The best method I've found for applying decals is as follows:
1- Get a clean pail of warm water.
2- Add one drop of liquid dish soap.
3- Peel the backing off the decal.
4- Submerge the decal in the pail of water.
5- Place the wetted decal on the surface where you wish it to be.
6- Use a rubber squeegy and soft cloth to squeegy the water out from under the decal.
7- Squeegy gently from the center of the decal outwards to remove water and air bubbles.

The drop of soap in the water breaks the surface tension of the water, allows you to slide the decal around to place it properly and helps keep out air bubbles. Body shops use this method to apply large decals on cars and trucks.

Jeff

 

When I used to put the decals on a stock car I worked on we used glass cleaner. Just sprayed the side of the car and place the sticker on. You could still slide the decal around.

 

I use a 50/50 mix of water and rubbing alchohol, dip the sticker with the backing taken off, slide it in place, and smooth out the bubbles with an old credit card.

 

I have used soap/mix and glass cleaner both work fine, just wanted to add that if you do happen to get a few air bubble's take a needle and poke the bubble rub it down and its gone.

C-YA

TAZ

 

The credit card is perfect for smoothing the decals out by pushing all of the excess air and water from underneath the decals. This really helps with adhesion!

In my experience, be sure to put some type of thin, soft cotton cloth over the credit card as the end can tear wet decals.