How to apply and remove vehicle stickers

How to apply and
remove vehicle
stickers
For a professional finish, please read the enclosed
guide before attempting to fix or remove your
RoadDriver vehicle stickers
RoadDriver  2011
How to apply Safety Stickers
Use the following instructions to help achieve a long-lasting professional look.
When You Receive Your Safety Stickers
Sometimes due to ambient temperature variations, Safety Stickers can arrive slightly curled
up, allow them to flatten out in a warm room. Never fold your safety sticker(s) or let them
become crimped or wrinkled. The less you handle your sticker(s) before installing them the
better.
Never expose the adhesive until you are ready to install your sticker(s). You should store your
safety sticker(s) in a warm safe place to avoid excess handling or damage prior to installation.
About Your Safety Stickers
RoadDriver Safety Stickers are made from Digisol 3 year 150 micron scuff resistant textured
monomeric film vinyl’s – which features advanced adhesive technologies, including pressure
activation, repositionability and air release channels in the adhesive, all of which help make for
a fast and easy bubble-free installation.
Our stickers have been especially designed for the novice applicator, so applying your safety
sticker(s) is easy provided you take your time and plan ahead.
The vinyl's pressure sensitive adhesive is strong and permanent but will allow you to align the
safety sticker(s) to the vehicles paintwork more than once. Please Note! That this is provided
you have not applied undue pressure on the sticker(s) and that you carefully remove the
sticker(s) immediately upon application for realignment. Once you apply pressure and
squeegee your safety sticker(s) down, you won’t be able to remove & install them a 2nd time.
You will also need to apply heat for safe removal (see removing stickers page 4).
Preparing for Installation
The backing paper is there to protect the vinyl’s adhesive so you must not remove it until you
are ready to apply your safety sticker.
Your installation will be much easier if done in a clean, wind-free environment (i.e. a recently
swept, enclosed garage). If outside installation is your only option, choose a day with little or
no wind. Never install your safety sticker(s) in the rain or if the surface temperature of your
vehicle is less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit or greater than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Materials Needed
Installation squeegee (a credit card can be used for small decals)
Dishwashing detergent
Cleaning rags (preferably lint-free)
Masking tape (to hold stickers in place)
Tape measure
A pin or needle (to release air bubbles trapped under the vinyl, if any)
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Preparation and Installation
Clean the vehicle surface thoroughly using a solution of 1 ounce of liquid dishwashing
detergent, per gallon of lukewarm water. Rinse with fresh, clean water. (All surfaces
must be considered contaminated). Avoid soaps or preparations that contain waxes,
oils or lotions; some window cleaners contain waxes which prevent proper sticker
adhesion! Be aware that the chemicals used in some automated vehicle washing
equipment may prevent good vinyl adhesion.
Dry the surface thoroughly with clean towels (preferably lint-free). Moisture prevents
the adhesive from adhering correctly, can also cause bubbles which can freeze in
cold environments. Any moisture trapped beneath the sticker(s) may cause the
sticker(s) to fail prematurely. Moisture can rapidly accumulate after you dry your
vehicle in high humidity environments. (Freshly painted surfaces must cure for a
minimum of 3 days prior to applying safety sticker/s.)
Avoid installing your safety sticker(s) on extremely curved surfaces, over unpainted
plastic, rubber, or Teflon surfaces. The stickers’ adhesive does not adhere well to
these materials.
Wipe the surface again ensuring the surface is completely dry before proceeding to
install your safety sticker(s).
Installing your sticker(s)
1. Without removing the backing paper, apply small pieces of masking tape at the
corners of your safety sticker(s) to temporarily hold the sticker exactly where you want
to install it on your vehicle. Using a tape measure, make sure the sticker is straight
and centred. Step back and look at it. If you are satisfied with the placement of the
sticker, apply some masking tape directly above and along the length of your safety
sticker. Do the same down one side of the sticker making sure you do not apply any
masking tape to the safety sticker itself. This will give you an L shape right angle of
masking tape with straight edges by which to align your sticker.
2. Remove the small pieces of masking tape that were keeping the sticker in position,
remove the sticker leaving the right angle L masking tape in position.
3. Peel the surface (printed side) of the sticker away from the backing paper downwards
and along the left hand side of the sticker moving to the right until you reach the
centre of the sticker, half of the sticker should now have no backing paper attached.
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Installation and Caring for Stickers
4. Using the right angled masking tape as your guide; Position the half peeled area of
the sticker against the vehicle and stick the vinyl lightly down with up and down even
strokes with your thumb. Having applied half the sticker to the vehicle’s surface,
remove the remainder of the backing paper by pulling it to the right as you
simultaneously stick the remaining vinyl lightly down through up and down even
strokes with your thumb.
5. Stand back and ensure your sticker is in the correct position. If satisfied that the
sticker is in the right position, squeegee the sticker to the surface by applying
pressure with firm smooth even strokes, holding the squeegee or credit card at a 45
degree angle to the vehicle surface. Start at the middle of the sticker and work your
way out to the left using overlapping squeegee strokes to be sure you don’t miss any
areas.
6. Repeat the same procedure for the right-hand side of your sticker. (All areas of the
adhesive must have firm pressure applied to activate the adhesive).
