When to put the name on

[PaulinVictoria]

So, I am having the boat hauled later this week for a few bits and pieces, amongst which are having the topsides cleaned right back, waxed and polished, and having nice vinyls made up for the name, hailing port, registration etc.
Now the guy doing the cleaning/waxing says to apply the vinyl before he waxes and polishes, but after he's cleaned it.
The person doing the vinyl says to do the cleaning, waxing and polishing before applying the stickers.
Who's right? Does it matter? Does anyone care?

[WesAllen]

Whenever I ever had anything to do with putting decals on (automotive) it was ALWAYS clean, dewax, put on decal then wax. We also used a soapy solution under the decal and then used a rubber putty knife to squeeze soap and air out. But that was some time ago.

[tip]

I would think you would want to put it on only after you've stripped all contaminants from the gelcoat (i.e. cleaning). But that's just me!

[dnf777]

What sayeth the decal manufacturer?
They probably know best.

[PaulinVictoria]

Therein layeth the issue. Person making up the vinyls (and therefore one would assume knowledgeable about such things) reckons put them onto as shiny a surface as you can get, waxed if necessary (and avoid waxing over the top as the polisher erodes the vinyl). Person cleaning the boats (and therefore one would assume knowledgeable about such things) reckons put them onto as clean a surface as you can get, not waxed.
Both make sense (smooth surface - better adhesion, no wax - better adhesion). I'm inclined to listen to the vinyl person, then if it buggers right up, I can get them to make another set gratis, plus I can get them to fit them

[southshoreS24]

the decals will not adhere to the the waxed surface all that well. clean and polish then dewax and clean thoroughly. look in to a product called rapid tac II.

Rapid Tac-Rapid Tac II

[jrd22]

I doubt that it makes any difference. Go with what the sign guy says.

[overbored]

The hull should be cleaned and waxed with the power buffer first. then the vinyl guy will use a wax remover only in the area of the vinyl. after the vinyl has set for a day or two, hand wax the area and over the vinyl. the new type of vinyl does not need to be applied with soap because the new adhesive is applied to the back of the vinyl with tiny channels which allows the air to escape before the entire surface is stuck down.

[BubbleheadMd]

The wax is an albative, protective covering that the sun and water erode over time. If you put the decals over wax, they may not adhere properly and may peel off over time.

I'm not sure why the decal guy is saying to put them on a waxed surface, he may have been in a hurry and mis-spoke. I'm with the others, put the decals on a clean, un-waxed surface, and then have your wax guy avoid running his buffer over the decals. That area should be hand-polished.

[PaulinVictoria]

So the consensus seems to be apply to a clean unwaxed surface. I'll go with that, if it goes horribly wrong, I'm blaming you lot