Prepping paint under new FX2 decals
01-11-2014, 03:39 PM
#1
Prepping paint under new FX2 decals
I will be removing the stock FX2 decals and replacing them with new ones.
Is there anything I need to do to prep the paint? The instructions mentioned using Windex to position the decal. Should I remove the old and then use some polish on the area? Wax? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I don't want to ruin the paint underneath the decal.
Thanks in advance.
Is there anything I need to do to prep the paint? The instructions mentioned using Windex to position the decal. Should I remove the old and then use some polish on the area? Wax? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I don't want to ruin the paint underneath the decal.
Thanks in advance.
01-11-2014, 03:52 PM
#2
Senior Member
After you remove the old decal, clean the area 3 or 4 times with alcohol and wipe clean with a cotton or microfiber towel. I wouldn't recommend positioning the new decal with windex because of the ammonia in windex. I've put on several decals and I use a small spray bottle containing water and 2 or 3 drops of Dawn dish soap to position the new decal. Once the decal is in place, use a credit card to remove the water and air bubbles.
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026TB4U (01-12-2014)
01-11-2014, 05:40 PM
#3
After you remove the old decal, clean the area 3 or 4 times with alcohol and wipe clean with a cotton or microfiber towel. I wouldn't recommend positioning the new decal with windex because of the ammonia in windex. I've put on several decals and I use a small spray bottle containing water and 2 or 3 drops of Dawn dish soap to position the new decal. Once the decal is in place, use a credit card to remove the water and air bubbles.
I would also suggest putting a line of tape right around the original decal before you remove it. I actually did the top and right side of the orignal decal. No need to go all the way around. This will help so much in lining up the new one!!
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026TB4U (01-12-2014)
01-12-2014, 12:24 PM
#5
If it were my truck, and I was doing so, these would be my steps:
1) Remove decal. Via fingers, heat gun (if even necessary), and 3M adhesive remover.
2) Polish area with a D/A polisher & polish of choice, to correct paint in that area.
3) Spray area with water/alcohol mix, to make sure paint is "naked" for new decal application.
4) Use a soapy water mixture to position apply new decal.
5) After new decal has cured and dried, apply fresh coat of protection to area (as any polishing and/or adhesive remover will have stripped all previous paint protection).
These are the steps we take in our detail shop (shorthand version), and we do this fairly frequently. The GOAL, should be to do this process, while keeping the paint swirl-free & without damaging, and keeping the protection strong. Basically make it look like nothing ever happened, lol.
1) Remove decal. Via fingers, heat gun (if even necessary), and 3M adhesive remover.
2) Polish area with a D/A polisher & polish of choice, to correct paint in that area.
3) Spray area with water/alcohol mix, to make sure paint is "naked" for new decal application.
4) Use a soapy water mixture to position apply new decal.
5) After new decal has cured and dried, apply fresh coat of protection to area (as any polishing and/or adhesive remover will have stripped all previous paint protection).
These are the steps we take in our detail shop (shorthand version), and we do this fairly frequently. The GOAL, should be to do this process, while keeping the paint swirl-free & without damaging, and keeping the protection strong. Basically make it look like nothing ever happened, lol.
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026TB4U (01-12-2014)
01-12-2014, 12:44 PM
#6
If it were my truck, and I was doing so, these would be my steps:
1) Remove decal. Via fingers, heat gun (if even necessary), and 3M adhesive remover.
2) Polish area with a D/A polisher & polish of choice, to correct paint in that area.
3) Spray area with water/alcohol mix, to make sure paint is "naked" for new decal application.
4) Use a soapy water mixture to position apply new decal.
5) After new decal has cured and dried, apply fresh coat of protection to area (as any polishing and/or adhesive remover will have stripped all previous paint protection).
These are the steps we take in our detail shop (shorthand version), and we do this fairly frequently. The GOAL, should be to do this process, while keeping the paint swirl-free & without damaging, and keeping the protection strong. Basically make it look like nothing ever happened, lol.
1) Remove decal. Via fingers, heat gun (if even necessary), and 3M adhesive remover.
2) Polish area with a D/A polisher & polish of choice, to correct paint in that area.
3) Spray area with water/alcohol mix, to make sure paint is "naked" for new decal application.
4) Use a soapy water mixture to position apply new decal.
5) After new decal has cured and dried, apply fresh coat of protection to area (as any polishing and/or adhesive remover will have stripped all previous paint protection).
These are the steps we take in our detail shop (shorthand version), and we do this fairly frequently. The GOAL, should be to do this process, while keeping the paint swirl-free & without damaging, and keeping the protection strong. Basically make it look like nothing ever happened, lol.
I do this^ pretty much to the T. Only difference is, I have never used soapy water to apply the decal. I use the water/ alcohol mix.
Last edited by 21RRF150; 01-12-2014 at 12:52 PM.
The following 2 users liked this post by 21RRF150:
026TB4U (01-12-2014),
InsanePaint (01-12-2014)
01-12-2014, 01:19 PM
#7
If it were my truck, and I was doing so, these would be my steps:
1) Remove decal. Via fingers, heat gun (if even necessary), and 3M adhesive remover.
2) Polish area with a D/A polisher & polish of choice, to correct paint in that area.
3) Spray area with water/alcohol mix, to make sure paint is "naked" for new decal application.
4) Use a soapy water mixture to position apply new decal.
5) After new decal has cured and dried, apply fresh coat of protection to area (as any polishing and/or adhesive remover will have stripped all previous paint protection).
These are the steps we take in our detail shop (shorthand version), and we do this fairly frequently. The GOAL, should be to do this process, while keeping the paint swirl-free & without damaging, and keeping the protection strong. Basically make it look like nothing ever happened, lol.
1) Remove decal. Via fingers, heat gun (if even necessary), and 3M adhesive remover.
2) Polish area with a D/A polisher & polish of choice, to correct paint in that area.
3) Spray area with water/alcohol mix, to make sure paint is "naked" for new decal application.
4) Use a soapy water mixture to position apply new decal.
5) After new decal has cured and dried, apply fresh coat of protection to area (as any polishing and/or adhesive remover will have stripped all previous paint protection).
These are the steps we take in our detail shop (shorthand version), and we do this fairly frequently. The GOAL, should be to do this process, while keeping the paint swirl-free & without damaging, and keeping the protection strong. Basically make it look like nothing ever happened, lol.
I knew I needed polish, just wasn't sure when.
I'll follow these steps.
Again, thanks to everyone for the feedback.
