Maya Ellison
Installing decals on plastic is a fun way to decorate a window, car, laptop, or other sturdy surface. The first step is to wipe down the surface to get rid of any dirt and dust. Next, cut the decal out and submerge it in water for about 10-30 seconds. Then, slide the decal onto your finger and adjust it with tweezers. Apply matte medium over it once you're pleased with its position. Finally, remove the transfer tape from the decal.
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the application surface
If your decal is going outdoors, it’s best to wait until it’s at least 50 °F (10 °C) outside—in cold weather, vinyl stickers become stiff and the adhesive hardens. The ideal humidity for decal application is below 90%. In very cold winter months, you may need to leave the transfer tape on longer than 24 hours. To speed up the process, you can warm the application surface using a blow dryer on low heat.
For newly painted surfaces, paint must be properly cured and decals applied over only high-grade exterior coatings. Avoid finishes that tend to chalk, bleed, or contain silicone. Follow paint manufacturer’s recommendations for drying and curing. Allow surfaces to cure for at least 10 days prior to decal application.
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Soaking the decal in water
Preparing the Decal:
Before submerging the decal in water, use a pair of scissors or a craft knife to carefully cut out the decal, following the outline of the design. This will make it easier to handle and apply to the surface. Leave the backing paper attached to the decal during this step to provide support and protect the adhesive.
Soaking the Decal:
Fill a bowl or container with room-temperature water. Place the decal in the water, with the backing paper still attached, and let it soak. The soaking time can vary from 10 to 30 seconds for smaller decals, while larger decals might require up to a minute or more. Keep an eye on the decal as it soaks, as you want to ensure that the decal loosens from the backing paper without the ink bleeding or dissolving into the water.
Applying the Decal:
Once the decal has loosened from the backing paper, carefully slide the decal off the paper and onto your finger, being careful not to crease or tear it. You can now position the decal on the desired plastic surface. Use tweezers to make fine adjustments to the decal's position if needed.
Squeegee and Air Bubbles:
Use a plastic squeegee or a credit card to smooth out the decal and remove any air bubbles. Start at the center of the decal and work outward, applying firm and even pressure. Pay particular attention to the edges to ensure a complete seal. If any air bubbles remain, pierce them with a straight pin and then re-squeegee the area.
Final Steps:
After you are satisfied with the decal's position and have removed all air bubbles, allow the decal to dry completely. You can use a hairdryer on a low setting to speed up the drying process if needed. Once dry, carefully remove the transfer tape from the decal, if applicable, by slowly peeling it away at an angle. Enjoy your newly decorated plastic surface!
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Applying the decal
- Prepare the surface: Ensure the application surface is clean, dry, and smooth. Use a surface cleaner or a baby wipe to wipe down the area, removing any dirt, dust, or grime. For newly painted surfaces, allow the paint to cure for at least 10 days before applying the decal.
- Cut and soak the decal: Cut out the decal, leaving some border of the backing paper. Soak the decal in water for about 10 to 30 seconds to a minute or until the decal loosens from the backing paper.
- Position the decal: With the decal still on the backing paper, position it where you want it. For larger decals, you can use masking tape along the top edge to fix it in place.
- Apply the decal: Lift the decal as if on a hinge and slowly lower it onto the surface. Use your thumb to press from the centre outwards, gradually working your way to the edges. You can also apply the decal by holding it at one corner and laying it down in a smooth, rolling motion to prevent air bubbles.
- Smooth out air bubbles: Use a squeegee or a plastic card to smooth out any air bubbles, working from the centre outwards. For smaller decals, you can use your thumb or finger.
- Seal the edges: Re-squeegee the edges with very firm pressure to ensure a complete seal. Repeat the squeegee procedure 30 minutes after application.
- Remove remaining air bubbles: If there are any remaining air bubbles, pierce them with a straight pin and re-squeegee the area. Do not use a razor blade for this step.
