How to Add Custom Decals to a Car

Adding custom decals to your car is the cheapest way to give your exterior a very unique look. It is not as permanent or complicated as a new paint job and can be done at home in about an hour.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Plastic spatula
• Scotch tape
• Car decal

1. Wash and wax the car, then let it dry completely.
2. Plan out exactly where you wish to apply your custom decals on your car.
3. Recruit a friend or family member to help you.
4. Use scotch tape to place the decal approximately where you want it. This is where a helper comes in handy because car decals are usually very large and difficult to line up.
5. Peel off the backing on one side of the decal and being slowly sticking it to the car. Leave all of the backing on except for right where you are working.
6. Ask your friend to help you make sure the decal is going on straight as you slowly continue to apply it.
7. Place the decal directly over any cuts in the body, like door lines. Ignore them for now.
8. Cut the stickers at these body lines and wrap the loose part around the edges on the body line or frame.
9. Scrape lightly with a plastic spatula to press the bubbles out of the decal.
10. Remove any excess scotch tape.

Tips & Warnings

• The cleaner the car and the environment you are applying the stickers in the better it will look.
• Take your time removing the bubbles as they effect how the finished product looks.
• If residue remains from the scotch tape use a small amount of goo remover. Be careful not to get the remover on your new decal.
• Do not use a metal scraper, spatula or other hard device to remove the bubbles as you will damage the decal.