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Union Jack Tail Light Decals Install Guide - MINI R53

THANK YOU for purchasing the MINI R53 Union Jack Tail Light Decals from CravenSpeed. This product is made from the highest grade materials, and is guaranteed to be free from defects.

You can buy our CravenSpeed Union Jack Tail Light Decals for MINI R53 here

Parts Included:

  • 1 Set R53 Union Jack Tail Light Decals

Tools Required:

  • Denatured Alcohol (may sub Isopropyl)
  • Soft Lint-Free Cloth
  • Squeegee
  • Painters Tape
  • Utility Spray Bottle
  • H2O
  • Dish Soap
  • X-acto Knife or Scissors

NOTE: Installing vinyl decals may seem like an intimidating task, but we have developed this instructional guide to make the process much easier than it sounds. In the unlikely event your decal application goes awry, we offer one-time $5 mulligan kit on each purchase made directly through the CravenSpeed.com website. Just contact support@cravenspeed.com for help.

Procedure

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Clean Tail Light Surface and Surrounding Area

    1. Let’s start by giving your MINI tail lights a thorough cleaning in preparation for the decals. Once the surface is dry, wipe down the area again with some denatured alcohol applied to a soft cloth. (Isopropyl alcohol is an acceptable substitute)

    1. Take a utility spray bottle, fill it with water and add a few small drops of dish soap. Shake the bottle and thoroughly mix up your solution.

Prepare the Tail Light Decals

    1. If the decals have not been trimmed already, lay them face up on a flat work surface and trim them down to approx .250" (¼") around the perimeter of the decal with your x-acto knife or scissors.

    1. Bring the correct side decal over to your tail light and set it against the lens to check fitment. The ¼" paper border you trimmed around the decal should allow you to center it fairly accurately onto the tail light. Temporarily tape the decal into place and step back to visually inspect the fitment.

Apply the Tail Light Decals

    1. Due to the curved surface of your MINIs tail lights, we have found that cutting the decal between the vinyl lines helps it to conform to the lens surface much easier. Using scissors, cut in approx 1" - 1.5".

      1. Have your soap/water solution bottle and X-acto knife within reach. Ensure that the lens surface is still clean and carefully peel the paper backing completely off to expose the adhesive side of the decal. If parts of the decal want to remain on the backing, use your x-acto knife to carefully lift the edges so they remain stuck to the transfer paper.

      1. Take your utility bottle and spray an even coat of your soap/water solution to both sides of the decal. It doesn’t need to be completely soaked… it just needs enough for you to be able to readjust the decal if you don’t set it down perfectly straight on the first try. Spray some of the soap/water solution onto the lens of your MINIs tail light as well.

      1. Set the decal onto the tail light and do your best to properly align it on the first try. If the positioning is not optimal, pull it up and try again as the soap/water solution should allow you to do so.

      1. Using your fingers, press down on the wetted decal and arrange it on the tail light lens taking care to eliminate any wrinkles and air bubbles.

      1. If you’re pleased with its positioning, start from the middle and gently squeegee the soap/water solution out from under the decal. Use the soft, lint-free cloth to clean up any excess solution while you work the decal down.

      1. Once you’ve fully squeegeed the decal down, move on to the other side and allow this one to set up and the solution to evaporate a bit. Having completed the same steps on the opposite side of your MINI, come back to the first one and gently peel the transfer paper off of the tail light at an extreme angle to facilitate separation of the vinyl from the paper. If it does begin to pull up with the paper.. don’t be too concerned. Apply the microfiber side of the squeegee directly onto the decal and press it back down. Do not use the plastic edge of the squeegee directly on the vinyl as you'll risk scratching it.

      1. After you have the transfer paper completely removed, inspect the decal for any creases or solution bubbles. 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.

      NOTE: 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 continues to evaporate and the vinyl decal shrinks a wee bit. Leaving the car exposed in the sun will help speed up this process.

      Congratulations… your install is complete! Stand back and admire your handiwork!

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