Adhesive performance depends entirely on surface preparation.
Adhesive products should only be installed when it is dry outside. Applications should not be attempted when it is rainy or when dew is forming on the ground or other surfaces. A dry sunny day is optimal. Air temperature should be between 32 and 100 degrees and room temperature is optimum. Never attempt to apply reflective tape in sub freezing temperatures and do expose the tape to sub freezing temperatures until it has cured for at least 48 hours. The tape contracts in extreme cold and if it sets in this state it may buckle later on when the temperature increases.
CLEAN SURFACE
The surface that the tape will be applied to must be clean, dry and free of any contaminants such as dirt, grease, oil, etc.. Hand washing the application area will accomplish this.
To insure that the area is clean, a rag soaked in isopropol alcohol should be used to wipe down the surface. Before the alcohol dries wipe it down again with a separate rag. This will also help dry the surface.
APPLYING THE MATERIAL
Peel the backing off the the material. Peel as you apply. Do not peel off more than you can work with at one time. Also, avoid touching the adhesive side of the tape as this can contaminate the adhesive and reduce its effectiveness.
Lay the material down using your fingers to press it onto the surface. Avoid laying the tape down and then pulling it up and laying it down again as this tends to damage the adhesive. (Also, we have a picture below of a hinge application process that can help keep the tape straight during application.)
Using a squeegee or similar object, squeegee the tape down to the surface. Gently at first and then with more pressure. Wrap the squeegee in cloth if necessary to keep from scratching the material. If a squeegee is not available use a cloth to press the tape firmly to the surface. Cut the material with a razor blade at any seams or joints in the surface that you are applying to. Go over rivets and then after application cut around the rivets with a razor blade or exacto so that the material lays flat all the way around the rivet. If you go around a sharp corner cut the tape and begin a new piece around the corner. The edges of the tape should be kept about 1/4" from the edge of the surface that you are working on. If you bend the tape around a sharp corner it will stick at first but will eventually come up. The material is designed to be applied to generally flat surfaces.
When more than one piece of tape is needed to form a continious line, it is recommended that you butt splice the material instead of overlapping it.
