INSTALL GUIDES
Everything you need to know for the perfect install
Did your SKDA graphics just arrive but you're not sure how to install them?
Our in-house team have created a video tutorial to help you achieve the perfect install, from prep to aftercare. We've also included written instructions with a few helpful tips for all of our products including jersey prints & seat covers, if that's more your style. Explore our SKDA install guide below.
Click the arrow to read our helpful written guides for all SKDA products
Graphics Installation
Before Installation
01. Firstly, you'll need to prepare the plastics / surfaces to allow your graphics to adhere properly. Remove any old graphics / stickers, and ensure they're as clean as possible.
All surfaces, especially brand new plastics (which come out of the factory with a wax coat), need to be wiped down & cleaned using an appropriate solvent before new graphics are applied. We recommend something alike Isotropy Alcohol, Methylated Spirits, Brake Cleaner, or a Wax & Grease Remover.
02. Wipe the plastics down with the solvent thoroughly, and allow them to air dry before installation.
Installation
Take your time when installing your new graphics, as rushing the process will increase the likelihood of issues or mistakes.
There are a few different graphic installation methods, which are commonly used, and all are okay if they reach your desired outcome
We recommend against using water or soap on the graphics to ease application, as this is not good for the adhesive, and will likely decrease the durability and life of your new kit.
01. As all our graphics are die cut, you can first lay each piece onto the appropriate plastic, and have a look at how it all lines up, before you actually apply it. If you find any of the pieces do not seem to line up / fit correctly, and you suspect we may have made a mistake and sent you an incorrect shape, please contact us. We pride ourselves on our world class customer service, and will ensure to get your order corrected and offer any assistance required.
02. You can then tear off a small section of the backing paper first, and stick it down, whilst ensuring the full decal is still aligned on the plastic as desired. Press it down firmly on the exposed section, and then proceed to remove more of the backing paper, and repeat the process across the graphic.
03. Heat is your best friend when applying our graphics - It is vital to have a hair dryer or heat gun on hand when installing your graphics. The material we use becomes extremely soft and pliable when warmed up, which can make installing around sharp edges or curves, and stretching the graphic into place much easier. Ensure you do not overheat the graphic, as it may then become too soft and harder to work with - Take it a little at a time to find your desired heat level.
04. Once your whole kit has been applied and installed as desired, it is important to then go over the whole kit, warming it up with your hair dryer / heat gun and pressing down on any lifting edges.
This will activate the glue, and help it adhere strongly to its new surface. You need to repeat this once or twice a day for the few days following install, as you may find some corners / edges re-lift as they cool down.
This will train the graphic, so it then stays down after a few repetitions.
Aftercare
You may notice after your first ride or two, even after a regular water wash, there is some brown colored marks on the high rub areas of your kit, usually the tank shrouds.
We have found the best way to get rid of these brown marks, is to put some acetone liquid on a clean rag, and then rub the affected areas with some pressure. This usually removes the brown marks.
Do not ride or wash your bike for 3-4 days following installation. This will give the glue optimum opportunity to dry to its new surface, and any lifting edges should be strongly down after repeated heating.
If you find your graphics wear or deteriorate in an unexpected manor, please contact us. We will gladly assess the situation with you, and help come to a solution.
Identical Replacement Reprints are now available via our Online Store.
The graphics will be immediately reprinted, and shipped out to you, exactly as they were the first time. NO DESIGN CHANGES can be made during reprinting, as the reason they are alot cheaper then normal priced graphics, is there is no design work involved for our team at all, we simply grab the print ready file from your last order, and print it again. Any design changes will incur design time, therefore need to be charged at our standard pricing rates. If you want design changes, place a new order via our store or by contacting us.
The print and material quality of the reprinted graphics is identical to that of your original order also - as stated, they are simply reprinted.
Seat Cover Installation
Before Installation
01. Remove old seat cover, by removing all staples
Installation
01. Pull the front end of new seat cover over the front end of the now bare seat.
02. Do the same for the rear of the seat; ensuring logo badge is centred and straight. Using a staple gun, punch a few staples underneath front & back of the seat cover, ensuring the cover is pulled tightly while doing so.
