I have a stripe kit for my car. There is a peel away backing and the bottom side of the stripes have sticky stuff. Also, there is about 1/2" clear portion extending past the black stripes all around.

It seems very difficult for me to apply long stripes and not trap air.

And I wonder if I should trim off all of the over-run clear portion.

Also, I wonder if I should cut out each stripe separately, and apply.

Right now the right side stripe is on the same piece of backing paper as the left stripe,, both stripes are 1" apart, separated by the backing paper but joined via the clear see-thru portion.

I can use some help and advise here, please and thank you.

 

Use a water mister with a couple of drops of washing up liquid mixed in. Spray the panel liberally and also the decal on the sticky side. Place the decal on the panel with the backing sheet still on, you can now slide it around to your hearts content until you get it right. Caution, don't do this in extremely hot or cold climates. If you have any air bubbles use a credit card or similar to squeeze them out. Wait until the decal has fixed before removing the backing sheet, usually the next day in Britain but if it's warm enough where you are after a couple of hours. Stand back and admire your work and pat yourself on the back.

 

I've been doing this for a living for 6 years. Wait for a warm day, its not even worth it if it is frigid out. Use a water based solvent as stated and spray tons of it underneath before you lay it down. What I would do is have a friend hold down one end, and you take the far end down to the other side of the car and pull it taught and lie it down at eye level to get it perfect.

When you are done that, run your finger down it to get the air bubbles out, this is what the solution is for, it will allow the bubbles to slide out. After it has set for a little while, go back over it with a rubber squeegee, or a credit card if one isnt available, and squeegee the hell out of it. Just make sure not to scratch your car in the process.

 

Would glass cleaner be acceptable for the soapy solution?

 

Nope! Use a soapy solution only but not too much detergent.

 

just take water and add a little soap

 

Thank you very much for all the help!

 

Actually where I work, we've used Windex before with surprising results. You'd think that it would damage the sticky element of the vinyl but it doesnt.