Before You Apply:
The first step to applying any graphic is to clean your vehicle. To ensure that
the graphics adhere properly, without the risk of failure, thoroughly clean the
vehicle.
Note:
- If you take the vehicle to the car wash, it is important to make sure the vehicle
is completely dry before applying the graphics. This may mean allowing the vehicle
to dry indoors overnight before applying.
- If grease, oil, wax or other contaminants are present, wipe the substrate with a
solvent such as Prep-Sol or Xylol. Then do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol
(IPA) to make sure that no oily residue from the other solvents is left behind.
- When cleaning the vehicle with IPA, we recommend using two lint free towels. One
towel should be soaked with IPA which is used to loosen and clean off the contaminants
(dust, dirt, wax, etc.). The second towel should be dry and used to wipe away the
excess IPA before it has a chance to evaporate. It is also important to pay special
attention to cleaning the cracks and crevices of the vehicle where contaminants
generally build up. For these areas, I recommend wrapping an IPA soaked towel around
a squeegee to get down into the crevasses as shown here.
Caution:
- Before using any solvent on a vehicle, be sure to test in an inconspicuous area
to ensure the solvent won't damage the vehicle's paint.
Temperature:
Temperature plays an important role in how well a vinyl sticks to a substrate. Vinyl
manufacturers generally recommend the temps be in the range of 50-90F with 70-80F
being the optimum range. Whenever possible, try to apply graphics indoors in a controlled
environment. Not only will this help you control the temperature, it will also reduce
the amount of wind, dust and other contaminants you have to deal with. It is important
to monitor both the ambient and surface temperature as both can have an effect on
your application. Higher temperatures will make the film soft and more pliable (which
can be nice if you are an experienced installer). However, the high temperature
also makes the adhesive more aggressive which can lead to pre-tack (this is where
the film adheres to the substrate prematurely) and increased stretching if you try
to reposition the film. Lower temperatures, on the other hand, will make the film
more rigid and reduce the tack of the adhesive.
Applying the Graphics:
It is much easier if you have a second set of hands to help with positioning the
film during the application process, so two people should be involved.
- First,
wrap the hood.
Position the graphic and tape it into place. Since the hood isn't perfectly flat,
you cannot follow the standard process of starting at the top and working your way
down. In this case it will be easiest to start near the center and work your way
up; then go back and work down. Keeping the squeegee at a lower angle and taking
your time helps me avoid wrinkles.
In curved areas, you may begin to see some small wrinkles that look like "crows
feet". Keeping the squeegee at a sharp angle will help. Don't chop at the material
this will only make the wrinkles worse. If the wrinkles get too bad, use heat to
relax the film and get rid of the wrinkles. Be sure to let the film cool down before
starting to squeegee again (this will prevent excess stretching). Keep working applying
in small strips at a time until it is finished.
Once the hood graphic is applied the film must be trimmed before going on to the
next piece. When trimming out graphics you must take care not to cut the paint.
For this piece, trim the material flush with the edge of the hood. It is not recommended
to leave excess film and wrap around the edge of the hood as this will be a potential
point of failure in the future.
- Next,
you will apply the side panel.
Doing one long horizontal panel will help to eliminate seams in your graphic. You
may not want to use this method on hot day because you will be removing all of the
liner and will need to continually reposition the material during the application
process. If the temperature is too high, you are at risk of pre-tack and stretching
the film.
Again, it is possible to apply a graphic of this size with just one person, but
it is definitely easier with two. Once you position the material, you will remove
the liner and lightly tack the film to the car. You will then position the film
to distribute it evenly on the surface. Next, you will place your first squeegee
stoke along the length of the car. Apply the lower half of the panel; then work
on the upper portion of the panel.
- Then,
when you reach the wheel well area, trim out the excess material.
This helps to relieve excess tension on the material, and it makes the graphic easier
to handle. The same goes for the upper panel in the hood and trunk areas where there
is excess film.
As you near the front and rear bumpers it is necessary to take additional time and
work the film to avoid wrinkles. It may be necessary to use heat to relax the film
and continue to work the film into the contour of the vehicle. Remember: The trick
here is to take your time and not overheat or over-stretch the film.
- Finally,
you should go back and trim the material around the moldings and door panels.
Even though the film looks good in these areas at the time of installation, it is
possible that some excessive stretching may have occurred and trimming the vinyl
in these areas will prevent any tenting. It is also a good idea to go back and look
for any air bubbles you may have missed while squeegeeing the material into place.