03. Pull the left & right sides down tight and staple them down, again ensuring the seat cover is sitting tight to the seat. Continue around the underneath edge of the seat, punching staples at consecutive 3-5cm intervals.
04. Check to ensure the seat cover is positioned as desired, before returning to add another run of staples, at much tighter intervals. Once complete, staples should be installed almost end to end, to ensure a strong hold. Trim any excess material as desired.
For a more extensive install explanation, there are many third-party walk through tutorials available online.
Jersey Print Installation
Before Installation
01. Ensure your jerseys are clean and dry before installing the prints. Even with brand new jerseys, it is important to first wash them before putting prints on. Brand new jerseys often bleed a lot of excess ink during the first wash, which can then damage your new prints, if not washed out before install.
Installation
01. Lay your jersey flat. It can help to put a piece of cardboard inside the jersey to help hold it flat during install.
02. With the jersey print laid on a bench facing down, peel back and remove the reverse translucent layer from the jersey print, ensuring the print itself stays stuck to the front clear transfer layer. Make this process easier, by initially peeling it back slowly, to get a good hold of the corner, and then pulling in short sharp intervals until completely removed.
03. Position the jersey print on the jersey as desired. The clear transfer layer is somewhat sticky, to help the print stay in place during heating - However it is not extremely sticky, so you can easily peel the print back and reposition it before heating, if you find your first placement is not as desired.
04. Heat the print with a heat press or household iron, at 130-150C degrees (265-300F), for around 20 seconds, with Medium pressure (3-4 bar). Try and heat it consistently.
05. Whilst the print is still warm, smoothly and slowly peel off the clear transfer layer, to expose the print, which will now be stuck to the jersey. If you find the print is not yet stuck to the jersey, lay the transfer back down and again reheat further.
06. Once the clear transfer layer is completely removed, lay some baking paper over the print, and again heat it for another 10-15 seconds. This will ensure the print stays down strong.
NOTE: Applying heat from an iron, directly to a jersey or to the print, may cause the print and jersey to melt. That is why you must place a layer in between, such as baking paper
After Installation
If you find that your jersey print begins lifting or peeling up at any point, simply re-cover the print with baking paper, and reheat/press it as listed above. The material becomes sticky when exposed to high heat, so even after months or washing and riding, reheating it will allow it to re-stick to the jersey as needed.
You may also find your jersey print becomes crinkled during washing - You can fix this by also re-heating with baking paper.
Do not dry clean jersey with prints applied. Machine wash cold/warm only (not hot), with only mild detergents. Turn inside out to wash also, to avoid zippers/buttons from other garments scratching the print. Hang to dry, do not tumble dry.
If you are unsure about any part of the installation process, we recommend sourcing further guidance from one of the many third-party tutorial videos online.
Did your SKDA graphics just arrive but you're not sure how to install them?
Our in-house team have created a video tutorial to help you achieve the perfect install, from prep to aftercare. We've also included written instructions with a few helpful tips, if that's more your style. Explore our SKDA install guide.
- Guide
- Graphics Installation
- Seat Cover Installation
- Jersey Print Installation
Use the tabs above to read through our helpful written guides for all SKDA products
Before Installation
01. Firstly, you'll need to prepare the plastics / surfaces to allow your graphics to adhere properly. Remove any old graphics / stickers, and ensure they're as clean as possible.
All surfaces, especially brand new plastics (which come out of the factory with a wax coat), need to be wiped down & cleaned using an appropriate solvent before new graphics are applied. We recommend something alike Isotropy Alcohol, Methylated Spirits, Brake Cleaner, or a Wax & Grease Remover.
02. Wipe the plastics down with the solvent thoroughly, and allow them to air dry before installation.
Installation
Take your time when installing your new graphics, as rushing the process will increase the likelihood of issues or mistakes.
There are a few different graphic installation methods, which are commonly used, and all are okay if they reach your desired outcome
We recommend against using water or soap on the graphics to ease application, as this is not good for the adhesive, and will likely decrease the durability and life of your new kit.
