First, ensure that your application surface is free of any dirt, dust, or debris prior to installation. While these contaminants are small, they can mean big problems for the quality and longevity of your DIYWraps installation. We recommend prepping your surface with isopropyl alcohol.
While our installation process is simple enough for a single person to complete, you may want a buddy to help with your first installation (or two!). Sometimes having an extra set of eyes is a tremendous help when it comes to perfecting decal placement.
Keep your application tool close by throughout the process. The DIYWraps application tool is your key to getting a professional quality installation. For larger installs, we recommend cleaning the felt strip on your squeegee regularly to prevent scratching your graphics.
SimpleTack Installation Steps
Clean and prep your surface for application with isopropyl alcohol (available at any general store.) For overly contaminated or dirty surfaces, use a general cleaner such as Purple Power or Simple Green to clean prior to using the isopropyl alcohol as a final wipe down.
For graphics larger than 4 square feet in size, we highly recommend the use of a squeegee or our application tool which can be added to your order for $5.99.
Begin by peeling away about half of the adhesive backing. Carefully place your top corners at your desired location and press across the top edge to make a secure bond with your application surface.
Work your way down the decal, continuing to press the adhesive side against your surface. Be sure to remove out any air bubbles that may form by simply pushing them out to an edge with your finger.
Carefully pull off more of the adhesive backing and continue to press the decal against your surface. You can push out air bubbles as they form to ensure a smooth and even bond.
Should the film wrinkle or crease as you work, simply pull the film back up and carefully work the film down with narrow passes from the middle out.
Continue working in this fashion until there is about 2” of adhesive backing remaining on your decal. You can then remove the backing entirely and finish application by pushing any remaining air bubbles out the bottom edge of the decal.
EnduraTack Installation Steps
Clean and prep your surface for application with isopropyl alcohol (available at any general store.) For overly contaminated or dirty surfaces, use a general cleaner such as Purple Power or Simple Green to clean prior to using the isopropyl alcohol as a final wipe down.
Start with your decal on a clean, flat surface. Peel back about 5 inches of the adhesive backing and crease it slightly so it folds over.
Move your decal over to your application surface. Line your decal up as desired and begin by lightly securing the corners to the surface. Before firmly securing the exposed adhesive to your surface, ensure that the decal is lined up just how you want it. Our EnduraTack adhesive is removable, but NOT repositionable once fully installed. If you are unhappy with your initial placement of your decal, you can gently pull up the tacked corners and reposition as needed.
Once you are happy with the placement of your decal, you can press the center of the top edge into place. At this point, your decal should be tacked in three spots: top left corner, top right corner, and at the center of these two points.
Now, take your application tool and hold it at a 30° angle. Gently slide the squeegee from the middle of your decal out to each side, in order to remove any air bubbles and make a secure contact with your application surface.
Once your exposed adhesive is secured to the surface, pull off a few more inches of the backing, and continue to apply the decal as explained above. Continue working in this fashion until there is about 2” of adhesive backing remaining on your decal. You can then remove the backing entirely and finish application by smoothing out any air bubbles that may have formed during application.
If a wrinkle forms on your decal during application, all you need to do is pull up gently from the bottom to release the adhesive, and continue application as explained above. In extreme cases, a heat gun may be required to loosen the adhesive.
Removal Tips
To reduce the chance of damaging surfaces, it is best to remove installed graphics within a 5-year period. Adhesive films do tend to develop a stronger bond with surfaces over time.
SimpleTack products should remove easily by just peeling up a corner of the graphic and gently pulling it off the surface. Our revolutionary adhesives leave NO glue or adhesive residue on surfaces upon removal.
EnduraTack products are removable from durable surfaces such as glass and OEM factory vehicle finishes. Any automotive surfaces which have been repainted are at risk of paint damage from removal of any graphic materials, including but not limited to EnduraTack products. The use of heat is very helpful for the removal of EnduraTack films. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the decal up to an estimated 150 degrees to reduce the adhesion level, and peel graphic back at a 180 degree angle (against itself.) Do not overheat to areas as to not burn or damage application surfaces. Any residual glue adhesive may be removed with any bug and tar remover available at auto parts stores.
