Installing
F-Body Vinyl Inserts/Overlays I'll give you some directions here on how best to install the vinyl inserts and overlays I have which I do send with the application tape. Note: Application tape is put over the top of the vinyl and used to peel the vinyl away from the its backing and then apply the entire vinyl graphic at once. Once the vinyl is applied then the application tape is peeled away. Certain types of inserts and overlays I do include the application tape with because it is easier to install them with the tape. Because there is application tape, the installation is somewhat different than those inserts overlays and graphics which do not include the application tape. Below you'll see specific details for installing Z28 overlays but the theory will be the same for installing any vinyl graphics which will be installed with the application tape. |
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| You are going to need a few household supplies to do
the install. You'll need some rubbing alcohol, a sprayer, some cheap liquid
dishwashing soap, scissors, and some paper towels or cotton rags. NOTE: For reflective vinyl, do NOT use water as described on this page. The engineering grade reflective vinyl that I use has a different type adhesive. This adhesive sometimes doesn't respond well to installations done using water! Most times it works fine but in some cases the letters don't stick well and the edges start to peel. Not using water to aid in the installation will prevent this problem from happening (so long as the surface is clean and free of wax!). Take your CLEAN and preferably NEW sprayer bottle and fill it about 1/2 way with water. Now take your cheap (the cheaper the better!) liquid dishwashing soap and put ONE DROP in the sprayer bottle. Fill up the bottle the rest of the way with water. What this does for you is allows you some "screw up" room with your vinyl decal. The soap and water will allow you to adjust your vinyl if you don't get it perfect the first time. NOTE: Just because one drop of soap is good, don't think two drops will be better! If you get too much soap in your water (more than about a drop) it will take hours for your vinyl to dry and stick good to the car and this can cause problems. |
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| You want to start with a clean car! Wash the car good like you normally would. After you have completed washing the car, take the rubbing alcohol and a paper towel or rag and go over the area where the vinyl will be placed. This will remove any wax and oil residue from the area and ensure the vinyl decal will stick good. |  |
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| Since in this case we are actually installing an overlay and not just putting a piece of vinyl anywhere on the car, placement of the vinyl on the car is very important. Because you must place the vinyl exactly in a certain spot in order for it to look right, trim the edges of the vinyl graphic with a pair of scissors. Get as close as you can because it will make placing the vinyl over the emblem much easier! |  |
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| With everything ready to go, you are now ready to apply the overlay to the emblem. In order to give yourself a second shot (in case you screw up and you probably will ;) spray down the entire emblem with your soap and water mixture. Don't skimp with the water... it is cheap and will allow you to correct your mistakes :) |  |
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| You will also want to spray the back side of your vinyl to ensure you get enough water between the vinyl and the emblem. Peel the application tape away from the vinyl backing. As you peel the vinyl should come up with the application tape like it has in the picture to the right. If it doesn't, put the overlay back down and on a flat surface press the application tape down tight onto the vinyl and this should help it stick a little better. Once you get the application tape and vinyl peeled off the vinyl backing, lay it in your hand and spray it with your soap and water mixture as shown to the right. |  |
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| This is the critical part. GENTLY place the overlay where it should go on the emblem but do NOT press down on the overlay. Pressing down firmly will make it stick for good and if it is not in the correct position you may not be able to correct your mistake! With the overlay gently laying on top of the emblem, ensure it is in the correct position. If it is not, slowly peel it away, move it slightly, and gently place it back on the emblem. If you are having trouble seeing where it should be placed it sometimes helps if you wet the application tape... it makes it easier to "see through". Also, you may need to take it off completely and squirt some more water on the emblem and overlay if it starts to stick on you and you don't want it to. Take your time here and get it right... this Z28 overlay is probably one of the more difficult ones to install because of all the detail on the emblem. Once you are certain you have it in the correct position, gently press down on the overlay starting in the center and working your way out. This will help to remove any air bubbles trapped between the overlay and the emblem. Rub the overlay onto the emblem firmly once you have worked all the air bubbles out. |  |
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| After rubbing it for a couple minutes you may be able to remove the application tape. Gently start at one end and begin peeling the application tape back. Depending on the weather, how much soap you used, and how long you waited, the vinyl may or may not come up with the application tape. If the vinyl does start come off the emblem and up with the application tape, STOP... put the application tape back down on the vinyl overlay/emblem and rub more and wait a little longer. Once it has "dried" long enough, you will be able to gently peel the application tape off while leaving the vinyl overlay on the emblem as shown to the right. |  |
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| Once you have the application tape completely removed
you may want to hurry and get the water off the car. Just be careful and don't rub
over the vinyl just yet... give it several hours to dry to ensure it sticks good. If
you rub over it right now there is a chance it could come up. You have to give the
soapy water mixture time to evaporate from under the vinyl IF you didn't "rub"
it all out previously. Well, there you go! Enjoy! |
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