Now that you know how to remove stickers from your vehicle let’s focus on what comes before: applying them; as with removing the sticker, applying it is an art in itself and can cause some problems, especially when it comes to large stickers. The following procedures are recommended for stickers with a minimum size of 0.5 m².
Step 1: Thoroughly clean the area where you want to apply your sticker, then dry with a microfiber cloth. There should be no residue of cleaning products or oil.
Step 2: Most large stickers have a transfer sheet. Remove a small piece of it. Apply the sticker.
Step 3: Take a squeegee or credit card and remove the transfer sheet while scraping hard with your other hand. Minor positioning adjustments are now possible.
Step 4: Stick the entire sticker and look for bubbles or wrinkles. Don’t panic! This is normal but should not be ignored. You can unfold creases by spreading both hands outward. For bubbles, you need a cutter or a needle. Punch a small hole (the small gap is not noticeable afterwards) and scrape the air out of the sticker. Make sure that no new bubbles get in.
Step 5: Now, you can remove the protective film. This is relatively easy; start with the corners and end with the middle.
Step 6: Finally, roll the sticker hard with a rolling pin or similar object. This allows the glue to activate and harden properly. Depending on the type of glue, this can take several hours. Your vehicle should therefore remain parked.
Possible alternatives to traditional stickers
It doesn’t always have to be traditional stickers. In the meantime, a range of alternatives has emerged, which decorate the car and change the “design” completely. The vehicle changes its appearance entirely with an entire plastic film. To hide the appearance of their prototype, manufacturers also use this method. There are the following possibilities:
Adhesive plastic film
Although it looks like the plastic film used for traditional stickers, it has been thought of in all respects: it is elastic, flexible and resistant to heat and cold, as well as UV rays. Even the glue used is specially designed to stay on the paint for a long time without damaging it.
The lamination can be done in part, either only on some parts of the vehicle or entirely. This is called “car wrapping“. This is becoming more and more popular, even outside the professional field: private individuals also use this method to protect their car’s paintwork as much as possible. It is possible to remove the coating, but this must be done in a specialized workshop.
Adhesive stickers
Adhesive stickers are relatively new. They do not need glue and are held on only by adhesion forces. They take advantage of electrostatic charges and can be applied to many surfaces, such as a vehicle’s paintwork. For the time being, such stickers have not been created for cars since air currents while driving will enter the space charge area, dissolving the adhesive force. When this problem is solved, such use will be quite feasible and possible.
Read more:
- What’s the Point of Vehicle Signage?
- Why Will You Wrap Your Boat?
- How to Remove Stickers From Your Car?
- Are You Doing Your Vehicle Wrap Design in-House? Here Are 7 Mistakes to Avoid.
Hope this article help you decide whether or not to purchase vehicle stickers. After all, it’s a matter of personal preference and taste. It’s ultimately up to you to make a decision. Don’t forget to tell us about your experience in the comments section below.