XBox Skins Installation Instructions
General Application Instructions
• About the decals:
All of my decals are cut from a quality outdoor vinyl that has a rated life expectancy of five to seven years in ideal conditions. Automotive decals are designed to be applied to an exterior surface. Although windshield decals can be placed on the inside surface of glass, this is not their intended use and they must be custom cut for this type of application.
There are 3 layers to your decal. The top layer is the transfer tape and is used to correctly position and apply the decal. The middle layer is the decal itself and the bottom layer is the paper release backing. If you've ordered a skin kit and some of the pieces look like they have a different finish than the others, this is because some of the pieces do not have transfer tape and some do. Certain skins (like those made for controllers) can not be applied using transfer tape and therefore do not come with transfer tape on them.
• Surface preparation:
Before applying your decal the surface must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all dirt, wax & oils. If the surface is not properly cleaned the decal may not adhere well. The life of the decal is dependant on a properly cleaned surface when the decal is applied. Denatured alcohol or rubbing alcohol both work well to clean most surfaces. Standard glass cleaners can also be used for glass surfaces. When installing a skin on a gaming system we do not recommend spraying liquids of any kind on your system, instead use a cloth with cleaner sprayed on it.
• Application:
The following application instructions are intended for decals applied to a vehicle's window. However, some of the principles and procedures explained below may be applied to other decal applications as well. We recommend reading the application instructions specific to your application - located below under "Specific Application Instructions", if available.
Lay the decal along with the transfer tape, and backing flat against the surface that you wish to apply it to. Once the decal is in the position you desire use a piece of masking tape on each end to hold it in place. Now, leaving one edge of the decal taped to the surface, remove the other edge and fold the decal away from the surface, so that the backing is facing you. Carefully remove the backing making sure the decal (and all of it's parts) is firmly attached to the transfer tape. Once the backing is removed, carefully fold the decal back onto the surface in a rolling motion. The transfer tape will keep the decal together, and aligned with itself. Once the entire decal has contacted the surface, with the transfer tape still attached, rub the decal onto the surface with a squeegee, your fingers or a credit card to remove any bubbles and to insure good adhesion all over entire decal. Start from the center and work your way out to the edges so as to not trap air and create air bubbles. The transfer tape allows you to firmly rub the decal without damaging it.
When the decal has been completely applied to the surface, gently peel away the transfer tape. The decal will adhere to the surface much more aggressively than the transfer tape and the tape should peel away freely leaving no residue.
If there are bubbles present under the decal that cannot be removed by working them to the edge of the decal, a small pin or needle can be used to puncture the bubble and remove the air. A small pin hole will not be seen after the air bubble has been worked out. We do not recommend popping bubbles on chrome vinyl as the pin holes may be noticeable. Very small air bubbles may dissipate over time and we recommend that you wait 1-2 weeks for this to happen before using a pin to puncture air bubbles on chrome (or colored-chrome) vinyl.
The application of vinyl decals is not terribly difficult but it is best to work carefully and slowly. Don't try to rush the process or you could mess it up and ruin your decal. Once applied the decals cannot be repositioned, so take your time. It is also critical that the decals be applied at the correct temperature (between 60 & 80 degrees Fahrenheit). If the decal is applied at temperatures below 60 degrees they may not adhere properly. If the decal is applied at temperatures above 80 degrees air bubbles may form under the vinyl after it's applied.
• About the decals:
All of my decals are cut from a quality outdoor vinyl that has a rated life expectancy of five to seven years in ideal conditions. Automotive decals are designed to be applied to an exterior surface. Although windshield decals can be placed on the inside surface of glass, this is not their intended use and they must be custom cut for this type of application.
There are 3 layers to your decal. The top layer is the transfer tape and is used to correctly position and apply the decal. The middle layer is the decal itself and the bottom layer is the paper release backing. If you've ordered a skin kit and some of the pieces look like they have a different finish than the others, this is because some of the pieces do not have transfer tape and some do. Certain skins (like those made for controllers) can not be applied using transfer tape and therefore do not come with transfer tape on them.
• Surface preparation:
Before applying your decal the surface must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all dirt, wax & oils. If the surface is not properly cleaned the decal may not adhere well. The life of the decal is dependant on a properly cleaned surface when the decal is applied. Denatured alcohol or rubbing alcohol both work well to clean most surfaces. Standard glass cleaners can also be used for glass surfaces. When installing a skin on a gaming system we do not recommend spraying liquids of any kind on your system, instead use a cloth with cleaner sprayed on it.
• Application:
The following application instructions are intended for decals applied to a vehicle's window. However, some of the principles and procedures explained below may be applied to other decal applications as well. We recommend reading the application instructions specific to your application - located below under "Specific Application Instructions", if available.
Lay the decal along with the transfer tape, and backing flat against the surface that you wish to apply it to. Once the decal is in the position you desire use a piece of masking tape on each end to hold it in place. Now, leaving one edge of the decal taped to the surface, remove the other edge and fold the decal away from the surface, so that the backing is facing you. Carefully remove the backing making sure the decal (and all of it's parts) is firmly attached to the transfer tape. Once the backing is removed, carefully fold the decal back onto the surface in a rolling motion. The transfer tape will keep the decal together, and aligned with itself. Once the entire decal has contacted the surface, with the transfer tape still attached, rub the decal onto the surface with a squeegee, your fingers or a credit card to remove any bubbles and to insure good adhesion all over entire decal. Start from the center and work your way out to the edges so as to not trap air and create air bubbles. The transfer tape allows you to firmly rub the decal without damaging it.
When the decal has been completely applied to the surface, gently peel away the transfer tape. The decal will adhere to the surface much more aggressively than the transfer tape and the tape should peel away freely leaving no residue.
If there are bubbles present under the decal that cannot be removed by working them to the edge of the decal, a small pin or needle can be used to puncture the bubble and remove the air. A small pin hole will not be seen after the air bubble has been worked out. We do not recommend popping bubbles on chrome vinyl as the pin holes may be noticeable. Very small air bubbles may dissipate over time and we recommend that you wait 1-2 weeks for this to happen before using a pin to puncture air bubbles on chrome (or colored-chrome) vinyl.
The application of vinyl decals is not terribly difficult but it is best to work carefully and slowly. Don't try to rush the process or you could mess it up and ruin your decal. Once applied the decals cannot be repositioned, so take your time. It is also critical that the decals be applied at the correct temperature (between 60 & 80 degrees Fahrenheit). If the decal is applied at temperatures below 60 degrees they may not adhere properly. If the decal is applied at temperatures above 80 degrees air bubbles may form under the vinyl after it's applied.
Questions? Comments? Need help ordering?
| WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS! |
|