All our Boat Name graphics come with a printed “How To Apply a Boat Name” Instruction Manual. If you would like a sneak peak, watch our video below. Or read the step by step instructions.
How To Apply a Boat Name Instruction Video
How To Apply a Boat Name Step by Step Instructions
Please Read ALL of these instructions before you start to apply your Boat Name.
Applying graphics is really simple if you follow these instructions exactly.
If you have any questions or something starts to go wrong, call Chris on 0421 333 905 and we’ll help you best we can.
You’re going to need a:
- A spray bottle filled with soapy water (use a ratio of 2 drops of soap to 1 cup of water) Methylated Spirits
- 2 pieces of lint-free cloth
- A cutting knife
- A measuring tape
- Masking tape
- The Applicator provided
SOME IMPORTANT THINGS BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
- If your boat has an unpainted aluminum hull, you must apply your graphics dry.
- Make sure the surface and air temperature are NO colder than 5°C.
- Don’t apply your graphics to a hot surface or a dark hull in direct sunlight.
- Don’t get the backing paper wet.
HOW TO APPLY A BOAT NAME – STEP 1: PREP THE GRAPHIC
To prepare your Boat Name for application, remove it from the post- age tube and roll it out onto a smooth and clean surface.
Once rolled out you may see some ripples in the backing paper, these form during transit.They are easily removed so we are going to smooth them out.
Place the decal with your boat name or graphic facing down. Peel open the folded down edge of application paper. Cut the excess flap off. This makes it easier to apply the graphic later on. Do this to both ends of the graphic.
Lift up the backing paper halfway and smooth it back down with your hand.
Grab the applicator that came with your graphics kit and further smooth down the paper. Start in the center and work your way towards the edges in a horizontal stroking motion.
Repeat this to the other end of the graphic.
Leave the graphic flat on the table for at least a few hours, ideally overnight This allows the graphic to flatten out more.
HOW TO APPLY A BOAT NAME – STEP 2: PREP THE BOAT
Before you begin, make sure your boat is in a clean environment out of the wind. All surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before applying your Boat Name. Remove any old tape or glue.
Freshly painted surfaces should be fully cured prior to application. Give single pack at least 3 days and 2 pack at least a week to cure.
Give your boat a good clean and wipe the area thoroughly with Methylated Spirits and a lint-free cloth. Ensure that there is no dirt, salt or polish remaining.
HOW TO APPLY A BOAT NAME – STEP 3: ALLIGNING
You’re almost ready for application.
Take a few steps back and study the whole side of the boat. And decide on what the dominant line of the boat is. This is normally the best one to align the name with.
On yachts and lager motor vessels the cove line is usually dominant and is an easy line to work form. On smaller craft, such as runabouts the gunnel is often best. We recommend avoiding placing the name too far forward into an area that has a strong flare or curve. As this will distort the name ( especially on longer names). Use a measuring tape to make sure the name is level by measuring the distance between similar letters and your dominant line.
If you have a chined hull, it looks best to place the baseline of your Boat Name (the baseline is the average bottom of your letters without a tail) just above a chine. This will reduce the number of chines you have to cross.
Guesstimate where you would like your graphic to be and tape it in place with a piece of masking tape at each end.This will allow you to easily move the graphic around.Take a few steps back to make sure you’re happy with the placement of your graphic.
If your boat has a smooth hull, further secure the left side with some extra tape. Then place a length of masking tape vertically down the center of your graphic to use as a hinge point.
Make sure the hinge is strong and doesn’t come undone easily. You may have to put down a couple of layers of masking tape depending on its strength and quality.
If your boat has a hull with chines, a horizontal tape hinge works best. In this case, place a length of masking tape horizontally along the top edge of your graphic. If your Boat Name is too long to handle with ease, you can cut it between the words after the hinge is placed and apply each word separately.
