1 - Clean the surface of the boat where you will apply the
lettering. Remove all dirt and wax, along with any previous lettering graphics.
( Do Not let the white backing paper get wet. You will not be able to remove the
white backing paper from the stickers if you do! )
2 - Tape the lettering to the boat to position it. Use two
small pieces of tape, one for each top corner of the cf number.
Do not remove any backing or paper covering. Adjust the lettering as necessary
to locate it exactly where you want it to be. Use a tape measure to measure from
each corner to the top of the side of the boat to make sure the lettering is
level.
3 - Make a hinge with a long piece of tape and apply it to
the top edge of the clear cover tape. This hinge must be strong and able to hold
the lettering in place, so ensure that half the tape is on the boat and half is
on the clear transfer tape. Caution! - The exposed lettering is pressure
sensitive if the exposed lettering accidently moves and sticks where you do not
want it, it
be repositioned!
( Sometimes you might get lucky if you can peel up an edge with a razor blade
but don't count on it...) Flip the lettering up and back to test that it is
going to stay in place.
4 - Flip the graphic up and carefully peel back and remove
the white paper backing so that the sticky side of the vinyl is exposed, As you
are peeling the back away, make sure the lettering stays stuck to the clear side
not the white backing paper.
5 - *Completely Optional - After the white backing paper
has been remover, spritz the back of the vinyl lettering with slightly soapy
water. If there is too much soap in the water, the graphic will not stick and
you will have to wash off the soap with clean water. Get the backing only
slightly wet.
The reason for wetting the back is that it is easier to squeegee out water
bubbles than air bubbles when you apply the lettering to the boat. The water
evaporates completely from under the graphic after several days.
6 - Flip the graphic slowly back down to the hull but do
not press. If you followed step 5 above, It will not stick to the boat
immediately because it is wet. If you skipped step 5 above it will stick
immediately upon contact. Hold one lower corner taut and slightly away from the
boat.
7 - Use a squeegee to press a line vertically down the
middle of the graphic to create a center line of adhesion
8 - Lift up the side of the graphic without letting go of
the corner you are holding. Squeegee from the line of adhesion toward the
opposite side of the graphic using even pressure and a constant stroke. Squeegee
that same side from the middle horizontal axis to the top and then from the
horizontal axis to the bottom. Always squeegee from the center to the edges to
squeeze out water and air.
9 - Repeat this process on the other side of the
lettering. If you made a solid central line of adhesion, the rest of the graphic
will fall into place with no problems.
10 - Squeegee the top clear transfer tape layer of the cf
number again to ensure the entire graphic is pressed onto the boat.
11 - Slowly pull the clear transfer tape off the cf number
from one corner carefully to avoid pulling the vinyl lettering off the hull. Pop
any bubbles with a pin and press out the air or water.
12 - Don't stress, It's actually a lot easier to do than
it sounds. Any Questions?