- Finish the application: Once satisfied with the positioning and smoothness of the decal, remove the backing paper. For vinyl decals, this is the transfer tape or pre-mask. Leave the transfer tape on for at least 3 hours and up to 24 hours before gently peeling it off. In cold weather, you may need to leave the transfer tape on longer or use a blow dryer on low heat to speed up the process.
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Removing air bubbles
The best way to avoid dealing with air bubbles is to ensure that you are installing your decal correctly and taking the necessary precautions. Before applying your decal, make sure that the surface is completely clean. You can wash the area with a mixture of soap and water, or rubbing alcohol and water. This will prevent bubbling from dirt and grime.
If you notice air bubbles after applying your decal, there are several methods you can use to remove them. Firstly, you can try applying pressure with your thumb directly onto the bubble to remove the unwanted air. You can also use a squeegee or a plastic card to slowly push on the bubbles and work them towards the edge of the decal. This technique is most effective when used with the wet method of installation, but it can also work on a dry surface with more time and effort.
For stubborn bubbles, you can use a very small pin or a sharp razor blade to poke a tiny hole in the bubble. Be careful not to poke directly on top of the air bubble, and ensure that the hole is small enough that it won't be noticeable after smoothing out the decal. After poking the hole, use a squeegee or plastic card to flatten the decal and remove any remaining air.
Another method to remove air bubbles is to use a hair dryer. Set the hair dryer to low heat and hold it a few inches away from the decal. The heat will help loosen the adhesive, making it easier to move the air bubble towards the edge and remove it. For more stubborn bubbles, you can increase the heat setting on the hair dryer, but be careful not to apply high heat for too long, as it may damage the adhesive.
If you are working with a vinyl decal, you can also try exposing it to sunlight to help remove air bubbles. Place your project on a smooth, clean, and flat surface, and allow the sunlight to work on the bubbles.
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Drying and curing
Firstly, it is important to allow the paint to dry thoroughly before applying decals. The length of time required can vary depending on the type of paint used. For example, with a 2-part epoxy paint, cure times are more predictable, and solvents are typically gone very quickly. True lacquers also tend to dry quickly. On the other hand, enamels can take much longer, sometimes indefinitely, due to less volatile solvents. In general, paint is considered dry when it is no longer tacky to the touch and can be handled safely. However, this does not necessarily mean it is fully cured.
The "sniff test" is often recommended as a way to determine if paint is fully cured. If you can still smell paint, it is likely still outgassing and not fully cured. However, this method may not be reliable for those with sensitive or less sensitive noses. A rule of thumb is to wait until the paint smell is completely gone, which could take several days or even a week or more.
For those who want to speed up the curing process, one option is to use your car as a curing oven. Once the painted item is dry to the touch, place it inside your car and let it "bake" in the sun while parked. This can help accelerate the curing process, especially in warm and sunny weather conditions.
After applying the decal, it is important to give the adhesive time to dry and cure as well. Smaller decals may not require the use of water for application, but larger stickers benefit from a soapy water solution, which allows for repositioning and the removal of air bubbles. Once the decal is in place, use a squeegee or plastic card to smooth out any remaining water and air bubbles. Leave the transfer tape in place for at least 3 hours and up to 24 hours before gently removing it. In colder weather, you may need to wait even longer, and you can use a blow dryer on low heat to speed up the process.
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Frequently asked questions
To install a decal without bubbles, you must first ensure the surface is clean and dry. Then, when applying the decal, use a squeegee to smooth out any air bubbles. You can also pierce any remaining bubbles with a pin to remove the air.
Before applying the decal, cut it out and submerge it in water for around a minute. You can then slide it onto your finger and adjust it with tweezers.
First, ensure the surface is clean and dry. Then, peel off the backing paper and place the decal onto the surface. Use a piece of masking tape to fix it in place. Peel off the remaining backing paper and, holding onto the bottom edge, slowly lower the decal, smoothing it out with your hand or a squeegee.
Before installation, rub firmly across the transfer tape to prep your sticker. This will help the decal stick to the transfer tape, rather than coming off with the backing paper. You should also avoid touching the back surface of the decal, as you could smudge the adhesive.
