How to Fix Common Issues When Installing Vinyl Decals

How to Fix Common Issues When Installing Vinyl Decals

So your decal install isn't going perfectly?  Well, that's pretty common.  I've had plenty of issues myself!  The most common issue is bubbling or the vinyl not sticking because the surface isn't prepped well. The tips below are for the most common issues that occur during installing your decal.   

VINYL ONLY STICKING TO THE BACKING

When you are ready to apply the vinyl, it may not be completely pressed onto the transfer tape. First, make sure that the decal has flattened out completely. Then you may firmly re-press the transfer tape back down onto the vinyl and backing using a squeegee.

VINYL NOT STICKING

The most important thing for proper vinyl adhesion is to have a completely clean surface.

Secondly, once you have applied the vinyl and are ready to remove the transfer tape, the vinyl may not stick to the surface right away when using the wet application method. This happens when the water underneath the decal has not evaporated enough for the vinyl to adhere to the surface. There are two fixes for this:

1. You may continue to squeegee the water out from under the decal, and wait a little longer until the vinyl dries and adheres to the surface.
2. Or you may use a hairdryer to help evaporate the water faster. Because vinyl can melt and stretch, we recommend you keep the dryer a little over a foot away from the vinyl. As you are drying, continue to squeegee the water out. As an added benefit, if you squeegee first from the center towards the edges, this can help minimize the amount of air bubbles that can form.

ADHESIVE RESIDUE

After removing the transfer tape from the vinyl, there may be some left over adhesive on the vinyl. This is not a big deal and is caused when the transfer tape has been sitting in the water for too long if using the wet application method. If the water is sitting on the tape for any longer than 5-6 minutes it can start to break down the transfer tape's glue. It may look a little messy, but is not a problem and will not affect the vinyl in any way.

If there are small spots of adhesive left over when removing the transfer tape you may just use your finger to rub and pick the residue off. If there are larger areas with the adhesive, we recommend spraying the area with Windex (or using a small amount of rubbing alcohol) and with a soft cloth “that will not scratch the vinyl” clean the area. With some elbow grease, the adhesive can be removed.

BUBBLES

After applying the vinyl and removing the transfer tape, a tiny air bubble or two are one of the most common problems that a customer can have. These bubbles are just pockets of water and air that were not evaporated or squeegeed out before the surrounding vinyl has dried and adhered to the surface.

To remove the bubbles, we recommend using a thin sewing needle to carefully poke a small hole into the middle of the bubble. Just one little poke will do. Then you may use your finger to gently push the air out and press the vinyl back onto the surface. Once the air is out the vinyl will lay flat and the hole not be noticeable, and will disappear in a few days.  The best results are achieved when the vinyl is warm from the sun, or gentle heat from a blow drier (don’t use a heat gun as excessive heat will damage the vinyl).

IMPORTANT NOTES

Once the transfer tape is removed from the vinyl, do not use the squeegee or any rough material over top of the vinyl that may scratch it.

Lastly, any small imperfections that you may see when the vinyl is first applied, “such as a slight crease or a few small air bubbles” will not be a major problem. Because we use quality vinyl, those things will actually work themselves out as a few days go by. The sun plays a large role in this process. As the surface is naturally warmed and the vinyl has time to sit and completely adhere, it will actually soften against the surface and those small imperfections should all but disappear.