How to Install your Livery

⚠️ First - download your reference guides here:

Zoku Livery Reference Guide (for hood and shadows)

Akari Livery Reference Guide (for hood and shadows)

Enra Livery Reference Guide (for hood and shadows)

(DO NOT skip this step if a reference guide is available for the livery you bought)

 

Warning:

  • We advise using this guide to apply your livery, as we cannot issue a refund or replacement due to incorrect use or application. If you feel you are unable to apply your livery, then please contact us.
  • Always apply your livery in a neutral temperature. Do not apply your livery in temperatures too hot, cold, humid, in rain, winds, or heatwaves.
  • All our liveries are made from vinyl with air-release technology (bubble-free application), this means the vinyl is DRY APPLICATION ONLY.
  • If you have bought any of our special vinyl films (chrome, holographic, reflective, sparkles, glow in the dark) then the vinyl may be a little harder to transfer onto the transfer tape, and apply onto the car as these vinyls are much heavier and thicker than normal gloss or matt colours. Please take extra care when fitting those colours.
  • Please avoid washing the car and using your wiper blade for the first 24 hours after application, to give the livery time to bond with the surface.

 

What you'll need to get started:

  • Livery
  • Squeegee
  • Surface cleaner (Isopropyl Alcohol)
  • Microfibre 
  • Heat gun
  • Making tape
  • Graphics knife (we like to use the 30° Olfa knife)

 

Preparing your livery:

Step 1: All your vinyl is rolled up together. Unroll all the sheets so you can see everything at once.

Step 2: Before cutting anything, use the reference guide above (if one is available for your livery) to identify and label each piece on the vinyl roll. We recommend using a Sharpie to write directly on top of each piece, or if you’re using a pen, write just next to the vinyl to avoid leaving indents. Make sure the numbers you write match the layout sheet exactly. Labelling everything now will make the entire install process way easier and way less chaotic.

 

Applying your livery:

Step 1: Preparation of the car is super important. Wash the car thoroughly prior to application with a neutral shampoo. Ensure you cover all areas, even those not so obvious such as creases, panel gaps, underneath sills etc. Next, clean the car/application surface with a clean microfibre and isopropyl rubbing alcohol or water, so that the surface is free of dust, dirt, and grime. Please ensure you remove any wax, ceramic coating, or protectors from the surface. Do not use any generic glass cleaner as these can leave residue and cause the livery to peel and bubble. Make sure to dry the surface before you move onto step 2.

Step 2: Although we do this before sending them it’s a good practise to do it again. Before you rip off the backing paper make sure to squeegee the livery. This can also be done using a microfibre. This ensures that the vinyl is stuck fully to the transfer tape ready for you to install it.

NOTE: If you are applying a livery with shadows, label, cut and position your main pieces first. Once the main pieces are fully applied, then move onto labelling, cutting and positioning the shadow pieces. Any stars/logos go on last.

Step 3: First cut out all your vinyl pieces. Before applying, masking tape all the parts to the car to make sure you’re leaving enough space for all of them (see image below for reference). That way if after placing them all, you realise a few are a little off- you can then adjust without having to buy more pieces. TIP: Take notice of ANGLES of the pieces, as well as the placement. If you have eg. blossom branches or tribal flames, make sure they are all at the same angle, otherwise it won’t blend right. TIP: Get a friend to help with masking taping it, and applying big pieces. TIP: Be patient with the vinyl, it takes some time getting used to at first.

Step 4: Once you have found the perfect placement for your livery, start applying each decal in 2 pieces (especially useful for big pieces, smaller pieces can be peeled and applied in one go). With the masking tape across the middle of each decal, peel one side from the backing paper, peel until you hit the masking tape in the middle. Cut the backing paper off near the masking tape (has to be a clean cut) and then lay down that piece, squeegeeing from the masking to the end. Once the first half of the decal has been laid down, remove the masking tape, peel off the rest of the backing paper, and lay that down while squeegeeing from the middle to the end. TIP: Try to not use the heat gun during the application process, unless it's needed. Most liveries can be applied without the use of a heat gun.

Step 5: Once all the pieces have been placed down, it's time to trim down the excess vinyl using your knife.

Step 6: When your livery looks finished, make sure to post heat every single piece using the heat gun. This helps the glue underneath bond with the car surface. TIP: Remember to not heat it up too much as this can break the vinyl.

 

EXTRA TIP: If your livery is a very detailed die-cut, or has spiky corners etc, remember to keep that in mind when washing the car in the future, as they can get caught easily eg. when using a microfibre cloth. Contactless washes are best for liveried cars.

 

That's it, enjoy your freshly applied livery!