Want to know
all there is about
decorating with decals?
Well this section is for you!
Learn tricks that designers and other industry professionals use to make each project its best. From application tricks, to news ways to use decals, this section is chocked full of stuff to learn.
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Tools of the TradeWhen you place an order for Wall Slicks, you receive two (2) different types of squeegee in your order. But we also offer other tools to aid in your application, that you can purchase here.
Here is a list of the various types of applicators/ tools available to make your project perfect:
The Chizzler - (comes with your order) the most versatile squeegee tool out there. Stiff, polypropelene rounded squeegee can be used for applying, scraping off decals, lifting edges of your decal, andeven its flat edges enable it to be used as a blade for trimming
Poly Squeegee - (comes with your order) slightly malleable square squeegee that is the standard for wall decal applications. Will not damage walls and has medium adherence properties for regular applications.
Teflon Squeegee - hard, square squeegee that will last a long time through many application uses. Made
of hard material for achieving very good adherence of your
decals.Use this squeegee when your decal needs firm application to your surface.
Nylon Squeegee - The Superman of squeegees, this squeegee will last a long time through many application uses. Made of the hardest material, allows for achieving great adherence of your decals.Use this squeegee when your decal needs the firmest application to your surface.
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Applying Decals to Glass, Metal and other hard, smooth, non-porous surfaces - "The Wet MethodThere are a few ways you can increase success at applying decals to hard, non-porous surfaces.
Porous Surfaces: As you know, most wall surfaces, or even furniture are porous surfaces, meaning they have microscopic holes in them. This makes these surfaces much less hard and dense than materials like metal or glass. This also allows for application and removal of vinyl decals, or any stickers, to be removed easily.
Non-Porous Surfaces: But non-porous surfaces are much denser and are there are no microscopic holes in it. This makes the bond between decal and surface much stronger. This is why even though the adhesive is completely removable, once you put a decal on a non-porous surface:
- it has a water-proof bond with the surface and
- it will not come off until you are ready for it to come off
Due to this super bond between decal and surface, that while applying the decal, it is common for any little air bubble to get trapped under the decal. Here are three ways to prevent bubbles:
- Pretty Good: use a large, high quality applicator. We recommend a nylon of teflon applicator. This will provide a much stiffer tool to squeegee out any air. Also while applying the decal, stick one small part down to your surface first. Then, tug the decal so that it is very taught. Then use your applicator to firmly slide the decal down.
- Better: Use the “Wet Method” of applying decals to metal or glass. First, wet the surface on which you will apply the decal. You can use a damp sponge. Then remove the decal backing and stick the decal on the surface. You will notice that you can slide the decal around on the surface a little bit. This is so that when you squeegee the decal down, the air bubbles can be pushed right out from under the decal. Now the only step left is to remove the clear top sheet. But now since the decal adhesive is wet, it will not be firmly in place until the water dries. So when you try to remove the top sheet, the decal might want to come up too. Solution: wait till the water evaporates to remove the top sheet! Then the decal will be firmly in place and it will be easy to remove the top sheet.
- Best: With decals that do not have a clear top sheet on them (our simpler styles) the Wet Method works great. Since there is no top sheet to remove, the reduced temporary stickiness that the water causes is no problem. When you remove the backing and wet either the decal back or the surface, simply place the decal on the surface, and squeegee any air out. Then the water will dry and your decal will be firmly in place, as if you never used any water at all
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How to Extend the Life of Your DecalsThe success of any project depends on a little bit of planning. This is the same with any décor project, even wall sticker application. Our product save you so much time already, don’t skip what’s important. If you take the appropriate steps at the beginning, then you can enjoy your decals for years without worry.
Color Swatch Card Request:
As you should all know, we offer all of our products in 40 different colors! And although you can view a representation of the colors we offer on this site, you cannot be sure that your computer monitor is rendering the color correctly. So to provide you a means to see all of the colors first hand, we offer a Color Swatch Card for you to order, so that you can order the color correctly the first time. The Color Swatch Card contains all 40 colors in their actual material, so you can see what it look s and feels like. Also, the card material is clear so that you can put the swatch up to your wall for matching purposes! Order now!
Test Your Surface with a Sample Decal
The Color Swatch Card also comes with a sample decal for you to try out on a select surface of your home. This ensures that a sticker will be compatible with your particular wall surface, because although our decals adhere to even bumpy wall surfaces, there is always the rare wall that is too pitted.
Prep is Paramount:
It is your responsibility to make sure that they are free from residue left from oils, shower steam, dust and dirt. If your wall or other surface is not clean and dry, wall decals may not stick well to them. Because oils, dirt, and dust will stick to the decal, causing a barrier between the wall and the decal.
Here are steps you can take to ensure your surfaces are clean:
--Wipe surface down with a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will dissolve any dirt that might be there, but will not harm the surface.
Do Not Touch the Sticky Side:
As humans, we have naturals oils in our skin that is left behind on the things we touch. This is the case with the adhesive side of the decals. The oils will stick to the adhesive and then prevent the adhesive from sticking to the wall.
When to Paint and When to Wait:
So how long should you wait after you paint to put your decals up? That is a great question and we get it all of the time. After you paint any surface, there is a period of time that the paint needs to be left alone in order for it to “cure”. Although the paint may feel dry to the touch, under average weather conditions, it will not be hardened or cured for 24 – 48 hours. In cool weather (below 60 degrees F) it may take longer to cure (up to 72 hours.) This is the amount of time that you should wait after you paint to put your decals up. Otherwise, if the curing process is not done, and you apply a decal, the paint will continue to cure and may cure to the decal, which could cause paint removal when the decal is removed
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When to use Your Applicator Tool, aka "Squeegee"When to use your Applicator Tool for best results
Your application tool is a very important part of the application process. It should be used 3 different times during application.
1- First thing before starting the application process: Squeegee the clear top sheet down, before removing backing.
2- Once backing is removed and decal is placed on the wall, squeegee the decal for a firm adherence
3- After you remove clear top sheet, gently squeegee decal down to wall
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Different Ways to use Your Squeegee
The Chizzler application tool is the little rounded one that comes with your order. But little did you know, that this little wonder, has many uses. It does more than squeegee.
As a Knife - If you have excess decal that you need to trim: Simply use the sharp edge of the Chizzler, and run it along the decal, like you would a knife, but much safer on you and your walls. But beware: it is still a bit sharp and can make a crease in your surface. Best to slip a piece of cardboard underneath before you cut. Works great in corners, and edges, where you need a crisp edge for your decal to stop at but is hard to get into with a pair of scissors.
To remove a decal – The Chizzler is so thin, that you can slip it under the edge of a decal, to work it up and remove it
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History of Vinyl OutputThe process we use to make our decals is a tried and true process that has been around for decades, though new for making interior decor decals, and is similar to the process and materials used in the sign making industry.
But while sign making is moving more and more into digital output processes, the wall decal industry is taking over the vinyl use industry.
Modern Wall Graphics has been a pioneer in this field and strives to continue to provide consumers more opportunity to express themselves in vinyl than anyone in the industry.
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