| Myth One | | | | We always recommend using heat to remove the |
| Myth: Wall decals are stickers | | | | decals or surface graphics. Heat will loosen the |
| | | | adhesive and make removing the vinyl a simpler task. |
| Vinyls are self adhesive, much thinner than a sticker, | | | | If you paint was good to start with, it will survive having |
| and are able to withstand heat which can be used to | | | | a surface graphic placed on it. |
| ensure it sticks properly to the surface. A sticker | | | | Myth Five |
| would just bubble, but vinyl likes the heat and will | | | | Myth: Decals can only be used inside. |
| contour to the surface. | | | | Reality: Decals and surface graphics can be used |
| Stickers are on a sheet, and you peel up the corner of | | | | inside and outside. The rule is that decals won't stick to |
| the design and pull it off the backing paper and then | | | | rough surfaces, so if you are trying to apply to a rough |
| stick onto another surface. Basically a sticker is a print | | | | surface outside, no, it probably won't stick. But, if you |
| onto paper which has adhesive. Sometimes this paper | | | | are sticking the decal to the outside of a garden shed, |
| is glossy, sometimes it is plastic coated etc. They can | | | | or applying the decal to an outdoor patio as a feature, |
| be made of vinyl, but are much thicker and don't look | | | | then absolutely it work. Exposure to UV, rain and other |
| like they are hand painted. Generally stickers look | | | | environmental elements will be okay for the vinyl for up |
| cheaper and more temporary than a true decal. | | | | to 7 years (depending on the level of exposure). |
| Myth Two | | | | Myth Six |
| Myth: Decals are only for walls | | | | Myth: Wall decals are reposition-able. |
| Reality: No. In fact, decals are best applied to the | | | | Reality: No. They are not. Many companies claim they |
| hardest, flattest surface possible. They love drywall, | | | | are, but the fine print is they accept no responsibility if |
| glass, formica, painted wood, steel, plastic. Can be | | | | they don't. Very convenient for those companies. You |
| applied to painted plaster, (might require heat to assist | | | | have already paid your money for something you think |
| in application), and absolutely does not work with | | | | will restick and then it doesn't. |
| stucco and brick surfaces. | | | | Decals are made of self adhesive vinyl. Good decals |
| In reality, decals and surface graphics can be applied | | | | are made of ultra thin vinyl. So if you can imagine lifting |
| to any surfaces that you imagine as long as they fit | | | | a very thin sticker off a hard surface, it will most |
| with the above. Try applying decals to a ceiling! A floor! | | | | certainly be damaged where a) you have picked at |
| A fridge! A filing cabinet! A reception desk! Decals and | | | | the corner to lift it and b) where it stretches as it is |
| surface graphics work on many surfaces. | | | | lifted away from the hard surface. Plus, some of the |
| Myth Three | | | | adhesive is left on the surface, so the next time you |
| Myth: Wall decals and surface graphics are as easy | | | | apply the stretched, damaged decal, it won't stick for |
| as PEEL AND STICK. | | | | very long. |
| Reality: No. This is not true. Wall decals come with a | | | | The team at Cool Art Vinyl know their stuff. When |
| backing paper and a low tack application tape. These | | | | purchasing wall decals or surface graphics, think of it |
| are used to assist in applying the pre-spaced letters | | | | as a single application purchase and you won't be |
| and designs to the surface. You need to follow the | | | | disappointed. |
| instructions, work slowly and often require two sets of | | | | Myth Seven |
| hands to complete the application. However, once | | | | Myth: Decals look like hand painted murals and designs |
| applied they are absolutely worth the effort!!!! | | | | on the surface. |
| Myth Four | | | | Reality: Right On! Well-made, good quality decals are |
| Myth: Surface graphics ruin the paint. | | | | absolutely fantastic as a decorating item. Generally |
| Reality: Mmmmm. Always a hard one when it comes | | | | they are low cost and beat the price of someone |
| to paint. If your paint is poorly applied or old, anything | | | | hand painting or doing calligraphy on the wall. We |
| will ruin it, not just decals. Bubbling paint will lift simply by | | | | regularly do comparison quotes against painters and |
| running your hand over it, so never mind having | | | | our prices are a third if not a half of the competition. |
| something stuck to it. | | | | |