Vehicle Graphics

Print these instructions and keep them at your side when doing the installation.

WARNING
Applying vinyl graphics is not a difficult process, but it may be challenging to the novice who has never worked with the material. We recommend that beginners consider getting help from a local sign shop. The cost of having a professional do the application could be well worth it.

Vinyl graphics generally come in one piece and are sandwiched between a paper layer of transfer tape and a wax layer of backing.
The transfer tape is a low tack sheet that will lift your graphic in one piece. The transfer tape is no match for the vinyl's pressure sensitive adhesive which will bond to the surface of the vehicle or boat very tightly.

You will need only a few things to complete the installation.

Mildly soapy water in a spray bottle or mister. Use three or four drops per quart.
A piece of hard plastic, or squeegee.
A roll of masking tape.
An Exacto blade.
A tape measure

Vinyl should never be applied in temperatures less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celsius. The vehicle or boat surface should be very clean for best results.

Temporarily tape vinyl graphics to the vehicle or boat.
Start with a piece of tape on one top corner. With the backing still on the graphics. You can always move it if you don't like the position.
Bring the other side into position and tack it down with another piece of tape.

"Hinge" the graphic along the top of the graphic with a long piece of tape. Half the tape should be on the transfer paper and half on the vehicle or boat.

Now when you flip the graphic back to remove the wax paper, everything stays in place.
Peel back the wax paper and expose the sticky side of the vinyl. Long vinyl graphics sometimes call for a helper at this point.
Many times it's easier to smooth out the name if you mist the adhesive backing with a little soapy water. Wetting it also prevents it from sticking immediately. Usually a wet application is good, then again, if it's too soapy and doesn't stick at all, you have to rinse some of that soap off with fresh water. Generally, use the wet application as it's easier to squeegee out water bubbles than it is to squeeze out air bubbles.
Lay the vinyl close to the vehicle or boat hull. It won't stick if you've wet it down, especially if you don't press it too hard. It's called "pressure sensitive" vinyl which means that the harder it is pressed, the harder it sticks. Holding the free edge tautly, just off the surface , pull the squeegee across the center of the graphic to get a good center line of adhesion.
Now you can lift one of the sides up and squeegee from the center line toward the edges. ALWAYS work from the center toward the edges!! Do this to avoid trapping air or water bubbles.

Finish off the other half the same way (from the center to the edges, then from the middle to the top and bottom). If you started with a good centerline, the rest of the vinyl will fall into place.

Finish by spraying down the transfer tape with that spray bottle. Squeegee a little more for good measure and let that water soak into the tape. The water not only helps you apply the vinyl smoothly, it also loosens the tape and helps to remove it without pulling the vinyl back off the boat. Pop any bubbles with a pin point and press out the air or water. Any water bubbles will evaporate.

AMA, Inc. agrees to correct by replacement at our own expense at our option, any defects in the product which is due to AMA, Inc. fault or negligence. AMA, Inc. shall have the right to inspect the product prior to making any decision on such defects. When inspection proves the claim, and provided that the product was properly cared for, AMA, Inc. will fulfill all obligations to the purchaser to correct such defects.
AMA, Inc. does not cover claims of damage caused during shipment, improper installation, use in extreme conditions, and improper care of graphics.