CARBON FIBER WaterSlide Decals

 

Best to install a full wrap in several pieces as needed, such as hood, bumpers, roof, and entire sides. However you seem fit for easiest install.

1) Apply masking tape to area you intend to wrap

2) Use pen/marker to outline edges of panel (example: hood lines)

3) Remove masking tape

4) Place masking tape with template onto decal pattern.

5) Cut around your template with scissors

6) Remove masking tape from cut piece

7) Float piece of decal wrap on water with print facing up for 10-20 seconds

-don't worry the print will not be affected by water, even if left it in water for a long time

-pro tip: warmer water helps make the decal film easier to wrap around, similar to micro sol

8) Wet area where you will install with water or micro set (which helps the decal stick even better)

9) Transfer decal onto car

10) Use a soft brush to push out the bubbles and flatten wrap

11) If needed, you can use micro sol to make the decal more flexible, to wrap around complex surfaces or to wrap around car edges

-use micro sol with caution, it will make the decal much more delicate and prone to ripping the longer decal has been wet with micro sol

12) Allow decal to dry at least 24 hours before clear coating to avoid potential issues

-No need to clear coat but it's a good idea to protect wrap

 

-If you want to clear coat, I recommend you:

1. Wait at least 24 hours for decal to fully dry

2. Decontaminate surface from finger oils by dipping car into clean soapy dish soap water

-you can lightly rub soapy finger along car for a better clean

-if you skip this step, there is a chance the clear coat may react with oils on surface and cause weird problems, especially if you handle the decals/car with oily fingers.

-Always use degreaser dish soap to clean hands before handling decals to avoid contaminating surfaces you will paint

3. Rinse gently with slow flowing ~75F tap water

4. Dry

-do not use a towel or napkin as you'll likely leave behind specks

-you can use a fan, heater, hair dryer, dehydrator, airbrush to speed up drying but using heat is risky as decals may form bubbles if there is air/moisture under decal or edges were not adhered properly due to user error

5. Clear coat

-for mirror finish, use 2K gloss clear coat

-allow clear coat to dry naturally

-do not use dehydrator / heater as it can cause decals to bubble if any amount of air was trapped under decals, even if decals were full dried.

 

Note: Micro set and Micro Sol is a liquid solution to help apply waterslide decals. While they aren't always needed, they are very helpful and I highly recommend them for full wrap coverage, especially where wrapping around car is needed or if there are complex surfaces like complex hood vents. They can be purchased online for about $10 for both bottles and they will last a long time as only a small amount is needed for application, just don't accidentally spill them!

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