When I use appliques on larger vehicles, I first spray the area with soapy water so I can slide the decal into position. Can I do that with the Xtreme canopy decals also?

Oh, and for those going to the Xtreme canopy and want to pain it, you don't have to mask off the windshield. It already has a film on it. Just paint, trim around the window with a razor and peel the film off. I found that tidbit when I pulled the masking tape off. The film came off too. How come you guys never told me about that? I thought we were on the same side!!

I shot paint over the dye on my CX. The dye job was excellent but I couldn't get a paint color match. I guess I selected a bad dye color.

Help is appreciated.
Soloboss

Solo--

Hey there ! Last month when I did my Xtreme decals, I wondered the same thing...I also use to use the "soapy water" method for applying vinyl lettering/decals to auto's, and use the method for tinting windows also. Great thing like you know is it alloys you to move the decal around sliding it on the surface to get that perfect placement. So when I went to do my Xtreme decals, on a dry apply, It's usually a one time shot...Lol..I had cut my Xtreme decals around the edge of the pattern and had a little extra from excess, so I used a small piece and tried a little water and putting it on a sample area of the heli, but it didn't feel right, and I think the process won't work, it had no real intentions to staying stuck on the canopy...Lol..But it was a very quickie experiment. So if ya had extra sticker, try a sample, I didn't really give it to long to dry to give you a good answer. Just giving ya my .02...Lol..

Take care !


-- Jeff

Nope won't work....destroyed my set trying that very thing. When it comes to the Xtreme canopy, decals and trying to paint the inside of it....well I just don'tt want to talk about it anymore I had a super miserable time with mine. Had issues with paint sticking, decals were the easiest part once you figure out it's just cut peel and stick.

hey guys...i may be able to shed a little light on this. I have a sign shop...I design, print, cut decals from small stickers like were talking about here to large format, 5'wide, prints. I checked out the decals that came with my xtreme canopy. they are like a vinyl decal. the soapy water will work on most vinyl decals. A very very diluted soap/water mix and a spray mister is ideal...it's not like the decals one would use on a model. Placing a mask over the decals can help a bit too, the lighter the tac on the masking tape the better it will work. The tape makes it more rigid for easier handling. but the decals will have to be completely dry to remove the mask or you may pull the decals off. you could also, get a small bottle of application fluid called RapidTac. This is what i use to apply large decals. it works on the same principal as the soapy water but it evaporates much faster...it allows for a little floating. i am getting a wireless cam for xmas and i cannot decide if I want to put a printed vinyl skin on the canopy or leave it clear and put the cam inside the clear nose. good catch on the clear protective film, btw, i hadn't noticed it and just assumed it was a cloudy plastic waiting for paint. i'm gonna leave the film on until i get the cam installed. it might work.

quattro

After reading the above posts I am a little confused. Are the decals that come with the canopy the kind you soak in water and then apply, or the kind you peel off the backing and stick in place and will not slide around?

Hey wxup - I can answer your question.
The answer is - Umm - yes! Yes they are. Exactly.
Stump3r said that he just peeled his off the backing and stuck them in place. So they must be a peel and stick.
BUT
I don't feel that lucky, so after painting my canopy and drying it really well, I misted a light soap / water solution onto the canopy, soaked the decal in water until it moved on the paper backing easily, then made REALLY SURE the canopy was still moist and I slid the decals onto the canopy and positioned them. No problem at all.
Perhaps with too much soap and water I might have washed the sticky from the back of the decals, but I used just enough liquid to lube the surface.
After positioning the decals, I held them in place with one finger and used a dry paper towel to squeegee the surface of the decal to push the water out from under it. They're stuck like they belong there. And in one place the the decal overhangs the edge of the canopy, there is still adhesive on the backside. I probably should clean that off before dust sticks to it.

It seems they work both ways. If you feel lucky, just stick it. If not, lube it.