twohlix
05-15-2008, 10:52 AM
Difficulty: EASYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Time: Varies but expect 5+ minutes + Drying Time
This "mod" is very simple, it requires a dry, not cold, workplace and a couple of other things:
Vinyl Stickers
A Spray Bottle of Water
Soap (Liquid Hand/Dish/Baby shampoo)
A lint free clean cloth (I used an old tshirt)
A Credit Card/Drivers License (hard plastic about that big)
OPTIONAL: Razor Bladehttp://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers01.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers01.jpg)
Figure out where you want to put the stickers on your car. See how it fits and whatever, but don't stick on it yet!
Step #1 - Clean Clean Clean!!!!
This is the most important step! First you have to clean everything off of that spot (I know this is pretty much against everything DirtyImpreza stands for, but for long lasting stickers, clean that part of the car). Remove every piece of dust, lint, bird poop, dried mud, etc... Then dry the spot and make sure once again that it is free from dirt/grime. A dirty application surface will cause the sticker to bubble and crack just a few days after application. Cleaning the surface will make your sticker 'live' a long, beautiful life.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers17.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers17.jpg)http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers20.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers20.jpg)http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers28.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers28.jpg)
Step #2 - Applying The Sticker
So once you have the clean and dry spot, prepare some soapy water. This soapy water should be a drop or two of dish soap to a quart of water. This will let you move the sticker around a bit once it is on there for more perfect sticker placement.
Get the area where you're going to put the sticker wet. I use a piece of masking tape at one end of the sticker to act as my third hand and hold the sticker in place while I'm applying it. So with the backing still intact on your sticker, place it on the wet surface where you want it and tape one end.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers32.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers32.jpg)
Next, wet the sticker and start peeling the backing away while pressing the sticker to the surface. Take your time here and make sure everything is straight. I was impatient at this point, combined with the fact I didn't use soapy water and my sticker ended up with a slight angle in the middle of it (I was nervous of the wasps/bees in the area). Spray some water on the sticker once you have it on there and press the sticker down firmly. Remove the masking tape.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers37.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers37.jpg)
Step #3: Squeegeeing - Bubble Removal
Now get your credit card/driver's license. Spray the area with just water to dilute the soap, you don't want the sticker moving around when you're squeegeeing it.
Squeegeeing is simple, press the card down at an angle and move the card toward the edge of the sticker. Don't squeegee toward the center. You're trying to remove the bubbles from the vinyl sticker, not put creases in it.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers49.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers49.jpg)
Find bubbles in the sticker (you can see them through the top layer) and push them out to the edges of the vinyl. They should move easily while the sticker is wet. If you find a really stubborn one, make note of it, we'll come back to it. Keep squeegeeing the other bubbles out of the vinyl.
Optional Step, aka Step #3.5: Removing Stubborn Bubbles
So you got rid of all the bubbles except this one that just won't come out? I believe you, now go get your razor blade / needle. We're going to pop it. That is all, just pop it and remove the air by pushing on it with the cloth.
Step #4: Dry the sticker.
Dry the sticker using your cloth, but don't rub it. I like to press down on the sticker perpendicular to the surface, because the sticker wont move or crease then. Dry the area around the sticker too. You're done with this sticker for the next half hour. Go do something else, enjoy a drink, replace a headlight, race your friend on your bicycle, etc...
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers58.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers58.jpg)http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers60.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers60.jpg)
Step #5: Peel the Top Layer Away
Make sure your sticker is dry and start peeling the top layer away, slowly and carefully around lettering. Pull close to the surface so the top layer doesn't make a 90 degree angle with itself. You want a very sharp corner so the vinyl doesn't get pulled up with it. If any lettering gets pulled up, press the top layer back down onto it firmly and wait a bit. Try again. TA DA!!! You have a new sticker.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers71.jpg
Optional Step, aka Step #5.5: Crossing Gaps
If your vinyl sticker crosses a gap its now time use your razor blade. Cut the vinyl BEFORE you remove the top layer. After you remove the top layer, pinch the vinyl around the edge of the gap.
Step #6: Don't Wash Your Car
After applying a vinyl sticker, don't wash your car for at least a day. Try to avoid driving in rain for at least a few hours afterwards too. The violence of water at 50+mph can remove the vinyl sticker before the adhesive has had time to set chemically. Treat your vinyl sticker nice for a few days and they should last a long time.
Aaron so graciously sent me two stickers so I could do a writeup for my site. The writeup is located at: http://twoguysrally.com/2008/05/13/how-to-install-vinyl-stickers/
I've realized that taping in the middle of the decal probably would have worked better. This would have required a razor blade but I wouldn't have ended up with such an improperly applied sticker. I'll do that next time and add to this guide.
Once again, thanks Aaron. You run a neat site;-). Oh a video is coming too. DUN DUN DUNNNNNN.
