Vinyl decals are one of the best traditional advertising techniques. They are cost-effective, strong, and eco-friendly. As you’ll be placing the vinyl stickers on your promotional car or business storefront, they are designed to withstand the harsh outdoor elements. No matter how many times you take them out in the rain, scorching sun, or cold environment, they won’t be damaged easily. This is because the vinyl decals are stronger and come with a longer lifespan.
However, the effectiveness and lifespan of the vinyl decals are dependent on the installation process. One single mistake during the installation process and you’ll end up ruining the appearance and adhesive of the stickers. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful while applying the vinyl stickers.
Fortunately, the installation process of the vinyl stickers is very easy and simple. People make mistakes while applying the vinyl stickers is because they don’t follow the installation technique. Here are the top 4 tips to apply the vinyl stickers.
Cleaning Procedures
This is the first installation tip you need to remember. Every surface is prone to contamination of various outdoor materials. To ensure the proper effectiveness of the sticker’s adhesive to the installation surface, you need to decontaminate and prepare the surface for the sticker installation. Failing to do so will damage the adhesive and the stickers will fall off quickly. These are the recommended procedures you need to follow:
- Wash the installation surface with warm water. Don’t forget to dry and clean the area with a soft cloth before installing the sticker.
- Use rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol to wipe down the entire installation area. Make sure you wipe the surface in one direction to avoid further recontamination during the final cleaning process.
Keep an Eye on the Temperature
You shouldn’t underestimate the temperature of the surface while installing the vinyl decal. Before attempting the installation, make sure the surface temperature is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. You can install the vinyl stickers in a cool environment but the adhesion will become a much more difficult task. The adhesive will melt when it gets too hot and brittle when it gets extremely cold. If you apply the vinyl stickers without considering the recommended temperature mark, you might reduce the effectiveness of the adhesive.
Create Application Fluid
Many people purchase certified application fluid from their nearby store. This is one of the most important tools for the installation process. However, if you don’t have any application fluid, you can create it easily in your house. As per Our pastimes, combine warm water with 1 drop of dishwashing soap and you can use the soapy mixture as your application fluid.
Application Process
You can choose either the dry method or the wet method to apply your vinyl stickers. Keep in mind that you cannot afford to make any mistakes while installing the vinyl stickers. Once the sticker touches the surface, you cannot remove it without damaging it.
However, if you use applicator fluid, you can remove and reposition the stickers without any problem for the first couple of minutes. This method is useful for beginners. However, the best approach to applying the vinyl stickers is the dry method. This is because the vinyl stickers get attached quickly as the dry method doesn’t allow you to reposition the stickers. You can also use the wet method, but it’s much more time-consuming than the dry method.
Conclusion
These are the top 4 tips you should remember while applying the vinyl stickers. You might encounter bubbles or wrinkles while applying the vinyl stickers. If you notice any bubbles or wrinkles, use a sharp object to squeeze them out.
