Here is a guide to applying a Vinyl Sun Visor Strip
The techniques we suggest are self taught through years
of experience. We expose our own company secrets in order
for your installation to be a professional one.
Our photos were taken outdoors for better lighting, however
we highly recommend installing in a dust and wind free environment
preferably indoors.
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Tools Required:
Squeegee with protective felt or a regular
squeegee placed in a sock to prevent scratching the vinyl.
Spray bottle with soapy water (1 drop per 100ml)
Window cleaner (we use methylated spirits)
Measuring Tape
Pen or pencil
Masking Tape
Knife with a NEW BLADE! |
Hints and Tips:
*Check the weather report to make sure no
rain is expected over the next few days. The Vinyl Strip needs
at least 48 hours to dry before using your wipers. This includes
not washing your car for 2 days.
*Look at the rubber seals before you begin fitting the strip.
Think about where the blade needs to run to cut the strip.
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Preparation:
The most important step! |
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Use window cleaner to thoroughly clean your
window. We suggest washing your paintwork too as dust on the
roof can wash onto your window.
Thoroughly clean the surface reaching all edges where the
vinyl strip will be applied. Soak your cloth in methylated
spirits and use your finger nails to clean the edge of your
rubber seals. You will notice a lot of grit on the cloth.
Take your time cleaning as this is where the vinyl is most
likely to fail if not clean. |
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Measure from the center of the windscreen down and mark with
masking tape the size you want the strip to cover. We measured
10mm and placed the tape just below that point. So when we put
the strip on we know to place it slightly above the tape. |
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What we must do now is measure the height of
the strip on each side of the car to ensure that it won’t
run on an angle.
Place a strip of masking tape on the rubber seal down each
side of the window. Make sure the tape is off the glass. |
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Look for a reference point you can measure from.
We used the corner of the rubber strip on the roof and either
the corner of the hood or front panel. Try to find different
points to compare your measurement on each side.
Make a base mark and place numbered points every 10mm (1cm)
from that base mark.
Do the same on the other side. Take your time and measure
more than once.
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At this point you will require 2 people.
Place the strip on the window so that it is just above your
center mark (masking tape) then check the sides to see at what
numbered mark the strip should align. This must be checked on
both sides. Remember for later.
You can at this point tape
the strip in position using masking tape and sit in the car
and see if you would like it lower or higher. |
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This may also require 2 people.
Using a spray bottle with your water/soap solution. Thoroughly
spray the window and surrounding panels so that the vinyl
won’t stick. Generously cover the window.
Peel
your vinyl film away from the backing paper and spray
as you go to make sure it does not stick to anything.
Again, be generous with the water.
Remember it is crucial that this is done where there
is no wind as dust will stick to the vinyl. |
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Using one person on each side of the car,
place the strip onto the window aligning with the side markers.
If the strip does not align, simply lift and try again. Avoid
sliding the strip as you can stretch the vinyl.
Note: if you do accidentally stretch the vinyl, use more
water under it and apply heat using a hair dryer or heat gun.
The film will quickly shrink back into shape. Remember to
keep the adhesive wet as the heat will dry the water and cause
the vinyl to stick. |
| Now using a felt covered squeegee,
lightly squeegee the water out from under the strip. Start from
the center top and squeegee down. Once you have worked your
way around the strip squeegee again using more pressure. Keep
squeegeeing until no water is seen to be coming from under the
vinyl. Remove all masking tape and squeegee the film against
the rubber seals and around the corner of the window. Make the
vinyl form the shape of the rubber. (Trim if necessary) |
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Using a new blade in your knife,
trim the straight sides of the strip. If you have never cut
vinyl before, we suggest cutting some excess off the top and
stick it to the glass, then try cutting to test how much press
you require. You will find that you do not need to press very
hard and we suggest not to as you will score your glass. Take
your time as you only want to cut once. Start at the sides
just after where the rubber seal curves. Complete a straight
cut down, then cut from the center of the windscreen to the
corner. Then squeegee or work the corner in with your finger
so that the vinyl is sitting flat on the glass where you are
about to make your cut, then cut the corner last. Take your
time as this stage does not need to be rushed. |
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After trimming the strip, carefully remove the excess vinyl
and squeegee the vinyl toward the rubber seals. You are now
complete. |
Congratulations on your first window strip install!
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