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Measuring For Decal
Measuring for Decals is not difficult, but it does take a bit of
common sense. When we refer to overall area, this refers to the
imaginary rectangular area that surrounds the particular group of
letters you are measuring for. Here are some examples of measurements
of overall area:
When
you select an overall area, we will make your decal as big as possible,
and still fit within the overall area selected. Due to the unlimited
possibilities of what you can create, your decal might not fill
the entire box.
Sometimes,
you might need to include a minor obstruction within the overall
area, but make sure it will fall in a spot that won’t interfere
with the lettering. Please be aware that doing so might require
the decal to be modified before installation. For instance, you
can always seperate lines or individual letters of a decal before
application if you wish.
Measuring
for Hood Protector Lettering,
Decal Clip Art, and Windshield
Lettering.
When ordering these Decals, you will be asked for the overall size
of decal. Measure an unobstructed area of the installation surface
that will accommodate the closest size that we offer.
Measuring
for Semi Decals, Race
Car Decals, and Miscellaneous Single
Line Decals.
When
ordering these Decals, you will be asked for a letter height, and
a maximum line length. The program won’t let you enter more
lettering than will fit within that length.
Decal
Facts
Our Materials:
Premium
2 mil outdoor cast Vinyl:
The majority of our Vinyl is Premium 2 mil Outdoor Grade. We do
not handle any “intermediate” or “economy” grade
vinyls. We have many years of Vinyl production and installation
experience, and we can tell you that the slight savings definitely
aren’t worth it in the long run. Most of our Vinyl is “rated”
for 7 years. This means that the manufacturer says under normal
conditions, the material should not peel, crack, delaminate, or
fade for 7 years. As a matter of fact, in most cases, the material
considerably outlives this rating.
This is only a rating, and should not be mistaken
as a warranty. Our Reflective Vinyl is all Scotchlite 580
Series Reflective.
Vinyl
Colors:
It is impossible to get “web safe” computer screen colors
to properly match the all the colors of our Vinyl. As you may already
know, the actual Vinyl colors are far more vibrant than what you
see on the screen. We can send you a Printed Vinyl Color Guide at
no charge.
Our
Warranty:
Our Decals carry a 2-year guarantee. This covers peeling, cracking,
delamination, and fading.
Limitations
of Warranty:
We will only warranty decals that have
been determined to come from a defective lot of material. All other
adhesion or installation related problems are assumed to be the
fault of improper conditions or other installer related error. We
will not take back half- installed decals, so please inspect your
order carefully upon arrival.
Decal
Returns:
To return a Decal you must obtain a Return Good Authorization Number.
You can obtain a number by calling our Online Purchase Assistance
number at (608) 784-8468
Our
Labor Rate:
If you decide to have us install your decals, our shop labor rate
is $50/hour for decal installation, with a minimum of $18 for any
install. Decal removal rate is $50/hour plus removal chemicals.
General
Vinyl Application Instructions:
Skill
Level of Installer
A handy person with proper instructions can install moderately sized
Vinyl Decals. When installing decals larger than truck door- sized,
it is suggested that an adequately experienced person do the installation.
Please keep in mind that we will only warranty decals that have
been determined to come from a defective lot of material. All other
adhesion or installation related problems are assumed to be the
fault of improper conditions or other installer related error.
Learn
the Terms. Each Decal at the time of purchase consists of 3 parts:
Please
read this section carefully, especially if you are new to Vinyl
Decal installations.
Application
Paper
Application Paper is the Mask that we apply to your Decal that makes
multiple letters stay together. It is necessary for us to apply
this mask to make Decals ready for install. This Mask is either
made if paper or plastic, depending on a few characteristics of
the decal.
If you look at your Decal it is the “Top Layer” of sticky
paper that is stuck to the top (non-sticky) side of the decal.
Decal
This is the actual adhesive Decal that you have purchased. It is
sandwiched between the application paper and the backing at the
time of purchase. The Decal is what ends up installed to the surface.
Backing
The Backing is the wax paper that is applied to the “sticky”
side of the decal. This Backing keeps the Decal from sticking to
anything prior to install.
Surface
Compatibility:
The Surface must be a Hard, Flat, and Non- Porous. Installation
to any other surfaces is not recommended, unless you are an experienced
Vinyl Installer. Special skills are needed to deal with major bodylines,
complex curves, corrugated surfaces, etc.