Time: Varies but expect 5+ minutes + Drying Time
This "mod" is very simple, it requires a dry, not cold, workplace and a couple of other things:
Vinyl Stickers
A Spray Bottle of Water
Soap (Liquid Hand/Dish/Baby shampoo)
A lint free clean cloth (I used an old tshirt)
A Credit Card/Drivers License (hard plastic about that big)
OPTIONAL: Razor Bladehttp://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers01.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers01.jpg)
Figure out where you want to put the stickers on your car. See how it fits and whatever, but don't stick on it yet!
Step #1 - Clean Clean Clean!!!!
This is the most important step! First you have to clean everything off of that spot (I know this is pretty much against everything DirtyImpreza stands for, but for long lasting stickers, clean that part of the car). Remove every piece of dust, lint, bird poop, dried mud, etc... Then dry the spot and make sure once again that it is free from dirt/grime. A dirty application surface will cause the sticker to bubble and crack just a few days after application. Cleaning the surface will make your sticker 'live' a long, beautiful life.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers17.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers17.jpg)http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers20.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers20.jpg)http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers28.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers28.jpg)
Step #2 - Applying The Sticker
So once you have the clean and dry spot, prepare some soapy water. This soapy water should be a drop or two of dish soap to a quart of water. This will let you move the sticker around a bit once it is on there for more perfect sticker placement.
Get the area where you're going to put the sticker wet. I use a piece of masking tape at one end of the sticker to act as my third hand and hold the sticker in place while I'm applying it. So with the backing still intact on your sticker, place it on the wet surface where you want it and tape one end.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers32.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers32.jpg)
Next, wet the sticker and start peeling the backing away while pressing the sticker to the surface. Take your time here and make sure everything is straight. I was impatient at this point, combined with the fact I didn't use soapy water and my sticker ended up with a slight angle in the middle of it (I was nervous of the wasps/bees in the area). Spray some water on the sticker once you have it on there and press the sticker down firmly. Remove the masking tape.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers37.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers37.jpg)
Step #3: Squeegeeing - Bubble Removal
Now get your credit card/driver's license. Spray the area with just water to dilute the soap, you don't want the sticker moving around when you're squeegeeing it.
Squeegeeing is simple, press the card down at an angle and move the card toward the edge of the sticker. Don't squeegee toward the center. You're trying to remove the bubbles from the vinyl sticker, not put creases in it.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers49.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers49.jpg)
Find bubbles in the sticker (you can see them through the top layer) and push them out to the edges of the vinyl. They should move easily while the sticker is wet. If you find a really stubborn one, make note of it, we'll come back to it. Keep squeegeeing the other bubbles out of the vinyl.
Optional Step, aka Step #3.5: Removing Stubborn Bubbles
So you got rid of all the bubbles except this one that just won't come out? I believe you, now go get your razor blade / needle. We're going to pop it. That is all, just pop it and remove the air by pushing on it with the cloth.
Step #4: Dry the sticker.
Dry the sticker using your cloth, but don't rub it. I like to press down on the sticker perpendicular to the surface, because the sticker wont move or crease then. Dry the area around the sticker too. You're done with this sticker for the next half hour. Go do something else, enjoy a drink, replace a headlight, race your friend on your bicycle, etc...
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers58.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers58.jpg)http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/thumb_how_to_install_stickers60.jpg (http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers60.jpg)
Step #5: Peel the Top Layer Away
Make sure your sticker is dry and start peeling the top layer away, slowly and carefully around lettering. Pull close to the surface so the top layer doesn't make a 90 degree angle with itself. You want a very sharp corner so the vinyl doesn't get pulled up with it. If any lettering gets pulled up, press the top layer back down onto it firmly and wait a bit. Try again. TA DA!!! You have a new sticker.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk271/twohlix/how%20to%20install%20vinyl%20graphics/how_to_install_stickers71.jpg
Optional Step, aka Step #5.5: Crossing Gaps
If your vinyl sticker crosses a gap its now time use your razor blade. Cut the vinyl BEFORE you remove the top layer. After you remove the top layer, pinch the vinyl around the edge of the gap.
Step #6: Don't Wash Your Car
After applying a vinyl sticker, don't wash your car for at least a day. Try to avoid driving in rain for at least a few hours afterwards too. The violence of water at 50+mph can remove the vinyl sticker before the adhesive has had time to set chemically. Treat your vinyl sticker nice for a few days and they should last a long time.
Aaron so graciously sent me two stickers so I could do a writeup for my site. The writeup is located at: http://twoguysrally.com/2008/05/13/how-to-install-vinyl-stickers/
I've realized that taping in the middle of the decal probably would have worked better. This would have required a razor blade but I wouldn't have ended up with such an improperly applied sticker. I'll do that next time and add to this guide.
Once again, thanks Aaron. You run a neat site;-). Oh a video is coming too. DUN DUN DUNNNNNN.