Boot Stripe Decal Kit Install Guide - MINI F54

Clean Boot Surface

1. Let’s start by giving your MINI’s booty a thorough cleaning in preparation for the decals. A clay bar treatment would be perfect at this time, but we understand this process is not for everyone. Once the surface is dry, wipe down the area again with a lint-free, soft cloth making sure there are no swirls or debris left behind. Any imperfections left on the surface could potentially transfer through the vinyl once the decals are applied.

Prepare the Stripe Layout

1. Before we begin slapping on the decals, we’ll need to estimate where they'll lay on the back of your MINI. Set the decals down on your work surface and trim them out within approx 1/8" around the perimeter of vinyl as shown.

2. Set them against the vehicle's surface to get an idea of how they'll line up. Reference the images below for precise placement.

3. You may want to temporarily tape the decals into place so you can step back to visually inspect their alignment. Once you’re pleased with how it’s looking, remove the decals and set them aside.

Apply the Boot Stripe Decals

1. Have your decal application spray handy and ensure that the boot surface is still clean. Spray the area to be applied with an even coat of the decal solution.

2. Take the top half of the boot decal and completely peel the paper backing off so that the sticky side is exposed. Do your best not to touch the vinyl and leave any fingerprints on it that could affect the adhesion, and whatever you do.. don't drop it on the ground! Spray an even coat of the decal solution to both sides of the decal. It doesn’t need to be completely soaked… just enough for you to be able to reposition the decal if you don’t set it down perfectly straight on the first try.

3. Carefully set the decal down onto the boot. The decal solution should allow you to pull up and reposition the vinyl if necessary and you may even be able to slide it around a bit. Once you’re pleased with its positioning, start from the middle and gently squeegee the decal application solution out from under the vinyl. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean up any excess solution while you work the decal down. Use the hard plastic edge of the squeegee on the transfer paper, but once you peel the transfer paper off, to avoid any scratching of the vinyl only use the microfiber edge.

4. After having thoroughly squeegeed over the upper section of the decal a couple times, apply the bottom half in the same manner. Clean, spray, peel, apply, and squeegee.

5. With one side applied, move over to the other side and complete the same process. This will allow the solution to evaporate a little bit and assist with adhesion before peeling the transfer paper off.

6. Ok.. you’ve fully squeegeed both sides down. Starting at one corner of the first decal you applied, gently peel the transfer paper back upon itself to facilitate separation of the vinyl from the paper. If the decal wants to come up with the paper, use the microfiber side of the squeegee to press it back down again. Don’t worry too much about any air bubbles or creases at this time. You can address those once the transfer paper is completely removed.

7. Once you have the transfer paper completely removed, inspect the decal for any creases or solution bubbles. In all likelihood you’re probably going to have bubbles to some extent that will need attention. Use the microfiber side of the squeegee to work the bubbles to the edge of the decal and then soak up the solution with the soft, lint-free cloth.

8. For pesky bubbles that don’t want to slide to the edge, try to combine them by pushing them toward one another and then piercing the vinyl with your x-acto knife. You should then be able to squeegee the solution out through this tiny hole. Any minor bubbles or surface imperfections that you can’t seem to eliminate should disappear over the next couple of weeks as the solution evaporates and the vinyl decal shrinks a wee bit. Leaving the car exposed in the sun will help speed up this process.