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 12,003]

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

[FarmallFarmer09 22]

Bought them from maple hunter decals 

[JCM 11,146]

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 11,873]

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 2,363]

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 Tuesday at 01:43 AM by Bar Nuthin

[sqrlgtr 2,767]

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?? 56,366]

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 19,874]

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 18,069]

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!  

 

[AlexR 2,860]

I uhh put them on dry... So I just had to get it right the first time.. I forgot about that you can spray them to set them. 

[SylvanLakeWH 31,267]

34 minutes ago, AlexR said:

I uhh put them on dry... So I just had to get it right the first time.. I forgot about that you can spray them to set them. 

Me too... 

[kpinnc 18,069]

5 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Me too... 

 

You guys just do stuff right the first time. 

 

I screw up a half dozen times first, then get it right.  My first attempt at just about anything ends with "Well,... $hit"... 

Edited Wednesday at 04:50 AM by kpinnc

[702854boy 703]

8 hours ago, kpinnc said:

My first attempt at just about anything ends with "Well,... $hit"... 

You ain't alone there, however its usually only if I'm alone

[oliver2-44 11,451]

8 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 My first attempt at just about anything ends with "Well,... $hit"... 

Now that’s a T Shirt or Plaque for all our shops 

[kpinnc 18,069]

7 hours ago, 702854boy said:

You ain't alone there, however its usually only if I'm alone

 

My daughter asked me once why I talk to myself so much. 

 

I told her my grandpaw always said only take advice from the smarter folks... so I talk to the smartest fella around me at the time. 

[jsp_333 291]

I’m planning on redoing my 418-8 and was 

hung up over the whole “how do you get the decals on so they look right” 

 

I was planning on painting/ clear coating  over the old decals to create a template. Then remove the old one put on the new ones. Anybody else tried this and how successful were you?

[SylvanLakeWH 31,267]

3 minutes ago, jsp_333 said:

I was planning on painting/ clear coating  over the old decals to create a template. Then remove the old one put on the new ones. Anybody else tried this and how successful were you?

I would think you will end up with a ridge of paint built up around the new decal?... I'd remove everything, get it all smooth, and just carefully apply the new decal...

[jsp_333 291]

18 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

I would think you will end up with a ridge of paint built up around the new decal?... I'd remove everything, get it all smooth, and just carefully apply the new decal...

Yeah, I’ve decided to abandon the idea. Just discovered all the sanding required after clear coating, so it really wouldn’t make much sense and would probably damage the decals. Soap and water sounds like the way to go.