01. As all our graphics are die cut, you can first lay each piece onto the appropriate plastic, and have a look at how it all lines up, before you actually apply it. If you find any of the pieces do not seem to line up / fit correctly, and you suspect we may have made a mistake and sent you an incorrect shape, please contact us. We pride ourselves on our world class customer service, and will ensure to get your order corrected and offer any assistance required.
02. You can then tear off a small section of the backing paper first, and stick it down, whilst ensuring the full decal is still aligned on the plastic as desired. Press it down firmly on the exposed section, and then proceed to remove more of the backing paper, and repeat the process across the graphic.
03. Heat is your best friend when applying our graphics - It is vital to have a hair dryer or heat gun on hand when installing your graphics. The material we use becomes extremely soft and pliable when warmed up, which can make installing around sharp edges or curves, and stretching the graphic into place much easier. Ensure you do not overheat the graphic, as it may then become too soft and harder to work with - Take it a little at a time to find your desired heat level.
04. Once your whole kit has been applied and installed as desired, it is important to then go over the whole kit, warming it up with your hair dryer / heat gun and pressing down on any lifting edges.
This will activate the glue, and help it adhere strongly to its new surface. You need to repeat this once or twice a day for the few days following install, as you may find some corners / edges re-lift as they cool down.
This will train the graphic, so it then stays down after a few repetitions.
Aftercare
You may notice after your first ride or two, even after a regular water wash, there is some brown colored marks on the high rub areas of your kit, usually the tank shrouds.
We have found the best way to get rid of these brown marks, is to put some acetone liquid on a clean rag, and then rub the affected areas with some pressure. This usually removes the brown marks.
Do not ride or wash your bike for 3-4 days following installation. This will give the glue optimum opportunity to dry to its new surface, and any lifting edges should be strongly down after repeated heating.
If you find your graphics wear or deteriorate in an unexpected manor, please contact us. We will gladly assess the situation with you, and help come to a solution.
Identical Replacement Reprints are now available via our Online Store.
The graphics will be immediately reprinted, and shipped out to you, exactly as they were the first time. NO DESIGN CHANGES can be made during reprinting, as the reason they are alot cheaper then normal priced graphics, is there is no design work involved for our team at all, we simply grab the print ready file from your last order, and print it again. Any design changes will incur design time, therefore need to be charged at our standard pricing rates. If you want design changes, place a new order via our store or by contacting us.
The print and material quality of the reprinted graphics is identical to that of your original order also - as stated, they are simply reprinted.
Before Installation
01. Remove old seat cover, by removing all staples
Installation
01. Pull the front end of new seat cover over the front end of the now bare seat.
02. Do the same for the rear of the seat; ensuring logo badge is centred and straight. Using a staple gun, punch a few staples underneath front & back of the seat cover, ensuring the cover is pulled tightly while doing so.
03. Pull the left & right sides down tight and staple them down, again ensuring the seat cover is sitting tight to the seat. Continue around the underneath edge of the seat, punching staples at consecutive 3-5cm intervals.
04. Check to ensure the seat cover is positioned as desired, before returning to add another run of staples, at much tighter intervals. Once complete, staples should be installed almost end to end, to ensure a strong hold. Trim any excess material as desired.
For a more extensive install explanation, there are many third-party walk through tutorials available online.
Before Installation
01. Ensure your jerseys are clean and dry before installing the prints. Even with brand new jerseys, it is important to first wash them before putting prints on. Brand new jerseys often bleed a lot of excess ink during the first wash, which can then damage your new prints, if not washed out before install.
Installation
01. Lay your jersey flat. It can help to put a piece of cardboard inside the jersey to help hold it flat during install.
02. With the jersey print laid on a bench facing down, peel back and remove the reverse translucent layer from the jersey print, ensuring the print itself stays stuck to the front clear transfer layer. Make this process easier, by initially peeling it back slowly, to get a good hold of the corner, and then pulling in short sharp intervals until completely removed.
03. Position the jersey print on the jersey as desired. The clear transfer layer is somewhat sticky, to help the print stay in place during heating - However it is not extremely sticky, so you can easily peel the print back and reposition it before heating, if you find your first placement is not as desired.
