Applying Decals To Aluminum Boats: A Step-By-Step Guide

Applying a decal to your aluminium boat is a great way to add some visual excitement to your vessel. Before you start, ensure you have the right tools and materials, including a flexible plastic squeegee, 70% isopropyl alcohol, a spray bottle, microfiber towels, a tape measure, a grease pencil, masking tape, scissors, an X-Acto knife, and a Seal-It-Pen. It's also important to choose the right type of vinyl material for your decal, as you'll want something that is UV-stabilized and suitable for the marine environment. Once you've gathered your supplies and chosen your decal, follow these steps: clean the surface of your boat thoroughly, find the centre point for your decal and mark it, position the decal, peel away the backing, and finally, remove the transfer paper. With these steps, you'll be able to apply a decal to your aluminium boat like a professional!

Clean the boat's surface with a boat-specific cleaner and then dry it with a towel

To apply a decal to an aluminium boat, you must first ensure that the boat's surface is clean. This is an essential step, as any debris, dirt, or staining will be locked in place if you apply the decal without cleaning the boat first.

Use a boat-specific cleaner that is gentle on the hull material, such as Boat Cleaner, to thoroughly clean the area where you plan to place the decal. Give the boat a good rinse—twice if necessary—to ensure that all the cleaner is removed. Then, dry the area with a fresh towel. You may also want to leave some time for the boat to air dry. This step is important because using a cleaner that is not designed for boat hulls can result in streaks being locked in.

If you are covering old decals, use a product like Release Adhesive & Sealant Remover before cleaning to ensure that the old decals are completely removed.

Measure twice, apply once. Plan how your decal will look and hold it up to the hull to see where it looks best

Before applying a decal to your aluminium boat, it's important to plan how it will look. You should measure twice and apply once, as the saying goes. This means taking the time to consider the placement of your decal and making sure it's straight and in the right spot before you start applying it.

First, hold the decal up to the hull of your boat. See how it looks from different angles and at different heights. You might find that lining it up with the natural build of your boat looks better than trying to achieve perfect balance from the ground.

Consider the size and shape of the decal in relation to the boat. If it's a large decal, you might want to centre it on the hull. If it's smaller, you might want to position it higher or lower, depending on the overall look you're going for.

Once you've decided on the general area where you want to place the decal, use a tape measure to find the exact centre of this area. Mark this spot with a grease pencil. Then, lightly fold the decal in half lengthwise and crease it to find the vertical centre. Align the crease with the mark you made on the hull.

Now, use small pieces of masking tape to roughly position the decal. You can also use painter's tape outside of your chosen spot to help guide you. Once you're happy with the positioning, run a long piece of masking tape across the top edge of the decal to create a temporary hinge. This will help keep the decal in place while you prepare to apply it.

Take your time with this planning stage to ensure you're happy with the placement of your decal. It's much easier to make adjustments now than to try and remove and reposition the decal later.

Use a flexible plastic squeegee to press out air bubbles, working firmly from the centre outward

When applying a decal to an aluminium boat, it is important to pay attention to the process of removing air bubbles. This is a critical step in ensuring a smooth and professional finish. Here is a detailed guide on how to use a flexible plastic squeegee to effectively remove air bubbles when applying a decal:

Firstly, ensure you have the right tools. A flexible plastic squeegee is an essential item, and it should be included with your decal. This tool will help you firmly press out any air bubbles, working from the centre of the decal outward.

Before you begin, make sure you are working in a calm, windless environment with air temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This is important to ensure the decal applies smoothly and effectively.

Now, let's get started with the decal application. After cleaning the surface of your aluminium boat and finding the centre point of where you want to apply the decal, you will have positioned the decal with masking tape. The next step is to peel away the backing paper from the top. As you do this, allow the decal to lightly adhere as you pull down on the backing. If at any point the decal wrinkles, quickly pull it away and smoothly put it back down.

This is where the flexible plastic squeegee comes into play. Starting from the centre of the decal and working outward, use the squeegee to firmly press out any air bubbles. This step requires a firm hand and a careful eye to ensure all air bubbles are removed. Work your way across the entire decal, paying close attention to the edges and corners.

By following these steps, you will effectively remove air bubbles and create a smooth, professional finish for your boat decal. Remember to take your time, work methodically, and ensure your work environment is suitable for decal application.

Remove the transfer paper by peeling it off, beginning at the upper left corner, pulling at a 45-degree downward angle

Now it's time to remove the transfer paper. Start at the upper left corner and gently peel it off, pulling at a 45-degree downward angle. If the paper tears, simply go back to the upper left corner and start again. This process may take a bit of time and patience, but it's important to ensure the decal remains intact.

The transfer paper should come off smoothly, but if you encounter any resistance, stop and check for any remaining backing paper. Sometimes, the centres of letters like D, O, or P might still have backing paper attached. To remove this, you can use an X-Acto knife to carefully lift the edges and then peel the paper away.

Once you've removed the transfer paper, carefully check the decal for any remaining backing. You don't want to miss any spots, so take your time and ensure every part of the decal is ready for application.

If you're happy that all the backing paper has been removed, you can now move on to the next step of applying your decal to the aluminium boat. Remember to take your time and work carefully to achieve the best results.

Apply a sealant pen along the decal edges to prevent the vinyl from peeling or lifting

Applying a decal to an aluminium boat is a great way to add some visual excitement to your vessel. Before you start, it's important to ensure your boat is clean and clear of any debris, dirt or staining where you plan to place the decal.

Once you have prepared the surface, you can move on to applying the decal. This process should be done with care and patience. It is recommended to plan how your decal will look by holding it up to the hull and seeing where it looks best.

After you have applied the decal, you may want to consider using a sealant pen along the edges to prevent the vinyl from peeling or lifting. This step is especially important if the vinyl will be exposed to constant wiping or physical contact. Sealant pens, such as the Rvinyl Pro Sealer Application Pen, are designed to bond the edge of the graphic film to the application surface.

To use a sealant pen, follow these steps:

• Press the tip of the pen on a flat surface for 15-30 seconds to prime it.
• Hold the pen at a 45-degree angle and apply the sealant along the edges of the decal. Use the chisel tip for a wide stroke and the bullet tip for a fine line.
• Allow 30-60 minutes of drying time.
• If the tip dries out during application, re-press it to moisten.
• Tighten the cap when not in use.
• If needed, clean up any dry excess sealer with mineral spirits.

By following these steps, you can effectively seal the edges of your boat decal, preventing peeling and lifting, and ensuring the longevity of your vinyl application.

Frequently asked questions