VW Camper Van Decals

If you have a vw camper van that you would like to personalise, one of the best options available to you are camper van decals.  Decals are basically waterproof stickers that can be custom designed to reflect who you are or in the case of businesses, who your company is.  If you are considering camper van decals you may have a few questions in mind.  We will try and answer some of them here for you.

Will Camper Van Decals Ruin My Paintwork?

Camper van decals are made from adhesive vinyl and will not damage your paintwork. However, it is important that when applying decals that the area you are going to apply to is clean and wax/grease free as dirt or grit trapped under the decal could otherwise damage your paintwork if not removed first.

How do I Install a Camper Van Decal?

Installing decals onto your camper van is simple.  First clean your camper van and measure the area where you will be placing your decal.

Decal Application Instructions

Generally, decals come in three parts:

1. The Carrier Film (top layer)

2. The Decal (Middle Layer)

3. The Backing Sheet (Bottom Layer)

Preparation

a.      Vinyl material has a sort of ‘memory’ so If your decal arrives in a roll, you should unroll it and lay it flat for a while before applying to your vehicle, this way it will handle better.

b.      Avoid applying in windy weather.

c.      Clean the surface you are applying the decals to ensure it is clean, dry and free of any dust or residue (use soap, water and a lint-free cloth).

d.      Ideally, the surface temperature and air temperature should not be below 10°C. It may help if you use a hairdryer to warm up the surface temperature.

e.      After your surface is clean, offer the decals to check that it fits in place. If necessary,      remove any excess carrier film and backing sheet. Make guidelines with masking tape or a non-permanent marker if you wish.

Application

a.      With a large design, soap and water can be sprayed onto the surface to help manoeuvre the sticker into place.

b.      Carefully remove the backing sheet from the decal, Making sure that no part of the decal remains on the backing sheet.

c.      Holding the decal/carrier film, position one edge of the decal onto the prepared surface in the correct location.

d.      Slowly offer the decal onto the surface, rubbing it down with the edge of your hand/squeegee as you go.

e.      Using a credit card or squeegee, rub down (from the middle to the outer edges) until fully        applied, expelling any air or moisture bubbles as you go.

f.       Slowly remove carrier film, ensuring that the decal does not lift with it. We recommend that you leave the carrier film on for 10-20 minutes before removing; this will ensure that the decal will adhere to the surface fully.

g.      Any air/moisture bubbles will usually disappear after a few weeks. If not, you can use a pin to puncture the vinyl and squeeze the air/moisture by pushing down with your thumb or squeegee.

Can I Still Wash My Camper Van?

Of course you can.  Camper van decals are completely waterproof and will not ruin when covered by water. However you should not scrub the decals when washing your camper van as this could damage them, instead use a sponge.

How Do I Know What Size I Need?

If you know what model your camper van is you can order the size of decals to fit your camper van.  Most  decals can be ordered exactly to your specifications so there is no need to choose a standard size if you want something a little different.  All reputable decal supply companies will work with you to provide decals that match your vehicle exactly.

Is it Easy to Remove Camper Van Decals?

If you have decided your camper van needs a change or if you are selling it and need to remove the decals, don’t worry.  The easiest way to remove camper van decals is with focussed heat from a heat gun or even a hair dryer.  The heat will work to loosen the adhesive so all you will need to do is pull it up slowly.  If the decals are applied on the camper van windows, a squeegee or a razor blade can help you to remove it without damaging the vehicle.