I didn't see a thread dedicated to just installing vinyl graphics, so I figured I would start one. This is by no means a tutorial on how to install vinyl graphics, rather an account of my experiences. My goal is to learn how to install vinyl graphics myself. Maybe this will help me, maybe it will help others.

Let me start by saying that I have no experience with installing vinyl graphics. I learned there are 2 ways to install vinyl, wet or dry. Dry application is very difficult and requires at more than one set of hands. However, wet application is a little more forgiving. On a scale of 1-10, Dry application being a 10, wet application being a 7. In either case, there is a lot of skill and technique required.

Being that I am rather ambitious, I decided to install the vinyl graphics myself. I purchased the 'checker board' graphics from Cooper Flags, which included bonnet, boot, and roof. My order came with a squeegee, basic instructions and vinyl.

Fortunately, I have a friend who owns a body shop and has a top of the line paint booth. 100% controlled environment, perfect light conditions and dust free. I estimated the install time to take 2 hours. Actual install time was 2.5 hours.

After reading many of posts on NAM, it was time to do the install. I prepared myself with all the necessary tools I would need; squeegee, x-acto knife, pin, 100% cotton towels and small spray bottle.

First, washing the car with dawn soap will strip all wax from the paint. Leaving a pure clean surface to work with. To be even more thorough, I used clay bar to insure that the surface area was completely free of contaminants. Washed and dried the car once more and then pulled the car into the booth and closed the doors. With satellite radio on Reggae, I began to lay out all the vinyl graphics and tape them into position. Once everything was into position, I simply went piece by piece.

Before you begin to apply the vinyl, you have to prepare the small water bottle with a drop of soap and the rest water. To begin, I sprayed down the area with the small water bottle. Then I removed the adhesive backing to the vinyl and sprayed the sticky side of the vinyl with the water bottle. Laid the graphic into position and squeegee out from the center to the outside edge. Now, this is where the skill and technique come into play. It was very difficult to squeegee out all of the air bubbles. In fact, if you are too aggressive, you can even wrinkle the vinyl. Which is exactly what I did!

I repeated the spray, peal and stick routine through out the entire install. Fortunately, I did get better at applying the vinyl. The smaller pieces are much easier to do that the larger pieces.



As you can see from the picture above, I have a few bubbles and areas where I was too aggressive with the squeegee. Overall, I would say that my first install wasn't too bad. I would really like to try and do it again. Practice makes perfect and perfect is what I'm trying to achieve.

I'm inclined to take off the vinyl and give it another shot, but the practical side says to hire a professional installer. Any suggestions? Any tips, tricks, or techniques I could use for my next attempt? Everyone's input is greatly appreciated.

Here are a few more pics...




Cheers. -m

 

great thread! And the graphic looks sweet!

 

You did good, especially if it was your first time. I use a heat gun on most of my applications, but you have to be extremely careful. Most of the time, if you're not a proffesional, there are going to be flaws, so don't worry about it.

 

ahhh man, all red X's

 

Poke a tiny hole in the bubble with the tip of the x-acto, and use your finger to push the air out towards the hole.
After a few days in the sun, the small imperfections should go away.
Nice job!

 

Great looking MINI! Good job!!

 

i think the graphics look great. i'm sure you can see the imperfections more if you look up close, but just seeing the car far a slight distance, as in the pics, it looks great. i really like that style, the fact that it is centered and the all pure silver is sweet.

question: what kind of badge do you have on your grill? is it just a union jack? where did you get it... it's cool!

 

Thanks for the tip and compliments. Not sure what Duck360198 is saying with the Red X's.

Does anyone recommend an New York/Long Island installer for vinyl graphics? Trying to find an installer is what lead me to try it myself. If I'm unable to find a reputable installer, I may give it another try.

Mini_dreams: I picked up the badge from a UK vendor I found through eBay. Here's a link their website http://classicautospares.us/

 

Thats what I did, wash, used the clay bar, and applied them wet. I used masking tape to outline where I would lay the stripes, and I think it turned out pretty well, it was basically like following dotted lines

 

My internet is acting up so I can't see the pics or find an exact link. But it sounds like you did pretty good. Listen to Partsman about poking out the holes, you can also leave it in the sun, the heat a lot of times will smooth them out, or use a blow dryer to warm up the vinyl, it makes it soft and easier to push out inperfections (plus it helps for getting around pesky curves during install), just be careful not to melt the graphics.

On my site is a list of basic directions for anyone needing them or wanting to compare to what they've heard it's www.rogueminis.com click "MINI Eyes" and then "Directions"

Hope this helps

 

WOW, that looks awesome.

 

the pics finally showed up for me, very nice, I like the checkered look, and Stoopidgirl, I ordered my eyes and they're in transit! ahhh the wait!

 

every-yep transit is never fun, I order things and try to forget about them so when they show up I'm all surprised and it's like x-mas LOL

Madmike-I can see the pics now, the graphics look sweet. Just give a little poke and squeaze the bubbles out. You did great

 

Thanks again for the compliments. Sorry about the pics loading slow. My servers were under heavy traffic today.

Now that I realized what I did worng the first time, I would like to remove the vinyl and try again. What's the best way to remove the vinyl? I'm a perfectionist, what can I say.

StoopidGirl: I just placed my order for the 'black & white checks eyes'. Gotta keep the theme going.

Thanks. -m

 

Got the eyes today and put them on as soon as I got them, they look great thanks

 

Are the squares individual or printed on a sheet? If they are individual, I would leave them. If not, just pull and peel. Then clean with Goo Gone and wash the car.
Vinyl is weird, because the temperature makes a huge difference in how it goes on and how it comes off.
I have an awesome vinyl guy who knows how I want it done, and I still hover over him to make sure everything is perfect. He just re-striped my car with black. Sorry no pics yet.

 

PARTSMAN: Where in CT are you? I would be willing to drive up. Send me a PM with location and contact info. The checks come on one sheet and the individual squares are connected by the corners. Unnoticeable to the eye and serve a function by not allowing the corners to lift up over time. This was a recommendation by Ed over at Copper Flags who created the custom checks. Thanks Ed! I'll be putting in another order soon.

 

pm sent

The only thing about my vinyl guy is that he will only install his vinyl. This way he knows what he's able to do with it.
For a design like yours, he would start with a black stripe the proper width, and have a machine cut the squares to whatever size you want, then weed out every other one to get the checkerboard.
That's what he did on the dash of my black car before I sold it...

he did the roof with individual squares.

 

Thanks PARTSMAN. I like the idea of one sheet better, as it's easier to install. Shame he won't work with the sheets. I'll have to see if I can find someone else, or give it another shot myself.

 

You guys are going to have to stop posting pics on here... you're going to cost me a small fortune !!

 

The squares are still on a sheet, stuck to the transfer tape.

 

Sweet I should be shipping today...the B&W are one of my FAAAAAVES