Vinyl
PaintMask
Car Lettering
Guide
The first step
to applying vinyl is to clean the application surface with solvents
that effectively remove all contamination from the surface. Essentially,
two kinds of solvent will remove 99.9% of all contamination:
1. Petrochemical-based solvents such as automotive tar, wax and
grease remover will remove waxes, polymer finishes, greases,
tars, silicones and most pollution.
2. Water will take care of the organic stains such as tree sap,
bird droppings, bug splatters and common dirt. Rubbing alcohol
also works well, use after washing.
Vinyl Graphic Installation
Materials needed:
Ruler
Marking pencil and masking tape (for a straight decal)
Squeegee & soft cloth
Rivet brush and heat gun (if applying over uneven surfaces)
Please note if decals are to be stored, keep in a cool dry place
and store laying flat.
Your vinyl graphic comes covered with application tape that is
used for transferring the graphic from the carrier paper to the
application surface. Before installation lay graphic on flat
surface, application tape side up and squeegee entire graphic
using a fair amount of pressure. This has the effect of sticking
the graphic to the application tape and helping to release it
from the carrier paper. The application tape is designed in such
a way that it does not adhere to the graphic until some pressure
is applied as described above; this helps avoid the potential
problem of the graphic becoming lost or damaged if the carrier
film is accidentally peeled off in transit.
The "Horizontal
and Vertical Hinge Method" are the most common hinge application
techniques. Hinges are used to hold the graphic in place while
you squeegee.
Horizontal (best
for large lettering that is not "connected" like script
fonts)
1. Position lettering or graphic on clean surface. Tack to desired
location with small piece of masking tape on either end.
2. Apply a long piece of masking tape across the top of the lettering
or graphic.
3. Remove small pieces of masking tape at both ends.
4. Cut lettering or graphic into small areas vertically. (With
letters, cut between the letters, with graphic, cut between sections
taking care not to cut through any vinyl). The hinge at the top
holds the graphic and maintains the graphics spacing in tact.
5. Starting at the right (if right-handed), flip one section
over at a time and remove release liner.
6. Squeegee each section into place.
7. Re-squeegee entire line of lettering or graphic when complete.
8. Remove application tape.
9. Check for bubbles and release.
10. Re-squeegee entire graphic with protected squeegee or soft
cloth.
Vertical (best
for medium to large sized graphics that are continuous)
1. Position lettering or graphic on clean surface. Tack to desired
location with small pieces of masking tape on either end.
2. Apply a long piece of masking tape across the right side (if
you are right handed or vice-versa).
3. Remove small pieces of masking tape at both ends.
4. Starting at the right (if right-handed), flip the graphic
back and remove release liner. (The release liner can be removed
a little at a time as you squeegee.)
5. Squeegee entire graphic.
6. Remove application tape.
7. Check for bubbles and release.
8. Re-squeegee entire graphic with protected squeegee or soft
cloth.
The "Center Hinge Method" will allow you to work from the center of a graphic outwards. It effectively makes the graphic half as small from an installation standpoint.
Center Hinge (best
for windshield or large "connected" or "continuous"
lettering (i.e. script) or graphic)
1. Position lettering or graphic on clean surface. Tack to desired
location with small pieces of masking tape on either end.
2. Run another piece of masking tape vertically through the center
of the lettering or graphic, making sure it adheres firmly above
and below the lettering as well. Vertical tape will act as a
center hinge.
3. Remove one small piece of masking tape from either end.
4. Lift graphic or lettering from that end and pull release liner
away. Continue to pull liner away until close to vertical center
hinge. (The release liner can be removed a little at a time as
you squeegee.)
5. Cut release liner with scissors and discard while holding
the graphic and transfer tape away from the surface.
6. Starting from center vertical hinge, squeegee lettering down
onto prepared.
7. Remove small piece of masking tape on other end as well as
vertical tape used as center hinge (what you just squeegeed will
act as the "tape" to hold the graphic in place). Lay
remaining half over applied lettering or graphic.
8. Remove the rest of the release liner, and beginning from center,
squeegee into place.
9. Remove application tape.
10. Check for bubbles and release.
11. Re-squeegee entire graphic with protected squeegee or soft
cloth.
PaintMask
Usinging the same techniques above, squeegee the paint mask onto the application surface. Pay special attention to the area around the graphic that has been weeded out. Mask surrounding areas and then paint weeded out area. If you are painting over a dark color be sure to use primer first. When paint is dry, remove the Paint mask and discard.
Multi Layer Mask: After putting down your first layer, mark your corners with masking tape (like registration marks) and position the next masked box in the same exact position. Be sure paint has cured on first layer before applying second mask or you may pull of fresh paint when removing second mask.
PaintMask Number Boards
WHITE NUMBERS
Apply mirrored numbers to BACK of glass.
Paint your black background and let dry.
Remove mask and paint number area with white transparent paint.
BLACK NUMBERS
Apply mirrored mask to BACK of glass.
Paint number area with black paint and let dry.
Remove mask and paint background with white translucent paint.
Striping
Tack one end of
vinyl stripe to surface. Pull the stripe tautly to end point;
pulling assures a straight line. Check your results by looking
down the length of the stripe. Be careful not to overstretch
to the point of distortion.
"Turning" striping involves stretching the material on the outside of the turn while pressing the inside of the turn so that wrinkles don't form. Pulling the stripe with one hand, and rubbing the stripe through the turn with the other accomplish this.