Applying new decals

[Ste]

Don't mean to sound daft here but has anyone got any tips or advice with applying new decals to frames etc,I've heard things like using a hair dryer to warm frame before applying,just shit scared messing up some expensive long awaited decals...cheers

[Dannywhac]

Just tried ringing you Ste - easiest way:

You'll need:

Fairy Liquid (other brands are available)
Spray bottle (optional)
Water
Masking tape (optional)
Spongy/rubbery kitchen squeegy thing or use your fingers

1. Clean frame where the deecs are going. You can put the deecs up against the frame and mark where you want em with masking tape for a guide and remove it when deecs in desired position.
2. Cup of water + 1 or 2 drops of Fairy Liquid. If you've got a spray bottle pop the fairy+water in that.
3. Apply fairy and water to frame where the deecs are going.
4. Pop on decal, slide around till in desired position.
5. Use sponge/squeegy or REALLY CAREFULLY use credit card from the centre of the deec and push the water outwards.
6. Deec should now be stuck in desired position to frame

[oldschoolace]

Or you could just peel the back off and bang them on like they did bitd. It's only our adult ocd that wants them perfect 

Dan is, of course, right in his method 

[Dannywhac]

To be honest Clint - that's what I do n'all 

Just didn't want Ste doing it the old fashioned way and ballsing it up - as he lives near me and knows where I live 

[Bmxxxx]

Yep i just peel them of the backing
And apply. Always do it that way.

[Munnyella]

and wash your hands properly before you start!!

Seen plenty ruined by mucky thumbprints, including my factory fresh white DP freestyler in 82!!

MM

[snoopy72]

To get them straight ,I wrap a piece of masking tape around the frame till it joins up perfectly, may take more than one attempt to get this right without stretching it out of shape , then place the decal on the frame and fit another piece of making tape around the frame so the decal fits in between the 2 making tape bands, mark the decal at each end with a normal felt tip pen so it can be wiped off and also mark the masking tap in the middle so you can join up the marks
pull the backing off the decal and start from the middle, work along the length of the decal a bit at a time so as not to trap any air under it , do one side at a time in case the decal overlaps , pull off the masking tape when done .
Also make sure you don't have you finger on the edge of the decal,  wash your hands just before removing the backing film and wipe the area with panel wipe 5 mins before applying the decal.
I also mark the middle of all the decals before fitting including the headstock

[glenboy]

I keep seeing it about putting water on and fairy liquid I've always just taken my time and put them on doesn't the fairy liquid  and water knacker the sticking adhesive on the decals

[snoopy72]

Use washing up liquid if you want it to rust under the decal, It contains SALT , that's why you should only do the washing up with it, surprised the amount of peeps that still wash their cars with it  and then wonder why it rots out like a fiat panda    30 years ago there was no wash wax so washing your car with washing up liquid was the norm (everyone did it)
Peeps also use it to put tyres on evenly on the rim but it will damage the inside of an alloy rim in time, tuff's are ok, just use gt85/lube when blowing up the tyre to an alloy rim  leaves a protective PTFE coating and evaporates

[Dannywhac]

doesn't the fairy liquid  and water knacker the sticking adhesive on the decals

Nope  They use a similar technique in body-shop places to apply deecs.

Use washing up liquid if you want it to rust under the decal, It contains SALT , that's why you should only do the washing up with it

And a lollerz - that's not gonna happen. One time application of a REALLY dilute mix of Fairy and water and it'll rust under the decal that you push out the solution from for it to stick? Even then it's sat in anaerobic conditions under the decal so no oxygen to make it rust. Thou art scaremongering sirrah.

Maybe if you treated it like a car and popped it out on your garage forecourt every Sunday morning for a decade and re-applied the decal.

[snoopy72]

Fair comment Dannywhac, very true,  just make sure you starve the decal of oxygen before you stick it down 

[Dannywhac]

I agree with ya that Fiat Pandas are sh1t though 

[snoopy72]

I agree with ya that Fiat Pandas are sh1t though 

They never came with an anti- corrosion warranty, rust was a characteristic of the vehicle

[Betty]

Just slap em on and hope for the best just like they did bitd 

[Ste]

Thanks fellas,cheers dan il give them a go in the week,i will prob cry if I balls them up tho...

[zombie_jesus]

I misted the area with Windex (other brands are available), threw my decal on, then slid it into the desired position. I then used a damp sponge to remove excess from behind it.