At The Loyal Brand, we receive many questions about decal installation, specifically about the differences between the wet and dry installation methods. We understand that this can be a bit confusing, which is why we’ve written this blog post to break down the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Wet Decal Installation Method: The wet installation method involves making a soap solution using a mixture of dish soap and water to get both the application surface and the adhesive side of the decal wet before applying the decal. The soap gives the solution a bit of viscosity to allow the installer to slide the decal around and position it perfectly on the intended target. The decal will not stick to itself when wet, making it easier to handle during the installation. Any bubbles that are trapped under the decal can easily be pushed out before the decal dries. Because our vinyl adhesive is solvent-based, the soap solution will not affect the decal's ability to adhere to the surface once the solution has fully dried.
Advantages of Wet Installation:
- Allows for perfect decal placement and minimizes the chances of messing up the installation
- Decal can be moved around or removed and reapplied as needed
- Decal will not stick to itself when wet, making it easier to handle during installation
- Bubbles that are trapped under the decal can easily be pushed out before the decal dries
Disadvantages of Wet Installation:
- Takes longer to install the decals and the decals must dry before they are fully adhered to the application surface
- Depending on the temperature and humidity, drying can take up to several hours
Dry Decal Installation Method: The dry installation method utilizes transfer tape to transfer the decal from the backing paper to the application surface, where the decal is simply applied like a sticker. After the decal is applied, the transfer tape is removed to reveal the decal.
Advantages of Dry Installation:
- Quick and easy way to install decals
- Good for flat or slightly curved surfaces
- Works well for smaller emblem inlay/overlay decals and complex/multi-part decals
Disadvantages of Dry Installation:
- Only one chance to apply the decal perfectly
- Cannot be removed without destroying it
- Greater chance of trapping bubbles under the decal
- Cannot be used on domed surfaces or recessed/embossed surfaces
At The Loyal Brand, we evaluate both installation methods on all of our decals to determine and recommend the best method for our customers to use. We recommend the wet method for the larger, simple designs and any application where the application surface is recessed or embossed. We also recommend the wet method for logo decals where the logo is domed, such as the Toyota emblem. We recommend the dry method for many of our smaller emblem inlay/overlay decals and complex/multi-part decals. Transfer tape is required for multi-part decals to hold all the parts of the decal together during the transfer from the backing paper to the application surface.
We understand that decal installation can be intimidating, but with our recommended methods and instructions, it can be a simple and stress-free process. It's important to note that our recommendations are just that, recommendations. Our customers are free to install their decals using any method they wish.
Positive Customer Experience:
One of our customers, Sarah, recently purchased our Toyota emblem decal set and was hesitant about the installation process. However, after following our recommended wet installation method and using the soap solution, Sarah found that the installation was easy and the emblem looked perfect on her car. She was thrilled with the result and left us a glowing review.
In conclusion, choosing the right decal installation method can make a big difference in the final result of your decal. At The Loyal Brand, we recommend the wet method for larger, simple designs and logo decals where the logo is domed, and the dry method for smaller emblem inlay/overlay decals and complex/multi-part decals. Our detailed instructions and recommended methods make the installation process easy and stress-free for our customers. Contact our support team if you have any further questions about decal installation.
If you have any questions or need further assistance with decal installation, please don't hesitate to contact our support team at The Loyal Brand. And for more information on the wet and dry installation methods, be sure to check out our blog post "Wet vs Dry Decal Installation: Advantages and Disadvantages."
Thanks for choosing The Loyal Brand for your decal needs!