Please read over our basic installation section. This area builds on what you have learned there. Please don't be discouraged. Installing your vinyl graphics is an easy process. It is not as complex as it is perceived here. We have gone into way more detail then you will need. If you are informed and have a good understanding of the process you will not have a problem. Our series on installing our Large Flame Graphics and numbers set was done by my 13 year old son. This was the first time he had ever done something this large.

• Flames:

• Flames are not hard to install. There are a few things to remember
• When removing the masking tape start at the front of the flame and work backwards
• If you are installing pinstriped flames they will sometimes lift with the tape. Push them down with your finger as you remove the tape. Do not get the surface too wet when installing pinstripe flames. Be sure to wet the surface of the masking tape before removing it.

• Applying on curves:

• Try to avoid complex curved surfaces.
• A complex curved surface is a surface like a ball. It is very hard to get the graphic to lay in every direction.
• Simple curves like the side of a soda can are not a problem.
  • Just remember to make your hinge on the flat area not on the curved section.
• Installing graphics on a helmet is one of the hardest things to do because of the shape.
  • If you are installing graphics on your helmet or a complex curved surface here are some tips.
    • Make your hinge in the center of the graphic from top to bottom. When removing the backing remove the right side first, and cut the backing off with a pair of scissors. Lay the right side down first. The vinyl will stretch, and it will need to be stretched a bit to get it to lay flat.
    • If you have the surface too wet it will be harder to get the stretched graphic to adhere to the surface. It is sometimes better to apply these type of graphics dry.
    • Folds in the graphics can be worked out after the masking tape is removed by pushing them down with your finger.
    • Do not squeegee the fold together. You will never get it back apart if you do

• Applying Large graphics and words:

• To make installing large graphics made of multiple parts easier cut them apart after the hinge is installed.

• Rivets:

• Vinyl may be installed over rivets. These are mostly found on karts where the 2 sides are attached to the front of the kart.

  • When installing over rivets stretch the vinyl over the rivet and continue to lay it over the surrounding area.
  • The vinyl can be worked around the rivet after the masking tape is removed. The best way to accomplish this is with a rivet brush made for the task. You can make one from a paint brush by cutting the bristles, so you only have 1/2 inch of the brush bristles left. A 2 inch paint brush works good for this.
  • The basic procedure is to work the vinyl up to the rivet allowing the air/water to bubble over the rivet. You can then prick the surface and work the air/water out with your brush and or fingers. This process might need to be repeated a few times to get it just rite.
  • If you have lots of water around the rivet you might need to wait a while for the water to dry out from under the rivet before the vinyl will stick to it. Just keep working it and it will evenly stick. Use your brush to conform the vinyl around the edges of the rivet.

   

• Wrinkles:

• Sometime you will get wrinkles in your vinyl.
• They are a little harder to fix then bubbles. But with care you get remove them.
• Wrinkles occur mostly on complex curved surfaces.
• Do not squeegee wrinkles flat. They are best worked out with your finger starting at the end and pushing down and out to the edge of the graphic.
• If a wrinkle is severe, you might have to slit it with a razor blade and allow it to over lap.

• Bubbles:

• We all get bubbles under our graphics when installing them. Here are some tips to help avoid them. And how to get rid of them once you have them.
• Work with the smallest pieces you can.
  • After you have your hinge on cut the graphic apart for each word, or for very large words, cut each letter apart.
• Have a plan before you start.
  • Plan how to lay the graphic down on the surface and how you are going to squeegee the water out before you start.
• Squeegee to the edges of each letter or large graphic.
• If you have lots of small bubbles work the bubbles into one larger one.
  • Then prick it with a stick pin, and work the air/water out with your finger.
• Small bubbles will go away with time.
  • The vinyl will let the water/air through its surface, as it warms and cools. Setting your kart in the sun is the easiest way to make this happen.
• Bubbles show up after the graphic is installed
  • This is from gasses escaping from the surface of the body. This easily happens on newly painted surfaces. They might go away with time, but the best way is to wait at least 1 week after painting your body before installing graphics

• When things go wrong:

• Sometime things go wrong when you are installing your graphics. Most mistakes are easy fixed.
  • If you get creases when installing your graphics, you can lift the graphic back up from the surface if the surface was wetted first. Take your time and work slowly.
  • If the graphic lifts when you try to remove the masking tape, hold the graphic to the surface with your fingers. Be careful not to stretch the graphic. Wetting the masking tape, and letting it soak before removing helps to keep the graphic from lifting from the surface.
  • If the graphic is not sticking to the surface.
    • Cover it with the backing shinny side up and go over it again with the squeegee. The adhesive is pressure sensitive, and is activated by the pressure of the squeegee.
    • If you have lots of water under the graphic squeegee as much as you can out. Leave it sit overnight in a warm dry place, to give the water under the vinyl a chance to evaporate. Squeegee again using the backing shinny side up to protect the vinyl and all should be well.