- Terminology -

The waxy paper that the vinyl is stuck to is called the backing paper. The thin tape on top of the vinyl, similar to low tack masking tape, is called the premask.

- Dry application method -

Clean the surface to be lettered. Wash with soap and water, and dry. Now clean With isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and a clean paper towel

Temporarily tape the graphic in position and determine level or how you want the graphic to fit.  (pay attention to the body lines or rocker panel on a vehicle- body lines are no longer necessarily level)

When you have the graphic as you want it- run a strip of tape across the top to form a hinge.

Flip the graphic up on the hinge and peel the backing paper away from the top (hinge side) and double it back- the double-over will hold the vinyl away from the surface as you pull gently downward..

Start squeegeeing at the very top with 1″ strokes, overlapping as you move down and pull the backing paper a few inches at a time, and repeating the squeegee strokes until the whole graphic is stuck to the panel. Remove the premask by peeling it back at a 180 angle. Pull carefully and keep an eye on the graphics as they are uncovered- if any parts pull loose from the surface- roll the premask back down and resqueegee.

The adhesive on the vinyl takes 24 hours to set up fully- longer in cold weather. Wash the graphic only by hand for that period. We do not recommend high pressure (touch less) car washes or pressure washers at any time on your vinyl graphics.

Congratulations- your graphic should be looking’ good with no bubbles.

- Wet application method -

You will need a spray bottle full of water- add 2-3 drops of dish-washing detergent and mix.

Clean the surface to be lettered. Wash with soap and water, and dry. Now clean with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and a clean paper towel

Temporarily tape the graphic in position and determine level or how you want the graphic to fit.

(pay attention to the body lines or rocker panel on a vehicle- body lines are no longer necessarily level)

If possible, use the tape as a hinge and flip the graphic so the backing paper is facing out and then remove the backing paper. You can now spray the sticky side of the vinyl and the area of the surface that will be contacted when the graphic is hinged back down with the soap/water mixture.

Now hinge the graphic back to the original position f the graphic is large or you cannot hinge it as above- cut or rip the tape, leaving on the graphic, and on the surface- you can now lay the graphic on a work surface face down and strip the backing paper off. First spray the surface you are applying to with the soap/water solution, then the sticky side of the graphic. If the premask gets wet on the non-sticky side- it will start to release the graphic, so get only the sticky side wet. Apply the graphic- aligning the torn pieces of tape will place the graphic back in the original position.

Squeegee the fluid out from the center of the graphic to the outsides. Allow the adhesive to set up for 5 or 10 minutes (if it is cool, it may take longer) before removing the premask.

Pull the premask off the graphic by peeling it back at a 180 angle. Pull carefully and keep an eye on the graphics as they are uncovered- if any parts pull loose from the surface- roll the premask back down and resqueegee.  Spraying the premask with the soap/water mixture and waiting a minute or two will cause the premask adhesive to relax and pull off easier.

The adhesive on the vinyl takes 24 hours to set up fully- longer in cold weather. Wash the graphic only by hand for that period. We do not recommend high pressure (touch less) car washes or pressure washers at any time on your vinyl graphics.

- Registering multiple colors -

If your graphic consists of colors that are layered, determine in which order the colors are applied – the rearmost colors first.

Each color will have registration marks (diamond shaped marks) which will allow the colors to be aligned to one another. Do not cut these off! After application you can pick them off the surface easily.

Apply the first layer of vinyl using one of the above methods and remove the premask tape and dry the graphic and surface.

Now you can align the diamonds on the second layer to the first layer. If you cannot see thru the premask well enough to align them- cut off a couple of the corners of the diamonds- they will now align easily.
Temporarily tape the graphic over the first graphic.

You can now use one of the above methods to apply the next layer(s).

- Vinyl Removal 101 -

Disclaimer: We are in NO way responsible for ANY damage caused by YOUR efforts!

To remove YOUR graphics from YOUR surface. Use common sense and Be CAREFUL. If you have ANY doubts about YOUR ability to perform this task- DO NOT attempt it. The following are offered ONLY as suggestions!

1.       First wash the surface from which you want to remove the old graphics. This will avoid scratches caused by dirt being ground into the surface by your plastic tools.

2.      Warm the surface and graphic by facing it to the sun (works best on a dark surface/warm day), using a heat gun or halogen work light or some other heat source. Obtaining the correct temperature will be a trial and error procedure, if the vinyl is not warm enough- it will not soften the adhesive holding it to the panel, if it is too hot- the vinyl will stretch and pull apart. The happy medium will allow you to pull good-sized pieces of vinyl off in one piece.

3.      When you have reached the perfect temperature, lift the edge of  the graphic or letter with your fingernail or a plastic scraper and pull it away from the panel. If the vinyl is at the right temperature and not too old or scratched or cracked and the fates are smiling on you- it will come off fairly easily. This is affected by many factors, not limited to: the type and brand of vinyl, how long it has been on, sun exposure and karma.

4a.  When you have picked off all the vinyl- you are ready to remove the adhesive that may remain. You will need an adhesive remover for this step. There are several adhesive removers on the market- of which Goo-Gone is one, and readily available at most grocery, hardware and DIY stores. READ and FOLLOW the instructions! Always TEST anything that you plan to put on your surface in an out of the way spot to make sure it will not damage the surface. Also do not leave it on the surface for too long- if you must leave it- wash it off with whatever is recommended in the instructions. Do not let it run down the surface- it may cause discoloration!

4b.  OK- you are now ready for the adhesive removal….. Spray the adhesive with the adhesive REMOVER.  You will immediately notice that it does not remove it- so far so good! After a couple minutes it will turn into something like baby snot- only VERY sticky. Use a plastic tool to scrape as much adhesive/snot off as you can onto a paper towel. This is repeated as many times as necessary. Toward the end of this procedure the adhesive/snot will just be smearing about and may be wiped off with paper towels dampened with the remover, alternated with dry towels.

5.  The last step is to wash the surface with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to remove the last bit of adhesive.
Congratulations! You are now a highly paid vinyl graphic removal technician!