From kids adding stickers to their notebooks to adults decorating their cars with a bumper sticker— personalisation is fantastic. Besides, custom bumper stickers are an excellent way to advertise your business or simply share your opinions with the world.
Although many retailers can help you apply the stickers, you should do it yourself in the true spirit of personalisation. Moreover, DIY can save you a lot of money.
So, roll your sleeves up and get started! The following is a step-by-step guide and some tips to get it right.
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Three Simple Steps to Apply Bumper Stickers on Your Car
Before you apply the sticker, it is important to determine the desired location for it. This step is especially vital if you have a large bumper sticker that can stretch widely across the surface.
Once you know where you want to apply the sticker, you can go ahead with the following steps.
Step #1. Start With a Clean Surface
Before you lay your sticker on the bumper, make sure to clean the surface thoroughly. You can use a mixture of water and soap or isopropyl alcohol solution to remove the residue. After cleaning, dry the surface properly with a microfibre cloth.
Step #2. Stick Onto the Surface
Once the surface is clean and dry, you can peel off the paper, backing off the sticker and place it where you want. Then, position it correctly and rub down the sticker. You can use your thumb to rub it from the centre to the ends.
While doing so, be careful not to get any bubbles or stretch the vinyl. If there are more air bubbles, you can prick them with a sharp pin to force the air out. Alternatively, you can use straight-edged tools to apply pressure and force out the bubbles.
Step #3. Leave the Tapes While it Dries
While you can immediately remove the transfer tape, it is better to leave it to dry for some time. You can wait for anywhere between thirty minutes to an hour before removing the tape.
This step will make it easier to remove the transfer tape and reduce the chances of damage to the sticker.
Some Essential Tips to Get Things Right
For the best results, you need to follow some crucial tips and tricks. It ranges from applying the sticker at the right temperature to dealing with the bubbles.
- When applying the bumper stickers, park your vehicle in the shade away from the direct sunlight.
- You can also use masking tape to position the sticker perfectly.
- The water method (applying stickers when the surface is wet) is an excellent way to apply large However, it is not the best choice for small stickers.
- Ensure the transfer tape is pressed firmly together with the sticker.
- Depending on the size, you should choose between taking the backing off at once or removing one portion at a time.
- For large bumper stickers, do not remove the backing fully, instead, remove one-third of the backing and slowly pull out the rest.
- You can trim around the obstructions and fenders using a razor blade.
- Do not use any heat source such as a hairdryer to speed up the drying process.
Final Takeaway
Once you determine the right location for the sticker, you can clean the surface and start the process. With a little effort and a lot of patience, you can customise your car like a pro.
Further, these steps will prevent you from turning an attractive sticker into a disorganised blemish on the car surface. Make sure to buy a high-quality sticker from a reputed manufacturer to ensure the design does not lose its appeal quickly.