How to Paste Car Decals

Decals come in all shapes, sizes and designs.

Some decal enthusiasts collect them and use them to liberally decorate their cars. Some decals show product or brand name pride, while others have social messages, or relay some type of fad, trend or entertainment aspect. Half the fun of owning them involves the process of putting them on your vehicle correctly, so they will last for years. With today's stunning graphic processes, many people have opted for decals rather than customized paint. A few techniques and simple tools can have anyone applying their favorite decals on their vehicles, with instant gratification and pride.

Things You'll Need

• Decals
• Sponge
• Masking tape
• Plastic application tool (spatula-like design)
• Glass cleaner
• Sewing needle
• Assistant
• Tape measure

Instructions

Pasting Car Decals

1. 

   Some decals come as body panel stripes and are very long.

   Measure the area to be covered. Use a tape measure for especially long body panel graphics. You need to know just how much surface area you have available for the very long graphics. Determine how you will center the decal and mark the spot lightly with a pencil on all sides.

2. Clean the glass or body panel surface with soap and water (window cleaner for glass). Make sure to extend the cleaning past the area that will receive the decal. All dirt and haze must be removed to allow proper contact over the entire surface. Decal applications can be done inside or outside, but the warmth of the sun will help make the decal, especially vinyl, more pliable and easier to work with.

3. Place the decal over or against the intended area, making sure you have it centered correctly. Use an assistant if the decal is long, since he can hold up one end while you support the other end. Apply tape to the outside border of the decal (non-graphic part), securing it to the edge of the window or body panel. Tape the sides and top only; leave the bottom open. This will place it so it does not move. Make sure you do not overlap the artwork over any car part like the window trim, door handle or keyhole.

4. Use scissors to cut the decal into three equal sections (for long decals) that are going on the rear or front window. Make three separate cuts that will give you three sections. Cut between letters or graphic images if the design will allow it.

   For large one-piece body panels, install the entire decal and then trim it precisely if the graphic extends over door seams or quarter panel seams. For instance, large flame decals can begin in the front of the vehicle and reach past the front door.

5. Raise the bottom of the decal and pull the paper backing off the decal in one large section, or one section at a time if you segmented the decal. The masking tape should remain intact. Have the assistant help you keep the decal from contacting itself.

6. Lay the decal on the window or body panel (exposed sticky side) and use a pliable plastic putty knife to rub it down, starting in the middle and fanning out toward the edges. Be careful and take your time. Rub firmly to get out any trapped air. Paste down the remaining sections (for the segmented type) in the same manner. Give it a few minutes to dry. Check for any bubbles or creases. Creases can be eliminated by gently lifting up on the creased section and gently stretching the decal fabric, and then smoothing it back down again.

7. Peel away the clear decal covering, beginning at the bottom. Do not pull the decal up while removing the paper. Remove all the sections, or in the case of the large body panel, peel off the paper backing in one piece. Look at the decal and rub out any bubbles or lines. Pop any bubbles that remain with a sharp needle. Use a slightly damp sponge to finish the final rubdown.

8. Use an X-Acto knife or a razor blade to cut the seam where the large decal has overlapped a door or quarter panel joint. Cut the decal evenly between both edges, so you can tuck the overlap of the decal around the door edge lip or panel end.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to install the decal when there is no wind or strong drafts. It can be unmanageable.

• Cold temperatures cause the decal to remain brittle during application. Make sure the surroundings are warm.

References

• Car Stickers: How to Apply a Sticker or Decal
• Car Decals Guide: The Many Benefits of Car Stickers
• Decal Fx: Decal Installation