Vinyl Sticker Placement?

[tintumz22]

I have a personalized sticker made.. but w/c y'all prefer for it to be placed? from the interior? or exterior? I'll be putting it in the rear glass.. i had them made if it is from the interior it can be read.. if it is in exterior? will it get ruined? due to washing?

[WolfsFang]

all my stickers are on the exterior and iv washed my car many times with no problem.

[Deebeaux]

I've got my own plotter and work with a lot of vinyl. It's always sort of been a hobby/side business for me.

As long as the shop is using a good quality vinyl it should be fine on the exterior of your car. I primarily use a vinyl called Oracal 651, which has a 6 years vertical surface outdoor lifespan for colors (metallics/chrome have much shorter life). I've had stickers on cars for 4 years that still look new. There's only two things I've dealt with that have shortened the lifespan significantly: 1) putting it on a horizontal surface (the roof) and 2) putting it in the path of a wiper blade.

Just ask the shop where you're getting your sticker what the expected outdoor life of the vinyl is. There are plenty of good brands out there: Oracal, Avery, 3M, etc...

This is all assuming a cut vinyl sticker. A solvent ink printed sticker will have a shorter lifespan as the ink fades and wears away from exposure to sun and other elements.

EDIT: I just noticed you said you want to put it on the rear glass. I'd definitely recommend putting it on the outside so you're not risking any chance of damaging the rear defroster. Peeling it off later may remove traces on the window, or if you're using a razor blade and slip you could damage it. Stickers usually get cheaper if you order more than one, so order a couple extra and when it wears out, you'll have some to replace it.

[jschendel]

Yes, I cut my own stickers as well and as long as it was made with decent quality vinyl it will be fine on the outside window. And as deebeaux mentioned above, the standard is Oracal 651.

[sbxjap]

Yea, what they said, lol.... Depending on material, exterior is best fo visibility of sticker. Mine have lasted a few years in direct sunlight. Have to be replaced every so often...

[Deebeaux]

It really comes down to quality of material and level of exposure. You can buy more expensive vinyl, Oracal 751 and even 851, but the cost effectiveness is just cut two or three of them in 651 and replace them when needed.

There are plenty of other factors: Do you park in a garage or in the sun all day? How often do you wash your car? Is it in the path of a wiper blade? Where do you live (coast, desert, artic)? All these things and more effect the life of the vinyl. However even in the harshest environment you should get a couple years out of the sticker. At that rate they shouldn't been so expensive it's not worth replacing every 2 years. If they are that expensive, find another shop!

[tintumz22]

Originally Posted by Deebeaux

I've got my own plotter and work with a lot of vinyl. It's always sort of been a hobby/side business for me.

As long as the shop is using a good quality vinyl it should be fine on the exterior of your car. I primarily use a vinyl called Oracal 651, which has a 6 years vertical surface outdoor lifespan for colors (metallics/chrome have much shorter life). I've had stickers on cars for 4 years that still look new. There's only two things I've dealt with that have shortened the lifespan significantly: 1) putting it on a horizontal surface (the roof) and 2) putting it in the path of a wiper blade.

Just ask the shop where you're getting your sticker what the expected outdoor life of the vinyl is. There are plenty of good brands out there: Oracal, Avery, 3M, etc...

This is all assuming a cut vinyl sticker. A solvent ink printed sticker will have a shorter lifespan as the ink fades and wears away from exposure to sun and other elements.

EDIT: I just noticed you said you want to put it on the rear glass. I'd definitely recommend putting it on the outside so you're not risking any chance of damaging the rear defroster. Peeling it off later may remove traces on the window, or if you're using a razor blade and slip you could damage it. Stickers usually get cheaper if you order more than one, so order a couple extra and when it wears out, you'll have some to replace it.

Originally Posted by jschendel

Yes, I cut my own stickers as well and as long as it was made with decent quality vinyl it will be fine on the outside window. And as deebeaux mentioned above, the standard is Oracal 651.

Originally Posted by sbxjap

Yea, what they said, lol.... Depending on material, exterior is best fo visibility of sticker. Mine have lasted a few years in direct sunlight. Have to be replaced every so often...

Originally Posted by Deebeaux

It really comes down to quality of material and level of exposure. You can buy more expensive vinyl, Oracal 751 and even 851, but the cost effectiveness is just cut two or three of them in 651 and replace them when needed.

There are plenty of other factors: Do you park in a garage or in the sun all day? How often do you wash your car? Is it in the path of a wiper blade? Where do you live (coast, desert, artic)? All these things and more effect the life of the vinyl. However even in the harshest environment you should get a couple years out of the sticker. At that rate they shouldn't been so expensive it's not worth replacing every 2 years. If they are that expensive, find another shop!

Thanks guys! All made me confident puttin on the sticker! I'll just monitor the durability of it and keep everything safe!

[Snozzberries]

Outside every time. It is vinyl, if it gets scrapped up just replace. I have some on my front windshield and they look great on the outside.

[markjan1]

While cleaning and doing prep work,put the vinyl in a safe place to avoid damage. Just a lil suggestion ...

[ShoGun]

anyone know of someone who could make this as a sticker?

http://imgur.com/7HhNG

In white with the inside of the #86 in black?

Or just as a white stick with the black area being "no-sticker"

Im sure we could get 10-15 ppl who want it made as a group buy of some sort

[driftartist]

http://www.sticker-brigade.com/ tell billy that roy sent you. maybe he will give you a deal. he is my friend who has an online store. check him out guys!

[jschendel]

I could but im sure it is a copywrighted/trademarked image. Actually made a few for myself.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13351

[Deebeaux]

I can make them as well, but most people, including me, won't touch copyrighted material on a "for profit" basis.

[driftartist]

A pirates life for me