F.A.Q. - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I get both sides of the graphic?
Yes. The left and right sides are included with each kit.

Are the kits easy to install?
Yes. These kits have been designed to be installed by one person in about 20 to 30 minutes. You can view the step-by-step instructions by clicking on the How-To link.

What tools will I need?
A stiff plastic squeegee and a sharp razor knife. You may wish to make a wetting solution–one drop of dish soap to one quart of water–so you can lift the kit back up during installation to remove large air bubbles or just to make adjustments as needed. Use a clean spray bottle but don't use too much soap, one drop per quart is plenty. Some pro installers like to install kits dry since there is no drying time before you can remove the premask, and they have the experience needed to avoid air bubbles and placement problems. It is recommended that you do a wet installation on kits 40" and larger. The smaller 'mini' kits should be installed dry.

Will the graphics damage the paint job?
No, it does not. In fact, we have several customers who change their kits often for a new look. We also have some customers who like one design so much that they have the same style kit installed on their next new vehicle.

Are they permanent?
The graphic kits can easily be removed within the first year, but after that you may need to heat them up with a blow dryer (not a heat gun) to make it easier to remove them. The graphics are considered permanent since they are manufactured and tested to last for years in harsh elements but can be removed at any time.

Can I move the kit to a different position after I install it?
Kits can be removed at any time with a little effort, but they can not be re-used once they are removed. In other words, get it right the first time or be prepared to buy another kit. That's why the instructions suggest that you do a "dry fit" first. Place the entire unopened kit on the vehicle with some masking tape, and move it around until you are happy with the position. Then make reference points for the corners of the kit with masking tape on the car. When you remove the kit and begin the installation, you can place the kit back on your corner marks to make sure it's exactly where you want it.

Can I cut the kit into smaller sections and re-arrange them on the vehicle?
Yes. Some graphic kits have been specifically designed in several pieces, even though it ships as a two-piece graphic kit with a left and a right side. Each side of the kit is designed to look good when installed as a one-piece graphic, but you have the added option of re-arranging the pieces to change the look of the kit. Each side might have several smaller pieces that can be carefully cut away from the main kit and installed separately, allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind design to fit the vehicle. The Inferno, a flame kit, has 3 pieces per side–it looks good as a long one piece kit or it can be stacked top to bottom for a taller front-end flame effect for hoods. It's most commonly used for front wheelwell flames. Other graphics that can be sectioned and re-arranged are the Hydro, Shattered, Splash, Thistle, and Sport which has a "Sport" text tag that can be moved anywhere. You can see more examples of the multi-piece kits on the Workshop pages.

Can I install more than one kit?
If you want to cover a larger area, try one of the larger kits shown in the catalog. Sometimes two or more kits can be used on large trucks or conversion vans, but the most common graphics that are applied two or three times are flame kits. The front end of a vehicle can be covered for a full custom flame job. Other kits that can be doubled up are Shredder which is made of seperate sections that can be re-arranged as a larger group, and the Hydro for a heavy splash effect. View the Workshop for more ideas. Your designs are only limited by your imagination.

Can I have a professional install it for me?
Yes. There are literally thousands of professional graphics installers located throughout the United States. Just fill out the e-mail form for information on the pro-installers in your area. If you are a professional installer, use the same e-mail form and we will add your company information to our installer/customer-referral database. If you live in a different country, try contacting local sign shops, window tint or custom auto shops to find an installer in your area.

Can I get my own custom design made?
Yes. Call us and we'll help you, depending on what you want.

How can I avoid pulling the kit back up when I remove the Pre-Mask?
The pre-mask is a clear layer on top of the kit which allows the kit to retain its shape when you place it on a vehicle. You squeegee the kit right through the pre-mask layer and remove it when the kit is completely squeegeed onto the vehicle. If you are doing a wet installation, wait at least 15 minutes before removing the pre-mask layer. When you remove the pre-mask, pull evenly and slowly, and pull back at a sharp angle to avoid lifting the kit.

How do I remove small bubbles in the finished Kit?
The best way to avoid bubbles in a kit is to take your time and make sure you have a clean surface. Squeeqee the kit SLOWLY and press FIRMLY from front to back, working from the center to the outside and doing small sections of the kit at a time. Even then, you may get some small bubbles which can be removed later by using a pin or sharp blade to cut the edge of the bubble and work the air or water out through the opening. Some small bubbles may dissapear as the kit dries. Kits can be installed wet or dry, but it is safer to install a kit wet. It can be pulled up from the back during installation in case you get a fold or large bubble. A dry kit may have less bubbles at first, but it's a one way street, and there's no turning back. Once it's on, IT'S ON! As you get more practice and confidence installing kits, you will find it's faster to do dry installations. Most pro-installers prefer to install them dry as there is no drying time before removing the premask.

What's the best way to install a kit?
View the step-by-step How-To page to see how to install a graphic kit by yourself. You can do this yourself if you take your time, but it helps to have another person standing at the back of the vehicle to hold the back of the kit and keep it away from the vehicle. Start by peeling off a foot or two of the backing, beginning at the front. Spray the exposed kit and the car and then tack down the front of the kit onto the vehicle. Press down the first inch or so of the kit and proceed to remove the rest of the backing, exposing the kit and it's adhesive. The front of the kit should stay put as you hold the back of the kit away from the vehicle to avoid unwanted placement. It is important to keep the kit taught, or lightly pulled, to keep the kit from bunching up. Have you ever had a piece of tape come back on itself? It's almost impossible to pull it apart, and more than likely you will just get a new piece of tape instead of trying to salvage the old one. Well, that can happen with a kit too, so when you begin the installation, keep it slightly taught at all times. Another good tip: hold down the front of the kit with some masking tape in case your helper gets carried away with the taughtness and starts to slide the kit towards the back of the vehicle. Once you completely remove the backing, spray the entire kit and the car, then start to squeegee from the front to the back as your helper keeps the back end of the kit about 6 inches away from the vehicle. If you are by yourself, just lightly place the back of the kit down and tack the corners in place. As you squeegee the kit, you might start to bunch up the kit. You should be able to lift (snap) it up again, and re-tension it as needed. Wait 15 minutes and remove the pre-mask by pulling back at a sharp angle to avoid lifting the kit. Finally, use a sharp razor knife or blade to lightly cut the door openings. Do this carefully so as not to cut into the paint finish. It is best to trim the graphic back 1/8 of an inch from all edges. In other words, don't cut in the center of the opening and fold the kit behind the door or into the door jamb. Instead, make 2 cuts, 1/8-inch in from each edge. That will give the kit a better grip on the vehicle and avoid lifting the edge from dirt, moisture, cleaning, and waxing. Check out the step-by-step How-To page to familiarize yourself with simple steps to installing a graphics kit on your vehicle.



Still have your own questions? e-mail us at autotrim@autotrimexpress.com