04. Heat the print with a heat press or household iron, at 130-150C degrees (265-300F), for around 20 seconds, with Medium pressure (3-4 bar). Try and heat it consistently.
05. Whilst the print is still warm, smoothly and slowly peel off the clear transfer layer, to expose the print, which will now be stuck to the jersey. If you find the print is not yet stuck to the jersey, lay the transfer back down and again reheat further.
06. Once the clear transfer layer is completely removed, lay some baking paper over the print, and again heat it for another 10-15 seconds. This will ensure the print stays down strong.
NOTE: Applying heat from an iron, directly to a jersey or to the print, may cause the print and jersey to melt. That is why you must place a layer in between, such as baking paper
After Installation
If you find that your jersey print begins lifting or peeling up at any point, simply re-cover the print with baking paper, and reheat/press it as listed above. The material becomes sticky when exposed to high heat, so even after months or washing and riding, reheating it will allow it to re-stick to the jersey as needed.
You may also find your jersey print becomes crinkled during washing - You can fix this by also re-heating with baking paper.
Do not dry clean jersey with prints applied. Machine wash cold/warm only (not hot), with only mild detergents. Turn inside out to wash also, to avoid zippers/buttons from other garments scratching the print. Hang to dry, do not tumble dry.
If you are unsure about any part of the installation process, we recommend sourcing further guidance from one of the many third-party tutorial videos online.
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Help Centre
INSTALL GUIDES
Everything you need to know for the perfect install
Did your SKDA graphics just arrive but you're not sure how to install them?
Our in-house team have created a video tutorial to help you achieve the perfect install, from prep to aftercare. We've also included written instructions with a few helpful tips, if that's more your style. Explore our SKDA install guide.
- Guide
- Graphics Installation
- Seat Cover Installation
- Jersey Print Installation
Use the tabs above to read through our helpful written guides for all SKDA products
Before Installation
01. Firstly, you'll need to prepare the plastics / surfaces to allow your graphics to adhere properly. Remove any old graphics / stickers, and ensure they're as clean as possible.
All surfaces, especially brand new plastics (which come out of the factory with a wax coat), need to be wiped down & cleaned using an appropriate solvent before new graphics are applied. We recommend something alike Isotropy Alcohol, Methylated Spirits, Brake Cleaner, or a Wax & Grease Remover.
02. Wipe the plastics down with the solvent thoroughly, and allow them to air dry before installation.
Installation
Take your time when installing your new graphics, as rushing the process will increase the likelihood of issues or mistakes.
There are a few different graphic installation methods, which are commonly used, and all are okay if they reach your desired outcome
We recommend against using water or soap on the graphics to ease application, as this is not good for the adhesive, and will likely decrease the durability and life of your new kit.
01. As all our graphics are die cut, you can first lay each piece onto the appropriate plastic, and have a look at how it all lines up, before you actually apply it. If you find any of the pieces do not seem to line up / fit correctly, and you suspect we may have made a mistake and sent you an incorrect shape, please contact us. We pride ourselves on our world class customer service, and will ensure to get your order corrected and offer any assistance required.
02. You can then tear off a small section of the backing paper first, and stick it down, whilst ensuring the full decal is still aligned on the plastic as desired. Press it down firmly on the exposed section, and then proceed to remove more of the backing paper, and repeat the process across the graphic.
03. Heat is your best friend when applying our graphics - It is vital to have a hair dryer or heat gun on hand when installing your graphics. The material we use becomes extremely soft and pliable when warmed up, which can make installing around sharp edges or curves, and stretching the graphic into place much easier. Ensure you do not overheat the graphic, as it may then become too soft and harder to work with - Take it a little at a time to find your desired heat level.
04. Once your whole kit has been applied and installed as desired, it is important to then go over the whole kit, warming it up with your hair dryer / heat gun and pressing down on any lifting edges.
This will activate the glue, and help it adhere strongly to its new surface. You need to repeat this once or twice a day for the few days following install, as you may find some corners / edges re-lift as they cool down.
This will train the graphic, so it then stays down after a few repetitions.
Aftercare
You may notice after your first ride or two, even after a regular water wash, there is some brown colored marks on the high rub areas of your kit, usually the tank shrouds.
