ADVICE ON APPLYING STICKERS TO CARS

When applying stickers, including number panels to your car, there is an accepted procedure to follow which best looks after your car's paintwork and ensures that the stickers remain adhered to your car.

Ensure that the surface is clean of any grit or dirt.  Using a good quality car wax, wax the area where the sticker will be applied with a liberal coating of wax - ideally with a sponge material.  Make sure you are using a wax, not a cleaner, polishing or cutting compound.  Do not buff the wax off as you normally would when polishing your car.

Using a spray bottle, spray a fine mist of soapy water over the area.  You can then apply the sticker.  The soapy water will allow the sticker to slide around and be moved or removed if necessary.  If you decide to remove and reapply the sticker, re-spray the soapy water first, before putting the sticker back.

If the sticker needs to go over an area where a car has a moulding, it is suggested to cut the sticker, rather than go over the moulding. Small gaps at the sides where a sticker goes over a mouding can leave small gaps which let air in - which at speed may lead to the sticker coming off.  If the sticker goes over a concave groove or similar, ensure that it sticks fully into the groove.

Once you're happy with the location of the sticker, gently squeeze out the water, ideally with a squeegee (like a window cleaning blade).  Do this from the centre, moving outwards.

Allow the remaining moisture behind the sticker to dry properly before driving the car - ie; don't leave this until the day you need to compete in the car.

When removing the sticker after the event, it is best to do so in a warm environment so that the sticker is as flexible as possible.  After removing the sticker, there will be a wax residue which you will be able to buff away (using a terry towel or similar). It may be necessary to re-wax the entire panel to ensure an even finish.

NOTE: Cars with very old or brittle paint, or which show signs of flaking or peeling paint may be likely to have paint removed when taking stickers off, though the above procedure will minimize this risk.

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