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Here you can see the large graphic taped at both sides, aligned with a tape measure to make sure it is level and centered then
a piece of tape stretched across creating a hinge for the graphic to fold over onto. This keep it where you had it and gives you some stability to stretch the decal onto the surface with. It also lets
the graphic be cut along any seams making it so you can instal a smaller piece, generally making it easier to get on.
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If you are installing text, split it every couple letters if the font allows you to do so. With most of the lettering we do
here, it is an outline and shadow so this doesn't work for that because you would see the cut lines through the vinyl.
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You can see this split every few letters. Once ready to go, remove the liner from the back of the graphic and pull it tight
against the tape hinge you made. Start in the middle of the graphic along your tape and spread it out to one side, come back to the middle and go the other way. Start working away from the tape
overlapping each stroke slightly with your last.
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This picture shows the pieces installed and how they come back as one line of text. You can also see what you are trying to
accomplish when installing over rivets. It shouldn't look finished at this point, but it also should not have huge wrinkles all over the place because of the rivets being there. Once you get the hang of
it, it installs like they are not even there. Lots of tension and cutting the pieces down so they are not tough to work with is the 2 best tips I can give you for this.
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Another tip for installing pieces that can not be cut down is to remove the liner from the back only half way so you can hold
the loose end of the liner against the rest of the decal. This gives large pieces more body and support so you don't accidentally prematurely stick it or get it crooked against the tape hinge. Do not run
a squeegee too close to the fold or it can tear the tape and vinyl.
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This shows the graphic installed out to where my first flap was and now the backing has been further removed but still curling
over behind the graphic keeping it away from the surface and keeping it straight. This script is an example of where you can not split the vinyl for installing with no panel seams to trim them along.
That is next.
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IF You are installing along a panel seam, you can split the graphic along the seam before installing, again giving you the
advantage of breaking the stuff down to install smaller pieces. We get it taped up and press a finger nail firmly in the seam and make a crease. Next press it down firm and drag a razor blade along the
raised edge where the panel seam is.
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Here you see one piece installed and the next ready to pull up and install
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This was tough to photograph, but here it goes. Your vinyl should look something like this, not pretty but not destroyed
looking either.
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Once you have lightly rolled your finger over the rivet it is time to put some heat to it. . This doesn't take much to get it
shrinking and it will shrink till it tears itself apart so be careful and go slow till you get the feel for it. If you see your finger prints being left in the material and your finger is fried, you are
more than likely just right. If it tears, it is too far and if it doesn't stay down more than a day, you did not get it hot enough.
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After it has been heated and pressed down you will probably notice air trapped around the rivet. Poke a small hole at the
bottom of the rivet to release the air. Heat it again and press down.
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Towards the end of the job, you will want to run a finger nail around the rivet and press it in. It should look like the
lettering was painted on when done.
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Picture of rolling air out with the thumb roll.
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Index finger is in under the edge of the rivet, thumb is helping put pressure with index finger.
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Any place vinyl leaves the surface, you will want to cut in and press it down. Picture shows some finished rivets installed.
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picture of a heat gun getting it hot, at this distance it takes about 3 seconds to heat the crease and ready to press down.
This picture also shows how to avoid as many rivets as possible when it is laid out before being installed. Up a little, over a little. Remember, you can not see both sides at the same time.
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