal. This will secure the vinyl so you can remove the final piece of liner. Also, remove the corner bits of tape. Gently peel the liner off, exposing the sticky side of the decal. Once again do not allow the glue part of the vinyl to touch the surface of the car.

STEP 6.

Using your squeegee and starting from the middle where your tape crosses the vinyl, begin to apply the final adhesive side of the decal to the car. Use horizontal strokes to apply the decal evenly. Continue smoothing out the vinyl from top to bottom with long horizontal strokes ensuring the decal has securely adhered to the surface of the car.

STEP 7.

Remove the last piece of tape. Go over the vinyl with a squeegee, with increasingly harder strokes assuring the vinyl has securely adhered to the vehicle surface. Slowly begin removing the pre-mask covering the decal. Keeping a close eye while removing the pre-mask, making sure no portion of the vinyl is still attached to the pre-mask.

Once the pre-mask is removed do a visual inspection ensuring the decal has adhered to the vehicle surface.

Wet Installation

Before you start watch out for these:

Materials Needed

– Squeegee
– Spray Bottle (with soapy water)
– Glass cleaner (NOT AMMONIA BASED)
– Tape Measure
– Paper towel

Preparation

Warning! Do not use ammonia-based cleaner. It will gas out for weeks and create air bubbles under your decal.

STEP 1.

Inspect your vinyl for any damages. Place vinyl on a table, and while using a squeegee, press firmly over the vinyl ensuring the pre-mask has properly adhered to the vinyl/decal.

DO NOT ALLOW THE ADHESIVE SIDE OF THE DECAL TO TOUCH THE SURFACE OF THE CAR.

Use the spray bottle to generously spray the surface of the car where your decal will be placed. Then liberally spray the soapy water onto the adhesive side of the decal as well.

STEP 2.

Place the vinyl (sticky side down) on to the surface of the car. While the vinyl is wet, you can measure and adjust the location of decal without damaging it. Once in place, go over the vinyl with the squeegee with firm strokes pushing the water out and assuring the decal is stuck to the car. Repeat this a few times until you remove most of the water from underneath the decal. Try not to move the vinyl during this step.

STEP 3.

Depending on the temperature, wait between 30 minutes to an hour, allowing the vinyl to dry and securely stick to the car.

STEP 4.

Once the vinyl is dry, start peeling off the pre-mask from the vinyl. If the decal begins to peel off the pre-mask, re-apply vinyl with a squeegee and wait about 30 minutes before attempting to remove the pre-mask again.

STEP 5.

Now that the pre-mask is removed do a visual inspection ensuring the decal has adhered to the vehicle surface. Allow a couple of days in the hot sun to allow the decal to cure before washing or waxing.