These instructions are for Seven's custom vinyl decals. If you have Seven's standard dry transfer decals, these instructions will not work. Contact us if you have questions.
Decal pack contents
- Two full sets of decals. We include a second set in case you have trouble applying any of the decals.
- One piece of Scotch-Brite for touch up of tubing blemishes or discoloration. Type: very fine, red color.
- A tubeset decal and the Made in USA decal
- Application instructions for Seven's standard decals. In this case, the USA and tubeset decals.
Remove the old decals
From Titanium:
Assuming the decals are Seven's standard design, the easiest way to remove them is to Scotch-Brite the decals to remove their protective coating and then use acetone or fingernail polish remover and a lot of elbow grease.
If there is a halo of different colored titanium surface remaining after decal removal, Scotch-Brite the area to elliminate the discoloration.
From Carbon:
Assuming the decals are Seven's standard design, use acetone or fingernail polish remover and a lot of elbow grease. Do not use Scotch-Brite because it will scuff the finish.
Apply the new vinyl decals
Each vinyl decal assembly consists of three layers:
- The top layer is called the "application tape." It's milky in color and somewhat transparent.
- The middle layer is the decal itself.
- The bottom layer is the "backing paper." This is a thick white stock that feels slightly waxy.
- Thoroughly clean surface with a degreaser like Simple Green. Next, use isopropyl rubbing alcohol to remove dirt, grease, and wax. Be sure to leave no soapy residue on the surface.
- Holding the decal, peel away the thick white backing paper from the decal. Fold a tiny corner of the backing paper to separate the application tape and decal from the entire sheet of backing stock. Slowly and steadily peel the backing sheet off the vinyl. Be careful while separating the stock so as not to break the bond between the vinyl and the application tape. Make sure not to let the underside of the decal get dirty.
- Position the decal over the frame's surface, taking care to get the correct position on the first attempt. You can't stick the decal down and peel it back off with any success. One trick is to use the backside of the backing sheet you've already removed as a partial holder for the sticky side of the vinyl. The backing sheet won't stick to the vinyl, so it can make placing the decal much easier. Touch down in the center of the decal graphic first and work your way outward.
- Once positioned, rub the application tape with your fingers, starting from the center of the decal and moving out to the edges, being careful not to trap air bubbles.
- Rub or burnish the entire vinyl with a Bondo squeegee or some other form of hard plastic applicator. Your thumbnail will work, too. Progress from the center to the edges, being sure not to move or displace the application tape. Hold the tape down while burnishing to avoid wrinkling the decal.
- Slowly peel off the application tape. Once the vinyl is mounted, tiny bubbles in the decal will pull themselves down in about a half-hour. Larger ones may be popped with a pin or an Exacto knife and burnished down. As with all pressure-sensitive decals, it takes several days for the bond to set. Avoid major abrasion to the vinyl for about a week.
- Finish the frame with a protectant like furniture polish or any bike-specific frame polish.
Note: Reflective vinyl follows the same application process as standard vinyl. However, reflective vinyl is much more brittle than standard vinyl, so once reflective has been applied, it is not so easy to remove because it breaks into many pieces.