7. Squeegee the entire sticker a second time, beginning in the middle and working your
way out left then right (working out any bubbles or wrinkles as you go). Back up and
admire your new RoadDriver safety sticker.
Caring for Your RoadDriver Stickers
Hand washing is recommended. High pressure washers and harsh chemicals should be
avoided. Many of our customers have used automated car washes and have reported no
problems, but we do not recommend it. Avoid using solvents, ammonia, and or bleach
based cleansers.
Keep high pressure nozzles at least 18 inches away from the edge of the graphic. High
pressure sprays may cause the edge of the graphic to peel away from the vehicle.
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Test cleaning solutions on a small section of the safety sticker before using on the
entire surface.
Do not use aromatic solvents such as acetone, M.E.K., toluene, paint thinner or
lacquer thinner on the sticker(s). Solvents may soften or smear colours.
Do not overcoat the safety sticker(s) with clear plastic.
Do not allow petrol or other fuels to drip or remain on safety sticker(s) for any length
of time. If a spill occurs, wipe off and rinse with water immediately.
Do not paint over safety stickers.
Do not apply wax over safety sticker(s), especially if the wax contains a petroleum
distillate.
Vinyl sticker(s) will have a shorter life expectancy when exposed to severe heat and
sunlight.
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Removing or replacing Vehicle Stickers
Please Note! If a sticker has been applied to a vehicle’s paintwork for longer than an hour,
under no circumstances should you try to remove the sticker cold.
Removal of sticker(s) is done entirely at your own risk. RoadDriver accepts no responsibility
for any damage done to vehicles or their paintwork either during the fixing or removal
process. If in doubt, seek professional help.
Do not use harsh chemicals to remove vinyl stickers, as they could damage the paint on
your vehicle. Do not attempt to peel the sticker with a razor blade or any other sharp object.
Anything sharper than a fingernail may cause permanent damage to the vehicles paint
work.
Removing or replacing your RoadDriver safety sticker/s is an easy process providing you
take your time and follow a few simple guidelines.
You will need a few items for removing the sticker:
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Hair dryer
Strong finger nails
Plastic ice scraper
Autoglym Tar and glue remover
T-cut polish
Caution! Using a hair dryer outside in wet conditions could result in electrocution. Only use
electrical equipment outside in dry conditions and only if you are confident with their use.
1. The key to removing stickers safely and successfully is to first apply a little heat to
the sticker which softens the adhesive underneath and makes the vinyl itself softer
and more malleable. A hair dryer should be used instead of a heat gun as a heat gun
can get too hot which could result in the paint being lifted off from the surface along
with the vinyl.
2. Aiming at the corners and edges, hold the hairdryer about two to three inches away
from the surface of the sticker keeping it moving in a sweeping motion as if you’re
drying your hair. What you are trying to achieve is to warm the vinyl sticker and also
warm the panel of the vehicle at the same time.
3. When the edges and corners have been sufficiently warmed up, you should be able
to use your finger nail to peel the sticker edges away from the paintwork.
4. Once you have got it started, continue peeling the sticker off by pulling firmly but
slowly along the surface rather than straight out. On larger areas you may need to
heat and remove smaller sections at a time, as a large metal panel will soon cool
down.
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Removing or replacing Vehicle Stickers
5. This may leave some glue residue behind; if it does, the best thing to use is Autoglym
tar and glue remover which is readily available from all good car accessory shops.
You may need to repeat this process a few times if the adhesive residue is stubborn.
Mentholated spirits does a good job of removing the glue residue and any grease the
tar remover can leave behind.
6. After the vinyl stickers & adhesive residue has been removed the area should be
thoroughly washed and dried to remove any product residue.
7. Depending on the colour of the vehicle and how long the sticker has been attached, it
may leave a shadow effect behind. This is caused by the surrounding paintwork being
affected by the sun. The paintwork that was under the vinyl sticker has remained
shielded, therefore may appear slightly darker.
8. To resolve this problem, all you need to do is use some T-cut and some elbow grease
on the panel in question. A wax or sealant product should then finally be used to
protect the paintwork that has been worked upon.
Legal Disclaimer
Since RoadDriver is not there to install a customer’s safety stickers, it is not possible for us to
confirm that the safety sticker(s) were applied properly or to a suitable clean surface,
therefore, we cannot accept responsibility for ANY damage to the safety stickers or any
surfaces they are being applied to during installation by the customer.
We do not advise application on a re-sprayed painted surface, or on poor quality or rusted
paintwork.
Please ensure you read and follow the instructions on how best to apply and remove safety
sticker(s). These instructions are a general guide, if you, as a customer, are not certain about
applying or removing safety sticker(s); it is your sole responsibility to seek professional help.
This applies both to paying customers and those customers who receive our free RoadDriver
stickers.
RoadDriver gives no warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability, and fitness for the purpose our safety stickers were intended
for.
RoadDriver Ltd will not be held liable for any damages incurred directly or indirectly on
vehicles their operators or on any person employed or otherwise to fix or secure our safety
stickers to your vehicle or vehicles.
RoadDriver Ltd cannot be responsible for colour fading or damage to paintwork when safety
stickers are removed. Careful removal of our safety stickers from good quality, factory
original paintwork, will not damage the paintwork.
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