How to Apply Campervan and Van Side Stripe Graphics: Step-by-Step Guide
Side stripe graphics are one of the most visually impactful things you can do to a campervan or motorhome, but they’re longer and thinner than most vinyl decals, which means the application technique matters more than it does for smaller graphics. The most common mistakes are skipping the anchor point and rushing. Take your time on positioning before any backing paper comes off, and the rest follows naturally.
For smaller campervan decals and graphics that don’t use the anchor point method, see our campervan decals application guide.
Before you start
Lay the graphics out flat first. Side stripes arrive rolled or folded and may have a curl from shipping. Lay them out on a flat, smooth surface for a few minutes before starting. Flat vinyl is significantly easier to apply than curved or curled vinyl.
Squeegee the transfer tape face. Once the graphics are lying flat, run a card or squeegee firmly across the front face of each stripe. This bonds the vinyl to the transfer tape and prevents sections of the graphic from separating from the tape during application. This is the most common cause of a failed application.
Clean the vehicle surface thoroughly. Alcohol-based panel cleaner or a dedicated panel prep product works best. Remove any wax, polish, or ceramic coating from the area where the stripe will sit — these reduce adhesion and can cause edges to lift over time. Clean, bare paintwork gives the strongest bond.
Tools you’ll need
- Squeegee or bank card wrapped in a microfibre cloth
- Masking tape
- Scissors
- Panel cleaner or isopropyl alcohol
- Soapy water in a spray bottle – optional, for the wet section-by-section method
- Heat gun or hair dryer on low setting – optional, for edge sealing after application
Step 1: Set the anchor point
This is the most important step and the one most often skipped. Before any backing paper comes off, position the stripe on the vehicle and fix it in place with masking tape along the top edge. The masking tape holds the stripe in the correct position while you work.
Set a central anchor point in the middle of the stripe. Use a small piece of masking tape pressed firmly through the centre of the graphic onto the panel. This anchor is your reference point for the whole application. Everything works outward from here in two halves.
Take your time getting the position right at this stage. Step back from the vehicle and check that the stripe is level and sitting where you want it. Check it from both ends. A stripe that looks straight up close can be slightly angled when viewed from a distance. Correct it now, once the backing paper starts coming off, repositioning the whole stripe becomes significantly harder.
Step 2: Choose your application method
Side stripes are applied section by section rather than all at once. Two methods work well:
Dry section by section — recommended for experienced installers
Peel the backing paper away from one section at a time, starting from the central anchor point and working toward one end. Apply and firm down each section before peeling the next. No water is used. This is the faster method and produces a clean result for confident installers who trust their alignment from the anchor point.
Wet section by section — good for less confident installers or when working alone
Peel the backing paper from one section, mist that section only with a light spray of soapy water, position it and squeegee it down, then move to the next section. The soapy water gives a brief window to reposition that section before the adhesive grips. Work one section at a time; do not wet the whole stripe at once. The stripe is too long and thin to manage as a single wet application.
Both methods produce equally good results. The dry method is slightly faster. The wet method gives a little more forgiveness per section. Use whichever you’re more comfortable with.
Step 3: Apply the first half
Starting from the central anchor point, peel the backing paper away from the first section toward one end. If using the wet method, mist this section lightly before applying.
Press the vinyl onto the panel starting at the anchor point and working outward. Use a squeegee or card with firm strokes. If using the dry method, press down firmly as you go. On the wet method, use a firm up and down motion to push water out from under the vinyl toward the edges.
Peel the next section of backing paper and continue working toward the end. Keep the stripe taut as you work; if it sags, it will drift slightly off line. Take your time. Rushing is the second most common cause of a wonky stripe after skipping the anchor point.
Once you reach the end, the first half is complete.
Step 4: Apply the second half
Return to the central anchor point and repeat the same process, working toward the other end. Peel section by section, apply and firm down as you go.
Keep checking alignment as you work. The anchor point holds the centre, but a very long stripe can still drift slightly toward the ends if tension isn’t kept even. Step back periodically and check the line from a few metres away.
Step 5: Remove the transfer tape
Once both halves are fully applied and firmly pressed down, remove the transfer tape. Peel slowly at a low angle, roughly 45 degrees or less. Keep a squeegee or card to hand as you go. If any section of vinyl tries to lift with the transfer tape, stop, press it back down firmly, and continue more slowly.
Do not rush the transfer tape removal. It is the step where most of the work done in the previous steps can be undone if the tape is pulled too quickly or at too steep an angle.
Step 6: Edge sealing (optional)
Once the transfer tape is removed, run a heat gun or hair dryer on a low setting along the edges of the stripe. Keep the heat moving and work around the edges rather than the face of the vinyl. The gentle heat activates the adhesive at the edges and forms a stronger bond at the points most exposed to wind and water at motorway speeds.
This step is optional, but worth doing on side stripe graphics specifically, because the side stripe vinyl is fully exposed to airflow, road grime and weather. The few minutes it takes to run a heat gun along the edges offers meaningful peace of mind on a long motorway drive.
Aftercare
Allow the vinyl to cure for at least 48 hours before washing the vehicle. Avoid pressure washing directly at the stripe edges for the first week, because the adhesive continues to cure during this period, and high-pressure water at the edges can cause lifting before the bond is fully established.
After the curing period, the stripe is durable and washable in normal conditions. Avoid abrasive cleaning products on or near the vinyl.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a second person to apply side stripes?
It helps, but is not essential. A second person can hold the far end of the stripe while you set the anchor point, making it easier to get the position right. Working alone is manageable; take extra care at the anchor point stage and keep the stripe supported while you work along it.
The stripe drifted slightly toward one end. What happened?
Either the anchor point wasn’t fully secured before application started, or the stripe wasn’t kept taut enough during the section-by-section application. For future reference, double check the anchor point is firmly fixed and step back to check alignment from a distance before peeling any backing paper.
Can I reposition the stripe after the backing paper is off?
If you used the dry method, repositioning is very limited once the adhesive contacts the panel. On the wet section-by-section method, each section has a brief window for repositioning before the adhesive grips. This is the main advantage of the wet method: slightly more forgiveness per section.
How do I remove side stripe graphics?
Lift one corner slowly with a fingernail or plastic trim tool, then peel at a low angle. Gentle heat from a hair dryer softens the adhesive and makes removal easier. Any residue left after removal comes off with an adhesive remover such as Sticky Stuff Remover. There is no risk to sound paintwork during removal.
Can I apply side stripes in cold weather?
Keep above 10°C if possible. Cold vinyl is less pliable, and the adhesive is less effective in very cold conditions. A heated garage or working in the middle of the day on a mild day makes application easier and produces a better long-term bond.
See the full range of PolyWard campervan and van side stripe graphics — available in a range of designs, colours, and sizes for campervans, motorhomes, and vans.