Car enthusiasts are divided about their opinion about putting decals on their vehicles. Some are in favor of beautifying their cars with bumper stickers, while others prefer to keep their exterior paints spotless and plain all the time. But bumper stickers can serve various purposes, like adding more aesthetic design on the vehicle or giving it a more personal touch.
If you are the type of car owner who loves to put bumper stickers on your vehicle, you must know how to stick it properly. It must be properly attached to protect the car paint’s integrity and make the sticker stay in place for a long time. Here are several clever tips to put the stickers on the bumper of your beloved automobile.
Tip #1: Begin With A Clean Surface
Prepare the area where you want to apply your bumper stickers by cleaning it properly. You may use a mixture of gentle soap and water or a 50/50 solution of isopropyl alcohol and water. Gently scrub the area to remove filth and dirt. Once cleaned, you need to rinse it right away until all residues are removed. Avoid using window-cleaners because they often leave tough residues behind, making it harder to keep the stickers in place.
Tip #2: Schedule Sticker Application During Pleasant Weather
Stickers can attach well if the temperatures are favorable. To get the best results, you may install the bumper stickers when the weather temperature is somewhere below 90 degrees F (32.2 degrees C) but above 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). You must also consider putting the stickers while your car is parked at a shaded area to keep you away from the direct heat of the sun.
Tip #3: Consider Using Masking Tape
If you have a specific area in your car where you want to put the bumper stickers, you may use a masking tape to ensure that it will stay in place. The masking tape will serve as a guide to position the bumper sticker. You only need to gradually peel off the white backing paper using your thumb while the edge is attached to the spot with a masking tape.
Tip #4: Use The Wet Application Method
You may attach most smaller stickers without using water. But larger sized stickers may stick better using the wet method. To do this, you need to wet the spot where you want to see the bumper stickers after cleaning the surface. You need a 5% soap-95% water solution for this purpose.
You must begin applying the sticker on the surface while it is still wet to allow it to attach properly. The wet surface will also allow you to have more time to reposition the stickers if needed and let you eliminate bubbles using a plastic card or squeegee. However, you need to work fast because the soapy water solution usually dries after a few minutes.
Tip #5: Rub Down Firmly
Ensure that the bumper stickers are completely attached to the car’s surface where you want to see it by rubbing it properly. You may use your thumb to rub it from the center then work towards the edges. You only need to be careful to avoid stretching the vinyl too much to prevent ripping it off. If you spot tiny bubbles in the sticker, you do not have to worry about it too much because it may subside after a while.
Putting bumper stickers in your car can help it stand out against the other vehicles on the streets. You only need to ensure that you stick it properly to keep it in place for years to come.