You can use custom decals to make your car stand out, let your opinion be heard or advertise your business.While many retailers can apply custom decals to your vehicle for you, doing the application yourself can save you money and give you more control over exactly where and how the decals are placed.It is important to be patient when applying custom decals to your car.Pay attention to the small details in order to create a great looking final product.
Step 1: Pick a location on the car.
You need to know the location of the car you want to place the decals on.You will need to plan for applications that extend over gaps for large decals that may extend onto multiple body components.Determine if the decals will fit in the area you want them placed in.
Step 2: The decals should be placed on the vehicle to measure.
If you want to know if the decals will fit in your area, hold them up against the vehicle.This will show you how the decals will look and where to put them.As you hold it against the vehicle, leave the protective backing on the decals.Before backing into the vehicle, make sure it is dry.
Step 3: A tape measure can be used to help center the decals.
If you use a tape measure, you can get a sense of where you want the decals to go.If you are placing decals on the same side, make sure they are at least three points away from the body of the car to make the placement match.Measure the distance from the trunk lid to the door.
Step 4: You can mark the location with masking tape.
Measure out exactly where you want the decal to sit, tear off small pieces of masking tape and place them at each corner of where the decals will be applied.You can use the masking tape as a guide when applying the decals.The paint on the vehicle will not be damaged by masking tape.
Step 5: Clean the area.
Once the area is determined, use a soft cloth and mild cleaner on the car's surface.It is a common choice to rub alcohol in order to clean the area.If you use masking tape as a guide, do not simply spray the cleaner onto the car.If the decals stick to the car, apply cleaner to a rag.
Step 6: Do not use a cleaner that leaves a film on the car.
Windex and spray on cleaner-waxes leave a residual that is intended to help maintain shine.The decals will not stick to the vehicle if this is not changed.Rub alcohol or basic car wash soap on the area.If you use car wash soap, rinse the area thoroughly.
Step 7: Allow the area to be dry.
You can either dry the area with a towel or allow it to air dry before moving on, because decals won't stick to a wet surface.If you want to avoid damaging the paint, use a cloth.Wait for the surface to be completely dry before applying the decals.
Step 8: The backing needs to be peeled off.
You can either remove the entire backing or just a portion of it at a time.If the backing is larger than your forearm, you may want to peel it off to make it easier to apply.The backing can be removed from decals that are a few inches long.Larger decals that will stretch the length of the vehicle should only be peeled off at a time.
Step 9: The corner of the exposed decals needs to be applied to the car.
As you apply the corner of the decals to the vehicle, use the tape on the car as a guide.Press the corner into the vehicle firmly, then use a straight edge tool such as a credit card to press more of the decals down in a controlled manner.As you press the decals into the vehicle, keep them pulled tight.When using a straight edge tool, make sure you apply pressure over the entire decal, which will force out small bubbles.
Step 10: Remove the backing as you go.
As you peel the backing off the vehicle, you can see more of the decals.If you want to keep the decals straight, you need to remove the backing a few inches at a time.As you peel back the backing, keep applying the decals to the car.
Step 11: Transfer tape should be left on the decals while it dries.
If you want to remove the transfer tape immediately after pressing the decals into the car, it is best to leave it for a while.It is much easier to remove the transfer tape if you wait 30 minutes.The transfer tape will be easier to remove if the decals are allowed to sit in the sun.It is not advisable to use a heat source such as a hair dryer to speed up the process.
Step 12: The transfer tape needs to be removed.
After thirty minutes, peel the transfer tape off.While watching for any areas that may peel back with the transfer tape, peel the tape back slowly.If the decals begin to peel off with the tape, you can peel it away from another angle.Don't tear the decals while removing the transfer tape.Slow, steady movements are the best way to prevent damage.
Step 13: You can use a credit card.
You can see the decals on the vehicle if the transfer tape is removed.It's normal to have some bubbling in the decals.To remove some of the bubbles, you can use a credit card or other flat tool to push the bubble toward the edge.If you press a sharp edge into the decal, it may tear it.The small bubbles will disappear on their own.