Graphics-Please Help

[jayman]

I just received some graphics and a seat cover from N-Style and of course no directions came with them.  Can I use soapy water (like tinting windows) to allow the graphics to move around?  Also with the seat cover do you need to allow it to get get hot (stretch) prior to stapling to the seat?  Please help me I would like to put these items on tonight. Thank you in advance.

[Toomey]

The graphics I think come with a glue on them that will just stick to the plastic, so just make sure the plastic is totally clean and I think you just put them on.  The seat cover, it would probably help to have it warm so it'd be more stretchy.

[jayman]

Thanks but my question is can I use water on the 3m tape or will it ruin it.  I want to use the water because I can then adjust the sticker if it does not look 100% and also I can then get all of the air bubbles out.

[TRX450R_Racer]

You are correct in both statements. You can use soapy water. Make sure you put it in the sun when your done to dry it completely. Get a bondo speader or use a credit card to smooth them out. Always start in the center and work your way out. If you get any bubbles youncan't smooth out you can poke a small hole with a pin to get the air out. Also I would let the seat cover set in the sun to soften up a little. It is a lot easier to do the seat cover with 2 people. Make sure you have a something solid to do the seat cover on to get a solid shot on so the staples go all the way in. Also most trim shop will intall the seat cover for about $15 or $20. Good Luck

[Toomey]

I'm really not sure about that one, I've never installed a set of graphics really.

[jayman]

Thank you for the help.  Just as I figured with the soapy water, just did not want to ruin the glue on the 3m sticker. 

[backinsaddle]

I'd also use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm up the plastic and sticker

[jayman]

Good idea with the hair dryer.  Now who is up to the task of putting these graphis on my baby.  Seriously though I believe that the graphics are going to be much easier than the seat cover. 

[TRX450R_Racer]

Be careful with the hair dryer you can distort them very easily. I wouldn't use it unless you need to go on an odd shape surface.

[MOTOCROSS MAVERICK]

Be careful with the hair dryer you can distort them very easily. I wouldn't use it unless you need to go on an odd shape surface.

i have a question. what does the hair dryer supposed to do on the odd surfaces? is it supposed to shrink it on or what?

[backinsaddle]

i have a question. what does the hair dryer supposed to do on the odd surfaces? is it supposed to shrink it on or what?

Helps get the glue good and tacky so the decals stick better...less likely to come off.  Doesn't matter if it's an odd surface or not.  It is easier to form the sticker to odd surfaces though as the decal will be a bit softer when warmed up some.  If you're experienced and have a good eye, you can heat the sticker before you're applying (not so hot you can't touch it, just enough to soften it up).  The only problem with heating beforehand, if you don't apply the sticker the way you want it, you may not be able to get it off to relocate it. 

You can also heat after applying the graphic, then rub the sticker on well.  I use the backing I pulled off the graphic and rub the entire sticker well with my thumb (the backing slips on the surface well)

[jayman]

I will attempt these graphics tonight and then I will  let you know the results.  Once again thanks to everyone for the quick responses.

[jayman]

Just an update, I applied the graphics using soapy water and of course that did not work.  Maybe I used to much soap or to much water but the graphics would not even stay on the plastics.  I finally got rid of the water completely and just stuck them on.  Unfortunatley I have aftermarket plastics and the graphics did not line up so I had to cut all of them.  In the end they look ok but I am not happy with the way they look so I will probabely take them off.  Once again thank of all you for the help.

[TRX450R_Racer]

Be careful with the hair dryer you can distort them very easily. I wouldn't use it unless you need to go on an odd shape surface.

i have a question. what does the hair dryer supposed to do on the odd surfaces? is it supposed to shrink it on or what?

Heat helps them strech over curves and angles. I'm not a pro but I've done a bunch of those and learned by trial and error.