Squeegee (credit cards can be used—but carefully—as they have harder edges and may scratch the decal)
Rapid-Tac Solution—create by adding a few drops of dish-soap into a water-filled spray-bottle. Do not use glass-cleaner or another ammonia based product.
Alcohol or Water and soap to clean the surface the decal is going to be applied to.
Drying cloths.
Scissors (for large decals)
Small Decal Application
Clean and dry the surface.
Eyeball the surface and make sure you know exactly where the decal is to go and how to keep it straight.
Spray the surface with the rapid-tac solution.
Peel the paper-backing from the decal.
Position the decal in place.
Use your squeegee and small overlapping strokes from the center of the graphic outward to adhere the decal.
Carefully work out the water-bubbles, going from the center to the edge.
(In the case of cut vinyl letters (with a layer of transfer paper on top), let the decal dry a little and then slowly remove the transfer paper. Keep your squeegee handy to press the letters back on the surface if they keep clinging to the transfer paper)
Wipe the water drips away with a cloth.
Remaining tiny water bubbles will dry in sunlight.
Large Decal Application
Attempt to get an assistant for large and unwieldy graphics. They can assist with holding corners or spraying rapid-tac as well as assuring that the graphic is centered and straight.
Clean and dry the surface.
Place a strip of masking tape down the center of the graphic. Leave long strips of masking tape on both ends.
Place the decal on the surface, taping down the edges of the masking tape to the surface.
Gently fold one edge of the decal over the other side of the decal, using the masking tape as a hinge.
Peel the paper-backing from the folded section and cut the paper-backing near the hinge. Do not severe the decal and do not allow the folded section of the decal to touch the surface.
Spray the rapid-tac solution on the exposed surface and lower the folded portion of the decal into place, squeegeeing from the center of the hinge outward with small overlapping strokes.
Carefully work out the water-bubbles, going from the center to the edge.
Carefully remove the masking tape.
Fold back the other side of the decal and remove the paper-backing.
Spray the rapid-tac solution on the exposed surface and lower the folded portion of the decal into place, squeegeeing from the center of the hinge outward with small overlapping strokes.
Carefully work out the water-bubbles, going from the center to the edge.
Wipe the water drips away with a cloth.
(In the case of cut vinyl letters (with a layer of transfer paper on top), let the decal dry a little and then slowly remove the transfer paper. Keep your squeegee handy to press the letters back on the surface if they keep clinging to the transfer paper)
Wipe the water drips away with a cloth.
Remaining tiny water bubbles will dry in sunlight.