We have found the best way to get rid of these brown marks, is to put some acetone liquid on a clean rag, and then rub the affected areas with some pressure. This usually removes the brown marks.
Do not ride or wash your bike for 3-4 days following installation. This will give the glue optimum opportunity to dry to its new surface, and any lifting edges should be strongly down after repeated heating.
If you find your graphics wear or deteriorate in an unexpected manor, please contact us. We will gladly assess the situation with you, and help come to a solution.
Identical Replacement Reprints are now available via our Online Store.
The graphics will be immediately reprinted, and shipped out to you, exactly as they were the first time. NO DESIGN CHANGES can be made during reprinting, as the reason they are alot cheaper then normal priced graphics, is there is no design work involved for our team at all, we simply grab the print ready file from your last order, and print it again. Any design changes will incur design time, therefore need to be charged at our standard pricing rates. If you want design changes, place a new order via our store or by contacting us.
The print and material quality of the reprinted graphics is identical to that of your original order also - as stated, they are simply reprinted.
Before Installation
01. Remove old seat cover, by removing all staples
Installation
01. Pull the front end of new seat cover over the front end of the now bare seat.
02. Do the same for the rear of the seat; ensuring logo badge is centred and straight. Using a staple gun, punch a few staples underneath front & back of the seat cover, ensuring the cover is pulled tightly while doing so.
03. Pull the left & right sides down tight and staple them down, again ensuring the seat cover is sitting tight to the seat. Continue around the underneath edge of the seat, punching staples at consecutive 3-5cm intervals.
04. Check to ensure the seat cover is positioned as desired, before returning to add another run of staples, at much tighter intervals. Once complete, staples should be installed almost end to end, to ensure a strong hold. Trim any excess material as desired.
For a more extensive install explanation, there are many third-party walk through tutorials available online.
Before Installation
01. Ensure your jerseys are clean and dry before installing the prints. Even with brand new jerseys, it is important to first wash them before putting prints on. Brand new jerseys often bleed a lot of excess ink during the first wash, which can then damage your new prints, if not washed out before install.
Installation
01. Lay your jersey flat. It can help to put a piece of cardboard inside the jersey to help hold it flat during install.
02. With the jersey print laid on a bench facing down, peel back and remove the reverse translucent layer from the jersey print, ensuring the print itself stays stuck to the front clear transfer layer. Make this process easier, by initially peeling it back slowly, to get a good hold of the corner, and then pulling in short sharp intervals until completely removed.
03. Position the jersey print on the jersey as desired. The clear transfer layer is somewhat sticky, to help the print stay in place during heating - However it is not extremely sticky, so you can easily peel the print back and reposition it before heating, if you find your first placement is not as desired.
04. Heat the print with a heat press or household iron, at 130-150C degrees (265-300F), for around 20 seconds, with Medium pressure (3-4 bar). Try and heat it consistently.
05. Whilst the print is still warm, smoothly and slowly peel off the clear transfer layer, to expose the print, which will now be stuck to the jersey. If you find the print is not yet stuck to the jersey, lay the transfer back down and again reheat further.
06. Once the clear transfer layer is completely removed, lay some baking paper over the print, and again heat it for another 10-15 seconds. This will ensure the print stays down strong.
NOTE: Applying heat from an iron, directly to a jersey or to the print, may cause the print and jersey to melt. That is why you must place a layer in between, such as baking paper
After Installation
If you find that your jersey print begins lifting or peeling up at any point, simply re-cover the print with baking paper, and reheat/press it as listed above. The material becomes sticky when exposed to high heat, so even after months or washing and riding, reheating it will allow it to re-stick to the jersey as needed.
You may also find your jersey print becomes crinkled during washing - You can fix this by also re-heating with baking paper.
Do not dry clean jersey with prints applied. Machine wash cold/warm only (not hot), with only mild detergents. Turn inside out to wash also, to avoid zippers/buttons from other garments scratching the print. Hang to dry, do not tumble dry.
If you are unsure about any part of the installation process, we recommend sourcing further guidance from one of the many third-party tutorial videos online.
