Basic Instructions/Small decals
Additional tips for applying to matte or
textured surfaces (including laptops and MacBooks)
R engine cover inset decals
Spaceball cover decals
Nail Decals
Large windshield banners
Additional Tips
License plate frame information and hardware installation
- Make sure the area is clean, dry and at room temperature
- With the decal face up, rub the surface with a squeegee, credit
card, or your hand - Turn the decal so it is facing down and slowly peel the blue or
white backing paper away from the clear application tape. The decal
should remain on the clear tape, but if it peels off with the backing
paper repeat step 2. - Lightly apply decal to desired surface and apply pressure/remove air
bubbles in overlapping strokes from the center outwards. - Let the decal sit for 5-10 minutes if possible and then remove the
clear application tape by folding it back onto itself. - Enjoy your new decal!
Tips:
We recommend cleaning the area with a diluted solution of plain dish
soap or vinegar and then wiping with rubbing alcohol. If the area is
very greasy or oily you can use a degreaser beforehand but make sure it
is completely cleaned off before applying the decal. For decals on car
paint, especially large decals like stripes, you may want to use a clay
bar before application since any debris on the paint will affect the
appearance.
If there is a border around your decal you can cut it off before
application, or you can peel it off later when you remove the
application tape.
For decals like the caliper cover or the engine Volvo logo go slowly and
take your time aligning the decals. Once you have applied pressure you
won’t be able to re-position them
Additional Tips for Textured and Matte
Surfaces
- Be extra sure that the surface is clean and free of any oils. Wiping
the surface with vinegar and then rubbing alcohol and allowing to dry is
the best method. - Apply the decal as instructed, but before removing the clear
application tape use a hair dryer to quickly heat the decal and then
repeat step 4. Be careful not to apply too much heat as this can damage
the decal. - Leave the clear application tape on for up to 24 hours for best
results, then remove as described in the instructions by slowly peeling
it off.
- Make sure the area is clean and at room temperature
- Carefully peel the R from the backing paper like a sticker. Make
sure your hands are clean of oils and dirt, or use tweezers - Start placing the decal in the indentation on the left side and
upper left corner. Once it’s aligned apply light pressure only to this
part to make it stick - Start forming the decal into the loop part of the R but don’t yet
apply pressure. It may look like it won’t align or fit but ignore this
for now. - Position the lower right part of the R and the inside corner and
apply pressure to make it stick. - Lastly, start applying pressure to the loop portion, slightly
stretching and conforming the vinyl as needed.
Tips:
We recommend cleaning the area with a diluted solution of plain dish
soap or vinegar and then wiping with rubbing alcohol. If the area is
very greasy or oily you can use a degreaser beforehand but make sure it
is completely cleaned off before applying the decal
If the decal is too cold and you’re having trouble conforming it to the
R you can briefly use a hair dryer or heat gun to make it more pliable.
Only a small amount of heat is needed, be careful not to overheat it
which may cause it to stretch or break.
If you’re having a hard time applying pressure to the R in the
indentation you can use a pencil eraser, corner of a squeegee, the flat
part on the top of tweezers, or anything else small to fit in the
groove.
- Make sure spaceball cover is clean and free of any dust, dirt or grease.
- Cut a piece of clear application tape ~3/8” tall x 2-3” long, or one square tall x 6-8 squares long using the markings on the paper.
- Peel off the tape backing paper and press the middle of the tape strip over the first number decal. (we recommend starting with the lower row numbers first.)
- Use a fingernail or credit card to rub the surface over the decal to ensure good contact between the tape and decal.
- Slowly pick up the tape with the decal attached. If any part of the decal sticks to backing paper repeat step 4.
- Holding both ends of the application tape, line it up over the silver number on the spaceball cover. Make sure not to apply any pressure until you are satisfied with the placement.
- Once the decal is in the correct position rub the surface of the clear tape to make it adhere.
- Repeat with the next number until all decals are applied. You can use the same application tape until it no longer sticks.
- Do not clean or apply any products to the spaceball cover for at least 24 hours to allow the decals time to adhere.
