Types of Decals

Decal Type

Appearance Application Type Application Surface

Painted StickerPanel Wrap

Solvent Activated

Dry App App Tape

Top Mount (Wet Paint)

Top Mount (Raw)

Top Mount

(Powder)

Under Wet Clear

Under Powder

Clear

Ink Transfer

TMDryAP X X X X X

CCDryAP X X X X

HTCCDryAP X X X

SolFix X X X X X

HTSolFix X X X

Cut Decal

HT Mylar X X X1/2mil Mylar X X X X2mil Mylar X X X X X

Vinyl X X X X X X

Mounting Instructions ForCCDryAP and TMDryAP

First remove the silicone release liner to expose the back of the decal (adhesive side).

Fold a corner of the stock down to separate the clear plastic and decal off the entire sheet of backing stock. A slow and steady peel works much better than a ripping motion.

If you have broken that bond anywhere on the decal it will now be visible by looking through the plastic film at the face of the decal. The separation areas will look frosted and will always be on corners or edges.

If you are having trouble peeling back the plastic film from the backing stock, use a piece of discarded backing stop or tape to lift the corner.

Apply the stock or tape aid to the corner of the plastic film and use to lift it from the backing stock. Do not use discarded stock or tape close to the decal’s adhesive as it may interfere with the proper application.

When mounting the decal care should be taken to get the correct position on the first attempt. You can't stick it down and peel it back off with much success. Once positioned, rub the decal down with your fingers while taking

care not to trap air bubbles.

Burnish the decal down with some sort of burnisher: (We recommend and supply 3M PA3 blue and gold) A bondosqueegee or some other form of hard plastic applicator works the best. Be sure to burnish down the entire decal working from the center to the edges. Be sure to hold the plastic film down while burnishing, to avoid ripping or

wrinkling the decal.

Now, reburnish the decal, starting from one side on the film but not on the decal. Work into the decal. This will separate the edge of the decal from the film. Continue the separation across the rest of the decal.

After this, burnishing the plastic film normally has separated from the decal, if not just peel it off. If by some chance the decal hasn't separated at this point spend more time burnishing.

Mounting a CC DryApp or TM DryApp

Mounting Instructions ForSolvent Fix

Mix one part solution with eight parts warm water (1:8). This proportion is quite flexible. If you get to much bond add more water (1:10). If you need more bond add more solution (1:6). Increasing the temperature of the solution

or frame also helps bonding. Thoroughly wash hands and prepare a clean working area free of dust or any oils.

Remove the silicone release liner to expose the decal.

Dip one decal in solution. The paper will curl immediately. Small decals take only a second or so, and large decals can be dipped for 4 or 5 seconds.

At this point remove the decal from the solution and quickly position on the frame. Speed is very important at this point, as the decal will soon release from the stock. Rub down with your hand.

Using a squeegee, squeegee the decal down using medium pressure. It's best to work the squeegee on an edge rather than on the side. Work the decal down from the center to the edges, to avoid trapping air bubbles.

Allow the decal to set on the frame for about 30 seconds.

Lift a corner of the paper to see if the decal has taken a bond. If it has, gently slide the paper off the decal. DO NOT LIFT THE PAPER OFF!

Using a clean wet towel wash down the decal to remove any remaining dextrose gum for the decal paper. Re-wash with clean water as necessary, buff down with a dry rag and allow to dry.

At this point you can bake the decal at the same temp at which you will bake your clears. This will speed up the drying and bond. The frame and decal is then ready to be clear-coated.

Some wrinkles and bubbles may remain at this point. Using the squeegee gently work these flaws out. If the decal has a good bond, it will take a quite a bit of abuse of this point. Very fine wrinkles and small bubbles will stretch

themselves out as the decal dries. Experience will teach you what size flaws need to be worked on.

Mounting a SOLFix Decal

Mounting Instructions ForMylar/Vinyl

Starting at a corner of the decal stock peel up the clear application tape. Sometimes the decal will remain down on the silicone liner stock, if so, lower the application tape back down over the edge of the decal, and burnish with

your fingernail. Peel up application tape again bringing along the decal.

Looking through the clear application tape, line the decal up to the surface you are mounting on, this line up is critical because once you tack (tough) the decal down to the surface. That's where it will stay.

Once you have positioned the decal take care in rubbing it down. It works best to first tack down the center of the decal and then slowly rubbing down the rest to the decal working form the center out to the edges, doing one side

at a time. This rubbing can either be done with your fingers or a soft rag.

Peel back the application tape slowly until it separates from the leading edge of the decal. If the decal wants to lift up, burnish the decal again. It works best to separate the decal on a corner verses on a long flat section.

At this point, some milkiness or dotted areas may still be present under the clear areas of the decal. (Actually they are also under the printed images.) This is where the pressure sensitive adhesive has not totally bonded down to

the substrate. Generally these small areas will disappear within about 30 minutes.

Mounting a Mylar/Vinyl Decal

Tips for Mounting

• Always store the unused decals in sealed bags and/or in an airtight covered container (i.e. Rubbermaid or Tupperware) to prevent deterioration of the adhesive and plasticizer loss.

• It is highly recommended to store the decals in a cool, dark, slightly humid area. Heat, UV light, and dryness can all have a detrimental effect on the flexibility of this product over the long term.

• The surface you are mounting to must be very clean to get a good bond. It is imperative that there is no wax, polish or finishing residue on the surface you are mounting these decals to. After the decals are mounted you can apply wax or polish right over the decal.

Tips for Mounting

• After mounting the decal, using a clean dry rag, buff the decal down by rubbing the rag back and forth. This serves three purposes. • First it bonds the adhesive to the frame with a combination of heat and

pressure.

• Secondly, the rubbing loosens up the releasing agent that is bonded to the backside (squeegee side) of the clear film.

• Thirdly, rubbing the decal down before squeegeeing the decal down will eliminate the possibility of stretching the decal while squeegeeing.

• This in turn, will eliminate stress cracks, which could appear up to 2 weeks after mounting.

Once the Decal is Mounted

• It is normal for bubbles to appear between the decal and the mounting surface. • Tiny ones will pull themselves down in about a half hour.

• Larger ones can be popped with a pin and burnished down.

• As with all pressure sensitive decals, it takes several days for the bond to really set in.

• Try to avoid major abrasion to the decal for about one week.