vinyl graphics

[gridley]

Hi all. I purchased some really nice vinyl graphics for my latest project. They are cut from 3M vinyl and look really great. Problem is, I have never attempted to apply vinyl on a model. Any suggestions and tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[ConRadical]

Make sure the surface is clean and apply. If you’re afraid to mess up, you could wet apply them using a window cleaner. If you do wet apply be sure to squeegee everything and dry it off. Good luck! Post us a picture of the before and after if you’d like.

[Reza]

Also if you are applying on ultra coat or monokote, you can poke some holes on the surface that you are sticking the vinyl on, this way you won't have any bubble. If the size of graphic is big, you'd better applying it wet, if small just clean the surface and apply. In case you had to take the vinyl off that is applied on ultracoat or monokote you need to heat it up with heat gun and slowly peel. It's really hard and can mess up the actual covering. Good Luck

[yakattack]

Ive applied alot of window tint and from my experience graphics arent much different, some window cleaners with ammonia might attack the glue, I just mix 2 parts water 1 part rubbing alcohol and a couple of drops of dish detergent in a squirt bottle. spray the surface, put the graphics on and you have plenty of time to move them where they need to be then just squeegy all the bubbles out and wait for it to dry then peel off the transfer paper. check out the graphics on my funtana in the picture gallery these are the biggest ones Ive done on a plane and it turned out great.

[StickerBiotch]

yakattack is correct! Never use Windex as a wet applicator for installing graphics this will break the adhesive down and cause the vinyl to fail in the future. When you mix the soap, alcohol and water together just make sure your dish soap does not have any hand conditioner in it. Normally 1/2 teaspoon of soap to a full spray jug of water is a good rule of thumb. If you are not comfortable with mixing it we also carry Rapid Tac Vinyl Application Fluid for sale.

We also would not recommend puncturing holes in your Monokote or Ultracoat surface if you are applying wet. As this will allow the fluid to soak into the wood surface below your covering which can result in a weak spot.

The best possible application method to make sure your decals stay on and look good over time is the dry method. But that is depending on how comfortable you are with applying them this way.

Thanks,
Bryan

[All Thumbs]

If you're really worried and want everything to come out perfect, go to Beacongraphics.com and order two things. One, a bottle of cleaner called Rapid Prep. This will remove any grease etc. before applying the graphic. Secondly, get a bottle of Rapid Tac. This is what is sprayed on before applying the graphic. I'm sure there are other places to get it and I'm sure there are some off brand stuff and some home application ideas, but I've used the "stuff" that's made for vinyl applaction, and it works really well.

This Yak was done completely with the Avery A-8 vinyl and never did I have a problem with the vinyl coming off, even on the compound curves.

Yak 008 resized 1.jpg

Yak 011.jpg