Put Graphics on a Car
You can put graphics on a car without having to paint them on. Vinyl graphics are easy to install and to uninstall in the event of selling the vehicle or purchasing a new vehicle with graphics you are less than fond of. You can purchase graphics to put on your car at many auto shops and online dealers, or have graphics specially made from your own designs. Custom graphic paint jobs require the use of adhesive graphic stencils.
Instructions
1. Clean the exterior surface where the graphic will go. Use a dilution of one teaspoon of mild hand soap to a gallon of water to clean the surface of the car and remove dust, dirt and grease. Wipe the surface dry with a lint-free cloth.
2. Rest the graphic decal into place, figuring out exactly where you want the graphic to adhere before removing the backing of the graphic and exposing the adhesive part. Have a friend help you with long graphic pieces.
3. Spray on the graphic adhesive or the soap and water mixture from Step 1; if you cannot find a graphic adhesive, the soap and water mixture can be used instead and poured into a spray bottle for easy application. Wet down the entire area underneath and around where the graphic will go, leaving no dry spots.
4. Pull the sticky backing completely off of the graphic decal. Spray the sticky backing with the adhesive spray or soap and water mixture. Keep the decal straight to prevent the graphic from sticking to itself.
5. Set the graphic into place on the side of your vehicle. Slide the piece around very slowly, with gentle movements until the graphic is in place.
6. Work from the center of the decal outwards to remove creases, air bubbles and to push out the liquid between the decal and the surface of your car. Repeat this step several times to remove all air bubbles and liquid from underneath the graphic decal.
7. Allow the graphic to dry for at least a half-hour or overnight, if possible, before removing the top layer of the graphic decal. Pull the clear top layer of the graphic straight up and off the graphic after all liquid underneath the graphic has dried.
