Additional Info for our Customers - On a Variety of Subjects of Interest
Rear Window Graphics: Basic Installation Instructions and Helpful Tips
ClearVue Graphics, the manufacturer of our Rear Window Graphics, encloses installation instructions with every design. Here are the basic instructions, plus a few tips that may speed things along.
The good news is: Installing your rear window graphic is a fairly simple process that does not require an engineering degree!:- )
Most folksmention that the process is straight-forward and it just requires some patience and attention to detail. The graphic will look better and last longer, with a little extra care at the beginning.
Let’s look at the “big picture” now:Gather your tools, make sure the weather cooperates with temperatures between 60 – 90 degrees (Fahrenheit), clean and dry the surface, position your graphic with masking tape, apply the image, trim and admire your handiwork!(ClearVue’s directions will provide more info).
First, you may be surprised that your graphic appears to be faded as it comes out of the box. After the graphic is installed, it will reach its full color beauty. Proper installation of your graphic is critical for the best appearance and long life of your rear window graphic. None of the window graphic manufacturers will replace images or refund costs for problems caused by improper installation.
Let’s Talk About Tools:
·Soap, water and a sponge/cloth will be used to prepare the surface before application,
·Dry the window with a clean, dry, soft cloth.
·You will need masking tape – to hold the graphic on the truck, while installing, and
·A sharp razor to trim the graphic – preferably new
Install Your Graphic in Favorable Conditions:
A few more words about "favorable conditions." If your truck has been sitting in the sun and it too hot to touch, those are NOT favorable conditions. If it is freezing outside and you use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat up the window, those are NOT favorable conditions! Why not? The heated surface of your window is unevenly heated and the 3M adhesive used will not adhere properly unless the temperature is between 60 and 90 degrees. Instead, it will bubble and/or peel off.
In temperatures too cold, you can put the vehicle in a garage that is heated and give it sufficient time to bring the glass to the proper temperature. In too cold conditions, the vinyl will be brittle and stiff - thus causing the graphic NOT to adhere properly.
Step I: Clean the Surface of the Vehicle's Window -
As you see from the list of tools, this project requires minimal tools, some patience and NO advanced degree in thermodynamics! You've checked that the temperature is within the proper range and used dish soap and water to wash the entire outside window. Hopefully, the sponge or rag or whatever will have some slight abrasiveness to remove oily deposits. Make sure you clean carefully the edge of the window - where the rubber gasket and the window meet.
Now, we just cleaned off the oily residue, so from this point on - try to avoid putting your hand prints on the glass. Dry the window with a clean, dry, soft cloth that is lint-free. Note: Use soap-and-water only! Do NOT use Windex, alcohol or any other solvent. Why? Because they interfere with the bonding between the window and the graphic. If you use these substances instead of soap-and-water, the graphic will peel off the window.
Step 2: Placing Your Graphic in Position -
Growing an extra pair of hands (OK, get someone to help you) will help position the graphic just where you want it to be. Make sure there's overlap on all 4 sides so there will be enough to trim later.
Do you have a slider window, rear window wipers or another obstruction? Not to worry. If you have a slider window, make sure you actually have a rear window graphic for a slider window.
Now look at this pleasant scene: The temperature is great, you have 4 hands and everything is ducky! Using longish strips of masking tape, affix the graphic to your truck (first) at the top, just to the right of center. Then put tape at the top, left and right corners. Stand back and look at your handiwork! Is this how you want it to be? If not, now is the time to make adjustments. When your graphic is "lookin' good," go to the next step!
Step 3: Where the Rear Window Graphic Meets the Window -
If you recall, we have three pieces of masking tape at the following locations: 1) just to the right of center, on top; 2) one on the left, upper corner, and 3) one at the right, upper corner. Now, take the masking tape from the left, upper corner. Peel back the backing on the left half of the graphic - to the center line. Hold the left side of the graphic away from the window (folding the graphic onto the right side), while peeling, so you can see the sticky side of the graphic. With one of those extra hands, carefully cut away the backing at the center of the graphic.
Now, you have the right side of the graphic still taped to the vehicle and you are holding the left 1/2 of the graphic without the backing attached to it. There is no backing between the graphic and the window on the left side.
Starting at the center (on the left half), start laying the graphic onto the window. Constantly smooth the graphic against the window from the center out - to avoid any creases or bubbles. If the graphic starts to crease, lift the graphic gently to release the crease, and then continue. Tug gently - this is no time to yank aggressively - because hard yanking can cause the graphic to stretch and pull the graphic out-of-sorts. Use your hand or the dry cloth to smooth out the image from the center out to the edges. These actions help remove bubbles and helps the adhesive to make the best possible bond to the glass.
After completing theleft side, remove the tape on the right side, fold back the right side over the left (as you did before, in the opposite direction). Take off the center piece of tape and peel off the backing from the rest of the graphic. Repeat on this side, just as you did before - from the center out, lay the image down smoothly.
A Few Words About Slider Windows, Rear Window Wipers and Other Situations:
At this point, treat the slider window (if you have one) as if it were a single pane. In other words, apply the graphic to the window and frame equally.This is a great time to pull out an old credit card and use it (or your fingertips) to press the graphic into the corners. Make sure the graphic is pressed into the corners where the window and frame meets. We will trim in the next exciting step!
Remember, Thou Shalt Not Apply Rear Window Graphics to the Interior of a Vehicle! The graphics, applied to the interior will prevent the driver from seeing out of the rear window! This is illegal and dangerous!
Many vehicles have obstructions: latches, wipers, handles, etc. Again, use your fingertips or an old credit card to press the graphic into the corners where the obstruction and the window meet. Now, we can trim!
Step 4: Time to Trim -
Here's some fascinating trivia that will come in handy. The reason there's a rubber gasket around rear windows is to allow the gasket to expand and contract - adjusting to the weather/temperature. This action can cause the graphic to slowly peel up. There are two solutions. (1) Trim the graphic about 1/8" away from the gasket, or (2) Tuck the cut edge slightly beneath the gasket.
The easier solution, and the one that looks better is # 2. For a neater appearance, it is easier to tuck the graphic under the gasket than to trim the graphic perfectly. After trimming, take that old credit card or another thin tool to tuck the graphic under the gasket.
To be continued --
Yes, there's a bit more to this fascinating tale.....
