Need help installing bedside decal!

Hey guys, I have a 2014 Tacoma dbcb shortbed. I have taken off the factory "TRD Sport" decal on the side of my bed and would like to install new decals.

I am using painter's tape, a level, and measuring in from both sides to put it on.

I am just wondering if anyone has any advice learned from experience, that I may not have thought of.

Thanks guys

 

I just put them on carefully...I don't really know how to describe it. Just started by sticking one side and slowly working it through until the entire thing was stuck.

This thread has a link in the last post for dimensions on decal placement...good luck!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trd-decal-placement.167777/

 

I would use blue painters tape to make a line below, and a level.

 

yeah, that is what I'm doing. painter's tape, level, and measure in from each side. Just curious if there are any suggestions from experience, I may not have thought through

 

I wouldn't use a level.

I'd go with the lines of the body and go parallel from that using measuring tape and masking tape as your new line to decal to.

 

Thats a good point, cause from the pdf attached above, it seems the sticker is not level based on the measurements.

 

If you mix some soap and water into a mild solution in a spray bottle and spray it on the sticky side and paint before you put them on it will help. Will be able to slide it around a little for adjustments and makes getting any bubbles out easier.

 

With larger decals, sign guys that letter commercial trucks use magnets to hold the decal in place before peeling the backing off.

The bedside decal wouldn't require magnets.... it's not that big.

 

Remember ... folks can only see one side at a time ... do they have to be exact ... not really .... a little dish soap in a spray bottle of water ... you can move it about somewhat.

 

all of the above, no level, just measure. AND a hard plastic squegee thing, or a credit card, it will help get the bubbles out. go slow and measure three times, this is what i did, came out great.

 

Better idea- leave them off. Haha, just my opinion. I hate the dumb "Totally Rad Dude" stickers on the bed sides.

 

A level only makes sense if the truck is on a perfectly level surface

 

Just to add to what's already been suggested, I would probably use the plastic cap thingy on top of the rear fenders a reference point for measuring. It's a straight line on top of the fender, that runs the length of the bed. The problem with using a level, even on level ground, is that the truck is likely not level. Especially if it has any kind of rake to it, or "Bro Lean".

Also take this from someone who hasn't done this, but has done tons of other applications, I don't know what the backing is like, sometimes it's split in half, sometimes not. But in either case, What I usually do is get it lined up, and peel the very edge of the backing off (for that decal, maybe an inch of it), fold it flat back on itself (the backing), with it still lined up, stick that small piece on, check to see that your still where you want to be (that way if not, you can adjust), and if so, start to peel the backing, and flatten as you go. If you do it this way (assuming it's a heavy vinyl, which are usually very forgiving), it should go on with little, to no bubbles to flatten out. As has been mentioned before use a credit card, and flatten as you go. Meaning as you are peeling the backing, flatten the bubbles. It will probably help to do this with a light held to the side of the truck while looking down the side. This will highlight any bubbles.