Decal help

[FarmallFarmer09 22]

Just picked up a fresh sheet of stickers for my charger 12. Whats the best way to apply them ive heard soapy water and squeegee it out or just stick em on there, what do yall recommend?

[ri702bill 11,968]

If you bought them from Terry - @Vinylguy - why not ask him what he recommends.....

[FarmallFarmer09 22]

Bought them from maple hunter decals 

[JCM 11,139]

Spray the CLEAN surface liberally with Non - Ammonia Windex . apply the decal and remove all the air bubbles from between surface and decal.

[c-series don 11,866]

DO NOT try to put them on without soapy water or using @JCM’s recommendations. A credit card works good to squeeze out the air bubbles and excess soapy water. Putting them on wet allows you to move the decal around to the exact spot you want it. 

[Bar Nuthin 2,358]

If they're going over a fresh paint job, it's important to sand any dust nibs out of the paint with some fine wet-sand paper (like 1000 grit).

I applied my neighbor's decals dry, but I have 50 years of bodywork experience.

If you're not sure, use the soapy water (just a little soap in a spray bottle of water) technique with a squeegee (use a squeegee wet or dry). Also helps if you keep your fingers wet when handling the decal.

I've installed my share of Trans Am chickens! A clean smooth surface is the #1 priority.

 

Edited 19 hours ago by Bar Nuthin

[sqrlgtr 2,711]

the last ones I installed where for an 857 and I didn't use any soapy water. They were the same size hood decals @Bar Nuthin has pictured above. Had no problems but can see how the soapy water would help if you got in trouble applying them and had to readjust your decal.. They came from @Vinylguy (a sponsor here) and I highly recommend him.

[WHX?? 56,278]

Those guys are full of it ... best way to put them on is order two sets. Take the first set and crumble them up and toss them. Take the second set and give them to @Achto and pay him to be your friend and he'll put them on ... 

[wallfish 19,838]

Clean Clean Clean the area with rubbing alcohol. You can't clean it too much

Position the decal leaving the paper on the back. Use painter's masking tape on the longer top side to hold it in perfect position. Now it can't move and keeps them from sliding.

Flip up the decal that's hinged by the tape, spray the entire area with Windex ( When it dries it doesn't leave any soap residue behind.)

Remove paper backing and carefully roll the decal back down and squeegee any air bubbles and Windex out. Squeegee from the center out to the edges on large decals but WH decals are small. Then remove the tape and protective cover paper. Rub the decals with a soft rag pushing down to ensure every possible area and the edges adhered well. 

You can probably find some good videos on youtube.

 We used to do car decals, lettering and pin strips for car dealers professionally back in the day. Think of those big Firebird decals on the hoods. Also did my own van lettering quite a few times.

 

[kpinnc 17,998]

I spray both the surface and the back of the decals with Windex. This allows you to move the decal around very easily. 

 

And if it starts to grab, peel it back and spray it again. The Windex evaporates overnight so you can't use too much. 

 

When you finally get it where you want, a squeegee works but isn't required. I just rub it down with a folded microfiber cloth from the center towards the outside with light pressure. Never had a single bubble to work out. 

 

I have some of Terry's decals that were installed 20 years ago that still look great. None have ever turned loose!