Air bubbles in the tape stripe / decal - how to avoid?

[VicR]

The tape stripe/ decal on the B pillar of my 99 cracked so I got a replacement mopar part. The removal/ install went well except I have about a dozen tiny air bubbles. This was last night and the truck is sitting in the sun now but I'm not optimistic. I will probably end up ordering another one and trying again. There must be a secret to doing this - any tips? I used a squeegee and went top to bottom just like the book said.



Thanks - Vic

 

[Bob4x4]

Saturate the metal panel with a soapy solution via spray bottle,apply applique,gently squeegy out from center.

 

[EricBu12]

You can poke the sticker with a pin, then squeeze the air out

 

[Loren]

Vic,



When I got my brand new tractor it had decals all over it warning of various hazards. Most of those decals had air bubbles.



I was going to get the dealer to replace the decals under warranty, but before I got around to taking the tractor back, the bubbles went away by themselves.



Give that decal a little time and see if it gets better before you replace it. You may not have to.



Good luck.



– Loren

 

[JacksonH]

use a credit card as a squeegee. ditto the needle pin to pop bubbles.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I worked for a fire truck manufacturer. Saw lots of stripes and lettering installed on ~1400 trucks per year. Unfortunately, I saw no miracles. Soapy water, squeegee, needle, and hard work is all I saw. And ocassionally peeling it off and starting over.

 

[DennyDay]

I learned something new from an intall shop the other day, - - - I and tried it - - - AND IT WORKS GREAT

Use a 50-50 mix of isopropal alcohol in a spray bottle. spray the area the decal is supposed to go,use a credit card as a squeege, and working from the center out squeege the whole decal and you are done. Shouldn't have any air bubbles, but if you do they will dry quickly using alcoholand you can press them out. Oo. Oo.

 

[JacksonH]

Stabilo pencils WILL write on any surface AND wipe off most surfaces. One can use tape also. Find and mark the center of the cover carrier paper, on top of the decal/copy/grafixs. Also mark a center line on the vehicle, plus left & right horizontal marks, to keep things looking level and spaced right. Big decals are better done with two people. Spray the vehicle surface and the back of the decal thoroughly. As long as it's wet between surface and decal you move it around, adjust, or take it of and start again. Wet cant hurt a thing. But once it dries it ON!!

 

[firefighter_2000]

Part number?

Do you happen to have a part number for the decals? Both of mine are peeling and look like crap. I'd like to replace them.

Thanks

Craig