The simplest means of personalizing your boat and making it stand out on the waters is by applying some decals to it. It may be simple, but it is by no means an easy task to complete. It is not, as some may assume, a simple case of peeling the back paper off and sticking the decal to the boat.
By reading the steps presented in this article, you will learn how to apply boat decals effectively and in a way that ensures that they stick for as long as possible.
Required Items
- Decals
- Isopropyl alcohol (70%)
- X-ACTO knife
- Bottle with spray
- Squeegee (this may come provided with your decals)
- Microfiber cloths
- Grease pencil
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Masking tape
- Seal-it pen
- Towel
Cleaning the Boat
The preferred climate for applying decals is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Don’t think that you can just use decals to cover up some dirty marks that can otherwise be cleaned. Your boat needs a thorough scrubbing for the decals to stick properly. When applying decals, the aim is to get the vinyl as straight as possible and to ensure that as few bumps as possible appear. Not only is dirt, salt, and other debris going to make this task a lot harder, it will also encourage bumps to appear.
When cleaning, use hot water and soap. For the soap, it’s a good idea to use only fiberglass-friendly cleaning products so as not to irritate the decal. Most boat cleaners will suffice, but refer to the label and maybe do a bit of research online.
Wash off the soapy water with clean water at least twice, and then wipe the boat dry using a towel.
Next, fill the spray bottle with the isopropyl alcohol, and spray it on the area to which you’re planning to apply the decals. Let it sit for a minute before scrubbing it into the surface to vanquish it of all grease, leaving behind a smooth finish.
Locate the Center
If you end up applying the decal in the wrong place, you’d be very lucky to get a chance to straighten it, as they can be incredibly difficult to remove while keeping intact. To avoid this, refrain from using your judgment, and instead, utilize the tape measure or yardstick to pinpoint the center of the boat and use the grease pencil or the masking tape to mark it out.
Use the measuring tape to determine the length of the decal and apply this length to make two horizontal lines for the top and bottom of the decal.
You could either hold up the decal and see where you’d want it to go relative to the center, or if you’d prefer to fit the decal perfectly in the middle, utilize the transfer paper that came with your decal. Fold this backing paper in half to determine the center of the decal, and then transfer this finding onto the back of the decal itself. From there, you’ll be able to easily match up the center of the decal with the center of the boat.
Applying the Decal
Fit the decal in the desired position neatly in between the two horizontal lines. Stick the top of the decal down using masking tape and leave enough space so that you can peel the back paper out from behind. Make sure the decal is flat.
Once you are happy with the positioning, pull the back paper out from behind the decal, and allow for the sticky side of the decal to gently rest on the boat’s surface. Keep an eye out for any creases so that you can fix them immediately. If any major air bubbles appear that you cannot get rid of using your fingers, gently apply the squeegee to them. That should do the trick.
Finally, once the decal is stuck down and completely flat, peel the transfer paper off. For best results, peel at a 45-degree angle.
Some parts of the paper may stick to the decal after the transfer paper has been removed – do not pick away at this with your finger. Instead, get out your X-Acto knife to cut out these sections and remove them.
Afterward
If you’re happy with how your decal looks and you want it to stick to your boat for as long as possible, use a Seal-it pen and outline the edges of the decal. This will stop it from peeling prematurely.
Although it is difficult to prevent the decal from succumbing to the pressures of water that’ll splash against it, you could leave your boat alone for a couple of days to allow the adhesive to fully set in.
Conclusion
Having read our article, we trust you now won’t treat decals as you would stickers and risk hurting the appearance of your boat. Decals can truly make or break the aesthetic of your boat.
If applied properly, they can tie your boat together and gift it with that personal edge you’ve always dreamed of. If botched, decals can look extremely tacky, so much so that you’ll wish you’d never attempted to stick one on. Avoid that at all costs!
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