Secrets to applying graphics?

[kx726]

hey guys--need to help. What's the best way to apply graphics so you don't get air bubbles?

 

[Papakeith]

spray some soapy water on the plastic before applying the graphics. This will allow you to position the stickers properly. Once they are where you want them squeegee(sp?) the water,soap, and airbubles out.

 

[Okiewan]

And heat the graphics with a hair dryer in the really curvey parts, but be careful not to stretch them.

 

[kx726]

OK-I hope I don't sound REALLY stupid-but doesn't the soapy water make them not sticky?

 

[Jeff Gilbert]

Not a dumb question at all. The soapy water does make the graphics "less sticky" untill it dries. You want to be able to move the graphics around and squeeze the air bubbles out and the soapy water allows this to happen. Once the water dries the adhesive will be as strong as ever. It's the same way you apply window tinting. Be sure the surface you are applying the grahic to is is clean before you start.

 

[BigBore]

First I clean the surface with brake cleaner or something that wont leave a residue. Then I peel the backing paper off just a little bit, at the front part of the graphics. Then I line it up with the front of the tank or shroud, and stick it in place. Then I slowly work towards the seat, one hand applying the sticker, the other peeling the paper off as I go along. I just put new graphics on my 650, they turned out great, with no air bubbles.

 

[SprtrxRidr]

Originally posted by BigBore
Then I peel the backing paper off just a little bit, at the front part of the graphics. Then I line it up with the front of the tank or shroud, and stick it in place. Then I slowly work towards the seat, one hand applying the sticker, the other peeling the paper off as I go along.

Thats exactly what I do, all of my stickers are bubble-free! :aj:

Alcohol is a very good way to manuver your graphics around. Swab off the back of it and you can move it around for a few seconds until its just right.

No, 116 octane is not a good substitute for the alcohol. :)

 

[KDX220rm]

I was a soap and water person until my friend that makes decals and graphics turned me on to Windex. That stuff works super on applying graphics. Just spray it on the surface and work your graphics on and then either use a roller or squeezie and get all the windex out and then like Okie said, use a hairdryer and get the decals all nice and warm and work the sticky glue in.

Also make sure you get the silicone that makes the plastic all nice and shiney off the plastic. I use PREP from Advance Auto Parts. Its a spray surface prep cleaner before you paint a surface. It removes finger prints, oil, grease, dirt, etc.

 

[oldguy]

Originally posted by SprtrxRidr
Alcohol is a very good way to manuver your graphics around. :)

Is a 6 pack enough or should I go for a 12 pack before starting ;)

I like the windex idea the best and just be sure they are just right before you start with the squeegee because once you do it they won't move. I also like to take a hair dryer to them once they are squeegeed, it seems to give the glue a boost by warming them up.
Also be sure your hands are really clean before you start- any dirt on them will transfer to the graphics glue

 

[fmfkx125372]

Yup, another vote for Windex here...Just did some on the YZ, they came out perfect...

Never heard about heating them though, it makes sense. I will keep that in mind next time....

 

[kx726]

Thanks--I really appreciate the help!

 

[KDX220rm]

Not only do I heat the graphics to make them more flexible, I also heat the plastic before I spray it down with Windex.

Also I got one of those artist soft rubber rollers (2") that you can get at Michael's. I believe they use it for artist painting. Almost looks like what an old time printer would use to smear ink on the old printing presses.

The roller is called a Brayer and here is a picture of one
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/DisplayProduct?prrfnbr=406734&cgnbr=CRAFTS-180

That really squeezes the water from underneath the graphics.

Also to quickly remove graphics, just heat them up really good.

 

[zcookie49]

If you dont have a "squegee", I used a credit card or plastic card similar, and took a clean undershirt, put the card in the undershirt and used like that. that way you dont scrape up the graphics, and the shirt can pick up some of the water that squegees out.
I used the same technique as stated in the above posts and the graphics were applied perfectly, yes I was drinking as well!!! :) :) :)

 

[sfc crash]

man, i wish i'd asked before. i just blew 50$ on my so-cal numbers. scuered em up good, then tossed em. :|

 

[nikki]

Yep... DeCal Works backgrounds come with instructions now saying to use window cleaner and the supplied squeegie. On graphics/backgrounds - we spray 2-3 good squirts of window cleaner on the then slide them aound and get them positioned right. The squeegie out the excess water starting from the center. Finally - finish off the edges and little pieces with a hairdryer. :D

 

[slickpuss]

Water and rubbing alchohol is perfect. If you take the backing paper or cloth and wrap the squegee its less likely to scratch. But if you have a big graphic or want it placed perfectly, put it where you want it and hold it there with a couple of pieces of masking tape. Then put a stripe of masking tape across the middle. Or on the flatest spot on a curved surface. After that, untape one side and pull it back to the middle where the masking tape strip is. Pull off the backing and cut it as close to masking tape as possible. Then lay the vinyl down working from that point. After that side is done pull the masking tape and backing off of the other side and work it down from the stuck side. It will make sure that the graphics stay right where you want them and if its a big one, like on a van, you can do it yourself. Once you do them a few times you will be able to do it dry and have the results even better.

P.S.-I used to put semi-truck sized decals on, and little ones too for a living.