Car Magnet Design Tips and Tricks

Important Pre-Order Information

Before placing your order we suggest making sure that the part of your vehicle is metal and that a magnet will stick to the area of focus. Some vehicle manufactures will substitute aluminum for light weight doors that are dependent on hydraulic lifters. And as everyone knows - magnets will not stick to aluminum. Other possible surface area issues arise from aftermarket fiberglass replacement parts and areas repaired with bondo. If your car was a second hand purchase don't assume that the area is completely metal. Take a lightweight refrigerator magnet and test the area that you intend to apply your magnet to.

At the same time we suggest measuring the area to make sure your magnet will fit the area. Make sure the area is flat and void of any folds, creases or other body panel formations that will prevent a smooth solid contact. We've found in the past that if the magnet does not have a solid application surface airflow has the potential to lift the magnet off the car body. The result is a lost magnet when driving down the road. Magnetic strength on our magnetic products is strong but air flow is usually more forceful than most people realize.

A helpful tip for selecting the right size and shape: Print and cut a piece of paper with a similar design including text. Tape your cutout onto your car or truck and then stand back to see how it might look. Many times customers will learn that their size is too small or too big depending on their design.

Application Prep

It is important to clean the vehicle surface and back of the magnet before application. In addition a thin layer of car wax should be applied to the vehicle surface and back side of the magnet especially during the summer months. For magnets that are exposed to heaver amounts of sun and heat a heavier coat of was may be required during application. A heavier wax coating may also help prevent damage from trapped water, dirt and road chemicals.

1. Clean car
2. Wax car and back of magnet
3. Apply Magnet
4. Remove weekly. Especially before sending your vehicle through a car wash.

Application Process

Let one edge of the magnet contact the vehicle in the desired position. Then let the magnetic force do the work as it positions the sign in place from starting edge to opposite edge. If the sign is out of position, peel it off and repeat. Do not slide magnet to obtain proper position. Any dirt trapped underneath the magnet may damage the vehicles surface coating. Make sure the magnet is smooth against the vehicle with no trapped air underneath. In winter, for conformability purposes, the temperature of the magnet should be a minimum of 50°F, but the temperature of the vehicle surface matters little.

Some surfaces on your car or truck may require special attention. Surfaces that contain factory decals, pinstripes and molded body panels may cause a separation between the surface and the magnet. Even a thin separation may be all that is needed for air flow to get under the magnet and peel it off while driving down the road. We suggest checking these areas on a weekly basis for the first 90 days.

Ongoing Maintenance and Long Term Care

Always remove your car magnet before sending your vehicle through an automatic car wash. Many car washes use chemicals that may damage your car magnet. This is especially true during winter months.

For vehicles (and many external applications) remove the magnet weekly and dry the vehicle surface and the back of the sign. This keeps moisture from collecting between the car and magnet.

• StickyLife.com car magnets are not intended for applications where petrochemical contact may occur. For example: next to your car’s gas tank.
• Substrate selection, exposure angle, environmental conditions, and maintenance will affect actual performance. Continuous exposure in regions that experience maximum sunny days will result in decreased performance and may cause the magnet to stick to the car in a semi-permanent fashion.
• Remove magnet after a snowfall or rain, wipe dry and reapply. Also, remove magnets before pressure washing, especially in winter, as most car washes use de-icing chemicals that could damage the magnet face.
• If you ever experience an issue with your car magnet please feel free to contact us and let us know about it. Following these care and maintenance tips will help provide you with optimal results.