HOW TO APPLY A BOAT NAME – STEP 4: APPLICATION
If your boat has a smooth hull, remove the piece of masking tape on the right side of the graphic. And peel the graphic back halfway (removing the backing paper) until you get to the tape hinge. Now cut away half the backing paper. If you have a very large graphic you may need an assistant to hold the graphic for you whilst doing this.
Spray the hull where this part of the graphic in going to sit with the soapy water mixture, then spray some on the sticky side of the graphic.
Be careful NOT to get the backing paper underneath the left side of the graphic wet.
Now move your graphic back towards the hull of your boat, but make sure to keep it at enough distance to avoid any contact with the hull.
Make sure to hold the graphic straight and square. Holding the print too high or too low may cause creases and makes it harder to apply your graphic
Start applying your Boat Name by firmly smoothing down the graphic with the applicator. Start in the center of the graphic about an inch away from where you cut off the backing paper.
Place your applicator in the middle and move it over to the top edge of the graphic pressing down firmly. Place it back in the middle and move it to the bottom edge.
Repeat this up and down motion all the way to the edge on the right side of the graphic. Each time overlapping half the previous stroke to avoid bubbles and creases.
Excellent!
We are now ready to move over to the other end of the graphic. Remove all masking tape. Peel the Boat Name back to where it is firmly applied by your applicator’s first stroke.
Remove the backing paper and spray the hull and sticky side of the graphic with the soapy water mixture. Now move the print over towards the hull. Again make sure the graphic doesn’t touch the hull.
Use the same up and down motion, overlapping half of each stroke until the whole print is applied. Now give the print a second firm application to make sure it stuck well using a horizontal motion starting in the middle and working your way towards the edge.
If your boat has a chined hull you need to work from top to bottom. Take the first word you want to apply (or the whole graphic if you didn’t need to cut it in sections) and fold it up at the hinge. Remove the backing paper and spray the sticky side of the graphic and the hull with your soapy water mixture. Be careful not to spray the backing paper underneath the rest of your graphic.
Place your applicator in the center of the top edge of your section and firmly press it down as you move to the bottom of your first chine. Now move it back up to the top of that chine whilst overlapping the previous stroke by half. Keep the graphic tight and out of the valley until the first chine if fully applied.
Before moving on to the next chine, use your finger or the rounded corner of the squeegee to rub the graphic tightly into the corner between the valley and the next chine. Repeat this 5 or so times to make sure vinyl is stuck well and tightly into the corner of the valley before moving on.
When you move on to the next chine, make sure the vinyl doesn’t pull away from the previous valley.
If this does happen, be patient. You probably just have to much soap in your spray bottle mixture. Simply tip out half of the mix and replace it with water.
To fix the jump in your graphic carefully lift the lettering back to the valley, spray the less soapy water on the hull and sticky side of the graphic and repeat the last step.
If you can’t pull it back without stretching the vinyl, leave it for now and be extra careful with the next valley. Once you’ve applied your entire Boat Name and removed the application paper you can fit it by carefully warming up the graphic with a hairdryer and pushing the vinyl back into the valley.
HOW TO APPLY A BOAT NAME – STEP 5: FINISHING TOUCH
Once you’ve finished applying your graphic leave it for at least 30 minutes before removing the application paper. To remove the application paper, spray it with a generous amount of water. Rub the water in to help it penetrate the paper. This will soften the glue and release the paper from the graphic. Wait for 1 minute.
Now peel the paper off in a sharp angle back against itself. Watch the graphic closely to make sure the edges don’t lift up. If the edge does lift up, stop pulling the application paper. Push the graphic firmly down to avoid further peeling and leave for a bit longer before removing the rest of the application paper.
Any bubbles under the graphic? Don’t stress. We use air release vinyl which allows bubble to be removed easily. Just tap the bubble out using your finger. Start in the center and work your way towards the edges.
Congratulations! You have successfully applied your Boat Name like a pro!
See our other video instructions for more tips on How To Install Marine Graphics.
And follow us on YouTube to stay updated on new installation tips and tricks.
