How to fit car stickers yourself
Have you already decided, or are you thinking about whether to apply car stickers yourself? In reality, there's nothing complicated about it. Dive into the instructions below, and you'll definitely manage it yourself.
Good tools will be helpful on this occasion too. We recommend Avery blue squeegees for sticking, and for cleaning, you'll need at least the most common non-gloss glass cleaner.
A sufficiently warm environment
If the surface of your car is cold and the air is also very cold, the adhesive on the sticker will not activate. The sticker might attach to the surface initially, but it will eventually come loose without warmth. Ideally, the temperature indoors should be at least 20 degrees Celsius.
Spatula or bank card
A credit card will do the job, but for the best result, you might want to have a proper squeegee. Our recommendation, and that of most other professionals, is the Avery blue squeegee.
Telli Avery spatulaCleaning agent
The keyword for the cleaning agent is a lot of alcohol and few additives. It should not make the surface glossy. It is important to remove grease, soap, and other adhesive-repelling substances from the surface.
Cleaning agentCleaning cloth
Our recommendation is to use a microfibre cloth, not paper. It might not make a difference on a work bus, but paper actually damages the paintwork quite considerably and causes it to lose its shine.
Cleaning clothsMasking tape or magnets
Masking tape and special magnets are both suitable for applying stickers. With these, you can fix the sticker to the surface after measuring. You can order both good quality tape and special magnets from us. What's more, we buy back the magnets at the same price!
Mounting tape and magnetsTape measure
It is sensible to determine the sticker's location as accurately as possible before installation. Otherwise, it will bother you later. Use a standard tape measure for this.
Preparation of the pinna
1
Clean start, sure result
Remove dirt, dust, and oil residue from the surface using an alcohol-based cleaning agent and a soft microfibre cloth. This step ensures the long-term adhesion of the sticker.
2
Fat freedom ensures persistence
Ensure that no greasy residue is left on the surface. If necessary, clean the surface again to ensure perfect adhesion of the sticker.
3
Dry surface – better adhesion
Allow the cleaned surface to dry or dry it with a microfibre cloth. Even a small amount of moisture can affect the adhesion of the sticker.
4
The right temperature is half the battle.
To apply the sticker, choose a temperature between +10°C and +25°C. Avoid severe cold or direct sunlight.
Sticker installation
1
Precise adjustment, ideal result
Measure and mark the exact position of the sticker on the surface. Use tape or magnets to ensure the sticker is straight and symmetrical during installation.
2
Remove and be ready to install
Choose the edge of the sticker from where you will begin the installation. Carefully peel the tape from the surface on that side and partially remove the backing paper. Turn it over behind the sticker. If it becomes too much of a nuisance, you can also cut it off with scissors. Do not tear it!
3
Smooth it out – no bubbles
Press the sticker onto the surface with a tool or bank card, holding it at approximately a 45-degree angle away from the sticker. This will prevent air bubbles from getting under the sticker. Remove the next section of backing paper and, if necessary, any transfer tape. Repeat this process until the entire sticker is on the surface.
4
Patience leads to success.
If the sticker has tricky areas, such as edges or curves, press them down carefully in small increments. Take your time to get all the details in place.
5
The final stage
Finally, carefully remove the transfer paper from the sticker. Make sure the sticker does not peel off anywhere. If necessary, use a tool and press the sticker more firmly onto the surface.
Do not wash the car for 1-2 weeks
The adhesive on the sticker will fully activate within 1-2 weeks. We do not recommend washing the car during this period. High-pressure washing can force water under the edges of the sticker, which may then cause the sticker to peel off the surface.
Do not wash at too steep an angle
When pressure washing, use an angle of no more than 45 degrees. Otherwise, you will force water under the edge of the sticker yourself, increasing the risk of damage. If you take your car to a car wash, it's also advisable to remind them of this.
Check the edges of the stickers
It's especially worth checking the edges of the sticker after washing. If dirt hasn't already accumulated there, let the surface dry and then press the sticker firmly back onto the surface with a tool or your finger.