DIY Vinyl Lettering

The surface must be clean and free of all waxes, sealers, or oils. The vinyl lettering and the surface should be between 10°C and 29°C. Using methylated spirits clean the surface where the vinyl is to be applied. All waxes, oils, and polish must be removed from the surface to insure that the vinyl lettering will stick properly.

Temporarily place your vinyl lettering in the desired location with two small pieces of masking tape (one on each upper corner of the vinyl), holding the vinyl to the surface. With a tape measure or yardstick, align the vinyl lettering to an existing horizontal/vertical line. Once the vinyl is aligned, stand back and take a look. It should be level with respect to your existing line. Adjust as necessary.

Apply a long piece of masking tape along the top of the vinyl with approximately half of the tape on the vinyl and half on the surface. This will make a large hinged 'flap'. The hinged flap will make installation much easier. For long thin designs, you can cut the vinyl in half (up and down between the lettering) once it has been taped to create two flaps for even easier installation.

Raise the large hinged 'flap' and begin to peel the wax paper backing off the decal (exposing the sticky side of the vinyl letters). Be sure to only expose half of the vinyl. DO NOT ALLOW THE STICKY PART OF THE VINYL LETTERS TO TOUCH THE SURFACE. For multiple hinged 'flaps', repeat this procedure for each. Peeling the backing paper only halfway down will allow you to keep the vinyl lettering away from the vehicle surface until necessary.

With the wax paper backing peeled halfway downward, begin to apply the sticky side of the vinyl lettering to the vehicle surface with the squeegee. Be sure to use even strokes horizontally across the vinyl. ONLY APPLY THE FIRST HALF OF THE DECAL. The application squeegee should have a sharp even edge (a credit card can be used if you don’t have a signage squeegee). The tool should be angled 45 degrees away from the centre of the decal. This will keep bubbles from forming between the vinyl lettering and the surface. Continue smoothing out the vinyl with long horizontal strokes, starting at the top and working towards the bottom. Continue to remove the backing paper as you squeegee the vinyl to the surface. The sticky side of the vinyl should be covered until installation. This will keep it from getting dirty and sticking to the surface prematurely.

Once the entire sticky side of the vinyl is applied to the surface, go over the vinyl with the application squeegee, with increasingly harder strokes. Then begin peeling the transfer tape covering the vinyl letters. The transfer tape covering is made of paper with a sticky backing. This must be removed after the vinyl lettering is installed. Finish removing the transfer tape covering, peeling from one side to the other. Any small bubbles can be removed using a small razor blade. Take the razor blade and poke a small hole in the vinyl at the source of the bubble. Then with the squeegee, push the remaining air out of the bubble. Most bubbles will dissipate within three weeks of installation due to sunlight.

Your new vinyl lettering is now installed! To keep it looking new, simply wash it with mild soapy water. Do not use anything abrasive. You can apply wax over the vinyl once it is applied. Your new vinyl lettering will give you years of great looks.