Get Crafty Art Projects How to Paint Over Decals By Ryan Lawrence eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here. Things You'll Need • Water-based degreasing soap • Coarse sponge • Rags • Shop towels • 220-grit sandpaper • Professional painter's tape • Dropcloth • Latex primer • 2- to 3-inch polyester paintbrush • Latex paint Sand the decal before you prime it. Decal removal can be a tedious task fraught with potential unseen problems. Sticker adhesives are often too powerful to remove without the help of powerful cleansers that can damage underlying surfaces. If you need to paint, but are unable to remove existing decals from the surface you are working on, paint over the stickers, using the proper techniques. Unfortunately, decals are not suited for adhesion and require specific preparation before they will accept paint. Prepare thoroughly, or the decals will inevitably shed their new finish. ADVERTISEMENT Step 1 Wash the decal with a water-based soap, using the sponge. Rinse the decal with a damp rag. Dry the sticker with a towel. Step 2 Lightly sand the sticker with a fine 220-grit sandpaper. Stop when the decal feels slightly rough. This promotes adhesion. ADVERTISEMENT Fast-track to Citizenship Unlock Your Potential with Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment. Step 3 Cover areas next to the decal with painter's tape. Step 4 Coat the decal with latex primer, using a soft polyester paintbrush. Apply gentle pressure to prevent runs. Allow the sticker to dry for two hours. ADVERTISEMENT Step 5 Clean the soft polyester paintbrush with water. Step 6 Coat the decal with latex paint, using the clean soft polyester paintbrush. Apply gentle pressure to prevent runs. Allow the sticker to dry for two hours. Warning Do not paint an unprimed decal, or the paint will peel. Do not prime an unabraded decal, or the finish will flake. Do not abrade the decal, using sandpaper with a grit lower than 220, as this may damage the sticker. ADVERTISEMENT Get Crafty Art Projects How to Prevent Stickers From Coming Off By Christina Sloane eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here. Things You'll Need • Acrylic paint • Liquid soap • Sponge or soft cloth Stickers stay on longer when applied to clean, smooth surfaces. Stickers and decals have legal and personal purposes. Windshield inspection stickers are required by law to be displayed on vehicles; bumper stickers on cars and laptops convey personal beliefs and opinions; labels on products serve to identify and describe items; and decorative wall and notebook stickers add aesthetic appeal and express personal taste. When stickers peel off, they leave a tacky, often-dirty residue, which is difficult to remove. You can help prevent stickers from peeling by adhering them on a properly prepared surface. ADVERTISEMENT Fast-track to Citizenship Unlock Your Potential with Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment. UNO Capital Step 1 Repaint surfaces that have been painted with oil-based paint. Stickers do not adhere well to surfaces with paint containing Teflon or silicon. Allow the paint to dry and cure for three weeks before attaching stickers. Step 2 Clean walls, windows, car bumpers and other hard surfaces with a sponge or soft cloth and hot water mixed with liquid soap. This will remove dirt and grease, which inhibit sticker adhesion. Rinse the surface and wait for it to dry completely before applying the sticker. If placing a sticker on a paper surface, blow away dust or brush it away with a dry, clean cloth. ADVERTISEMENT Step 3 Place your sticker on a smooth, dry surface that's free of rust, paint bumps, cracks or wrinkles. Apply the sticker in a shady area when the surface and air temperatures are between 66 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Step 4 Avoid exposing stickers to moisture or direct sunlight. ADVERTISEMENT References
