Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Adam Miller on May 27, 2011 at 8:50am

Go to a good graphics shop and they will do the design and then apply it to the aircraft. Be careful not to put on near the exhaust and also where it will cause damage if it comes off (ie tailrotor on a heli)

 

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Permalink Reply by Pam Landis on May 31, 2011 at 3:34pm

Hey Nick, I actually have my decals printed for me and I place them...great guy and good prices ....Gary "the signman"

561-795-5926 or 561-602-8877, he makes it so easy to install!!

Good Luck!

 

peel and stick and to remove use hairdryer....peels off easy and no damage to paint

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Permalink Reply by Nick Miles on June 2, 2011 at 7:37pm

Hi Pam - 

Thanks for the suggestion. I will get in touch with "Gary the sign guy".

-Nick

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schmidt on June 9, 2011 at 12:33pm

A little trick I learned when applying big decals is to spray the area with a little windex before you put the decal on.  It'll let the decal slide a little bit so you can get it placed perfectly.  Then use a squeegee to get most of the liquid out from under the decal.

 

It will take a bit of time to dry and completely stick to the helicopter, but makes the installation much easier.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Miles on June 9, 2011 at 12:42pm

Hi Mike -

That's a hot tip! Thanks so much for suggestion. 

-Nick

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schmidt on June 9, 2011 at 1:15pm

You're welcome.  The other benefit to this technique is that you don't get air bubbles under the decal.  Post pics when you're done!

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Permalink Reply by Nick Miles on June 9, 2011 at 1:44pm

Will do!

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Permalink Reply by Midwest Aircraft on July 30, 2011 at 10:20am

Nick, did you find what you needed? If not,we can help you out with that! We recommend using Airgraphics for design and renderings. We haved worked with them for many years and highly recommend them! There website is www.airgraphicsllc.com. Tell them that Midwest Aircraft Refinishing suggested them.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Richey on August 7, 2011 at 1:06pm

Talk to any air ambulance operation.  They are nothing more than flying billboards in most areas.

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Permalink Reply by Dwight Robinson on February 12, 2012 at 9:48am

Presumably your concerns will have been addressed already, given the timeline.  But for the benefit of general information, others might like to consider these points:

*     first, you may need to shape your decals if the application area is spherical.  This can be really tricky and is best left to those in the industry.  Confident and able Do it Yourselfers, however, can use a blowdryer to shrink the decals to the shape of the surface.

*     ensure that the surface area to which decals are to be applied are squeaky clean.  A mild, general cleaner to remove loose dirt followed by an alcohol- or spirit-based cleaner ensures that any dust and/or oily residues are removed from the area of application as much as is practical.

*     Mike indicated below to mist the area with Windex to permit the decals a little wiggle room once affixed.  Important thing is that as little as is required be used.

*     if, after you squeegee the water and air from under the decal you find that little bubbles are formed under the decal after a few days or weeks the natural reaction is to pin-prick the bubble to let the air escape.  BIG mistake.  If there is air trapped and it is not a major crises, leave them alone; otherwise, work them out to the sides of the decal if you can but do not punch holes in your decal.  Air will, eventually, get in more successfully than it stays out and the decal is likely to begin to lift, ruining an otherwise successful application.

*     allow the adhesive a day or three to cure.  This is not to say that you can't fly, but avoid touching, rubbing, or otherwise stressing the decal in that time period.

Safe flying.  Have a Bermudaful Day.

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