Surface
Temperature and Weather Conditions:
Adequate
Surface Temperature and Weather Conditions are necessary before
attempting to install a Decal.
-The
Surface Temperature must be between 60°F and 90°F, with 70°F
to 80°F being the ideal range.
-It can’t be Raining or even Drizzling. Decals must be kept
absolutely dry until installed.
-Try to avoid installing Decals in Direct Sunlight. Surface Temperatures
in Direct Sunlight often change rapidly and are difficult to judge.
-Make sure there is No Wind present, Wind or Gusts Will cause a
problem.
Cleaning
and Prepping Surface:
If surface is at all dirty, wash with soap and water rinse with
water until there is no more soap or soap residue. Make sure Surface
is absolutely dry before proceeding to next step.
Thoroughly
wipe down the area of the Surface where Decal is to be applied with
DZ Super Surface Prep or alcohol. Glass cleaners or other ammonia-based
products are not recommended for this purpose, even with glass installations.
Once
the surface is clean, installation may begin. A clean Surface will
help to insure that your Decal will stay in place for both the short
and long run.
Don't
forget the decal installation kit.
Installing
Decals using the Simple Method (Smaller Decals)
1)
Decide where you want your Decal to go. Tape it into position with
small pieces of masking tape along the top of the decal.
2) Make a mark on each end of the Decal (See Below) with a Water
Soluble Pencil Start the mark on the Application Paper of the Decal,
and end the mark on the Surface that you are installing to.
3)
Remove the Decal, leaving the marks on the Install Surface. Remove
and discard the masking tape and backing at this time.
4) Keeping the Decal taut, line up marks and adhere Decal. (The
help of another person makes positioning much easier.)
5) With the Application Paper still intact, Take a Squeegee and
apply the Lettering by pressing on the surface of the Application
Paper. Using even strokes, start at the middle of the letters, and
work your way out. Carefully remove Application Paper.
The
Job is Done!
Don't
forget the decal installation kit.
Installing
Decals using the Hinge Method (Larger Decals)
Figure 1. |
Figure 2. |
1)
Decide where you want your Decal to go. Tape it into position with
small pieces of masking tape along the top of the decal, and a piece
of masking tape horizontally at the center of the decal (Figure
1), this will soon be used as a “Hinge”. We will refer
to either side of the hinge as Side A and Side B.
2) Make a mark on each end of the Decal with a Water Soluble Pencil
(See Figure 2). Start the mark on the Application Paper of the decal,
and end the mark on the surface that you are installing to.
Figure 3. |
Figure 4.
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Figure 5.
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Figure 6.
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Installing
Side A:
3) (See Figure 3) Remove the top piece of masking tape from side
A. Leaving the center piece of masking tape intact, Lift Side A
of the decal in a “Hinge” motion (Figure 3).
4) Cut the Backing Paper at the hinge, (Figure 4) leaving only the
Application Paper and Lettering on side A.
5) Now, lower the hinge so that the mark on the application paper
and the mark on surface are aligned (Figure 5) With the Application
Paper still intact, Take a Squeegee and apply the Lettering by pressing
on the surface of the Application Paper. Using even strokes, start
at the middle of the letters, and work your way out. Side A of your
decal is now installed!
Do
not remove the Application Paper from side A yet!
Installing
Side B:
6) Now, Leaving all Application Tape Intact, remove all masking
tape and backing.
Repeat Steps 3-6 on side B.
7) Carefully remove Application Paper.
The
job is done!
Don't
forget the decal installation kit.
Dealing
With Bubbles
You will probably end up with some bubbles in your decal job. Small
bubbles will go away in time (the film breathes, and will flatten
out after a few weeks at an appropriate temperature). If you want
to work on the bubbles immediately, apply moderate heat, then poke
them with a pin, pressing the film down with your
thumb immediately afterwards. Have patience though, the film will
lay flat on it’s own in time unless the bubbles are unusually
large.
Storage
Your decals must be kept clean, dry, and laid out on a flat surface.
If storage is to be longer than 1 year, It is recommended that they
be kept in an airtight container or bag. If you regularly use decals,
make sure to rotate your stock.
Decal
Removal
Decal removal can vary in difficulty, depending on a few things;
the quality of the film to be removed, how long it’s been on,
if it’s weather-beaten, etc. Move along the decal with a hair
dryer or heat gun, while at the same time picking the letters or
striping off as you go.
If there is glue left behind, clean it up with some petroleum naphtha
(available at your local hardware store) applied to a rag.
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