Custom Center Caps LLC

The Center of Attention

9915 W. Bell Rd. Sun City, AZ 85351

Installation Instructions for CCC Vinyl Colorfill Accent Lettering Decals

Read the instructions completely to be sure that you understand them fully before starting the installation.

If you have never installed Vinyl Graphics before, we strongly recommend that you consider having them professionally installed.

Materials needed:

CCC Installation Kit:

 Highly recommended
 (purchased  separately, includes special adhesion promoting application fluid,
non scratch squeegee, 
and decal installation instruction sheet).
As an alternative to the Installation kit, the 
following may be used: 		Application Fluid: 
3 or 4 drops of dishwashing liquid in a quart of water in a clean spray bottle.
Squeegee: 
The edge of a credit card can be used, but be careful not to scratch the decal.
Dishwashing Liquid:  Dawn is recommended
Isopropyl alcohol:  from drug store
white paper towels:  plain without any color

Preparation: First, and most important, wash your hands! Remove all body oil with a good hand washing. Body oil is a primary cause of graphics that peel. Also, clean the surface to which you are going to apply the decal with dishwashing soap and water. Eliminate every possible trace of road grime, dirt, oils or other contaminants. After washing, dry thoroughly with a paper towel. Then clean off any soap residue and/or silicone wax residues using a paper towel that is damp with Isopropyl Alcohol, not wet. Dry the Alcohol quickly with a fresh paper towel to eliminate any haze.

Applying the decal: The graphic consists of three layers. The top layer is the Application Tape, which
supports the graphic during installation. Next is the Vinyl Graphic itself, which has a pressure sensitive adhesive on the back, and the back layer is the backing paper, which protects the adhesive until you apply the graphic.

Do not remove the application tape from the decal yet.
Remove the decal from the backing paper. Be sure not to let the sticky side of the vinyl touch anything, or itself. If you do, the vinyl will be unable to be used. Do not touch the backside of the decal with your fingers any more than necessary. It will hurt the adhesion of the decal.

If you do not want to use the text strip at the bottom of the decal, you can cut it off with a scissors.
You can then discard it, or use it elsewhere.

At this point you must make a decision about the Application Method that you will use.
There are two commonly used methods, Dry and Wet.
Each has advantages, Most professional installers use the dry method because of its slightly longer lasting adhesive properties. The wet method, on the other hand is much, much easier to do and much more forgiving of mistakes. With the dry method, once you allow the graphic to touch the surface, it is attached and is nearly impossible to move without destroying the graphic.. The wet method can be moved around somewhat to correct misalignment.
The wet method is highly recommended, especially if you are not an expert at applying graphics.
The procedure for the dry method is basically the same except for the spraying on of the application fluid.

If you are going to use the wet method, after removing the decal from the backing paper, spray the exposed adhesive on the vinyl generously with the application fluid.

Once you spray the application fluid on the decal, you must work quickly as the fluid will dry in a few minutes.

Holding the decal taut, but not stretched, by the application tape, get it aligned the way you want it, and lightly touch it down on the surface. Start at the center and working your way toward the edges, lightly press it down with your fingers.

Remember, if you are using the dry method, the position where you put it down is where it will stay. Do not attempt to reposition it!

if you are using the wet method, you can move it around a bit to get it aligned properly, and you can work out any bubbles that you may have created by working them towards the edge. Do not worry about tiny bubbles, as they will disappear with time, however any larger bubbles must be gotten rid of right away. Once dry however, it is more difficult, you need to stick the bubble with a sewing needle, and then with your fingers work the air in the bubble towards the hole that you made, until all of the air is out, and then squeegee the bubble down.

Once the decal is where you want it, squeegee from the center towards the edges to press it down well, paying special attention to the edges. Be careful not to move the decal out of position with the squeegee. Wetting the squeegee with application fluid helps to keep it from moving the decal.

After pressing it down, allow a few minutes for the application fluid to dry, blot away any remaining moisture with a paper towel, and press it down with the squeegee again. Squeegee it well, working out any bubbles that you may have created. Allow to dry thoroughly.
You can then remove the application tape by peeling it back at a sharp angle.