- Cut a small piece of clear application tape (about as wide as a
fingernail and long enough to easily hold) and peel it off the backing
paper. - Press an edge of the clear tape over one of the decals on the decal
sheet and rub to ensure good contact. - Pull up on the clear tape slowly. The decal should be attached, but
if any part remains on the original sheet press the tape back down and
apply more pressure. - Carefully position the clear tape and decal on the desired nail.
Once you are happy with the placement, apply pressure to make it stick. - Peel off the clear tape layer, leaving the decal on the nail. Rub
the decal to make sure it has no bubbles - Repeat with the next decal. The same piece of clear tape can be
reused, or a new piece can be cut if it no longer sticks to the
decals. - Cover decals with one or more layers of top coat once finished.
Tips:
The decals will stick better to nails with nail polish applied, even if
it’s just clear polish. Also avoid matte nail polish for the base layer
since the decals don’t adhere well to this type of polish.
Make sure the base layer of polish has completely dried before applying
decals.
Even with a layer of top coat, these are still fragile due to the
intricate designs. If you work with your hands often you may want to
wear gloves or apply the decals afterward.
Here are a few additional tips that are not often elaborated on during
instructional videos.
Clean the surface of your application area to the best of your ability.
On the painted surfaces of a car/truck we recommend a very thorough
cleaning and the use of a clay bar to ensure ALL debris between the
paint surface and vinyl are gone, or at least washing the surface with
wax remover or something like Dawn dish soap. Debris leads to small,
unwanted bumps. Clean glass surfaces with a good glass cleaner. If you
are applying stripes that end in the wheel well or under the hood, make
sure to clean these areas thoroughly. If the edges don’t adhere well,
the vinyl may peel off.
Before application, lay the entire vinyl decal flat (for an hour or more
if possible if your decal came rolled up) with the clear tape facing up,
and, starting at the middle, go over it with a squeegee or the edge of a
credit card. This will remove any air bubbles that may have formed
during shipping and should help your decal application to go smoothly.
If there are large bubbles that you can’t remove, you can poke a hole in
the tape with a pin or knife and remove the air that way (be careful not
to damage your decal!) Removing bubbles in the tape will help prevent
bubbles once the decal is applied.
TAKE YOUR TIME! Preparation is key. We generally use masking tape to
mock up where we are going to apply the vinyl and make adjustments.
Vinyl is not permanent, but the adhesive gets weaker each time you must
pull it up off of the application surface, and you risk stretching or
tearing the decal.
The hinge method is an excellent way to make sure your decals are
properly aligned. Here is a video explaining how to use it to apply
large and small decals:
Vinyl decal application using the hinge method
When you smooth out the vinyl with the top tape layer still on, start
from the center of the vinyl and work towards the outside with overlapping strokes.
If possible, apply the vinyl in a warm (but not too hot) environment. It is difficult to
apply vinyl when cold because the material is rigid and the adhesive
does not stick as easily. If necessary, use a heat gun or a hair dryer
to add heat and make the application surface and vinyl easier to work
with.
If there are small bubbles in your applied decal they will probably work
themselves out after a few days. If they remain after several days,
you can poke a hole in the bubble with a pin and force the air out.
If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact us. We
cannot refund the cost on decals due to errors in application so if you
are unsure of anything just ask and we’d be glad to help you out.
Plate frame care instructions and installation guide
Plate frames are made with outdoor-grade vinyl and the lettering is expected to be durable in all conditions and climates. However yes, the letters are just vinyl like the other decals we sell so it can be scraped off intentionally. Don’t try to scrape the letters in an effort to see how durable they are and please be assured that we have tested the vinyl ourselves and are confident that in normal conditions it will not peel off (including in your favorite car wash). If by some chance your plate frame does have a problem and the lettering is damaged prematurely please contact us so we can set you up with a replacement.
If you want to further protect your new frame we recommend a layer of wax or sealant like those you would use on your car. You can also add a layer of clearcoat to provide even better protection. With both wax and clearcoat please be aware that these will make the finish glossier so test a small area on the back of the frame first if this is a concern for you.
