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RTSPECIALTIES - Vinyl boat lettering - Installation instructions

Follow these four steps to install your boat name on flat surface

Unroll the vinyl boat name and leave it on a flat surface, to recover its flatness. Then, squeegee gentle along the lettering to confirm its adhesion to the transfer paper, so when you remove the backing paper the letters will separate easily from it.

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A - Placing the lettering on the boat. Clean the surface with mineral spirits or boat surface cleaner, removing all traces of dust, salt or grease.

Then clean with a rag with water, and dry the surface. Apply   masking tape in several places and lift them. If the masking tape sticks strong, the surface is ready to apply the vinyl sign.

  Take measurements to assure that the sign is in the correct position . Fix  the sign with masking tape, as illustrated.

 

   B - Flip up the sign and remove the back paper, taking care you don't leave any letter on the back paper. Spray the boat's surface with water (One quart bottle) with one or 2 drops of Ivory liquid soap. (do not use detergents. They have strong chemicals that reduce the efficiency of the gum).

The purpose of the wet installation method is to minimize the action of the gum  while it is wet, so if you make a mistake you can lift the vinyl to reposition it. Professional installers use the dry method, but it requires great expertise.

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C- Flip down the transfer paper with the lettering, over the wet surface and press with a squeegee, in a center to side motion to remove water and bubbles. D- Allow 30 to 60 minutes to dry. (or less, depending on the weather). Then, remove the transfer paper. Punch the big bubbles with a needle. Do not use  knifes or blades. (The small bubbles disappear by themselves in few weeks). That's it.

Follow these steps for application of large signs, or on curved surfaces.
Note. If using the wet method, avoid to wet the backing paper, specially near to the vertical center masking tape. If you do so the backing paper  will adhere to the adhesive of the letters. It is very difficult to remove it without spoiling  the letters. Better wait until dry to remove it.

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Vinyl products are guaranteed from the factory to have an existence of five to seven years. This existence depends in great part in the correct placement on a surface completely clean of dust and grease, or marine salt, to assure a complete adhesion of the material to that surface.

If you think that installation is difficult for you, there are people in any boatyard with professional knowledge to place vinyl signs. Use them.