How to Make Car Decal with Cricut Explore Air 2 | 10 DIY Steps

If you want to add a personal touch to your car, creating a custom decal with your Cricut Explore Air 2 machine is a fun and easy way. 

In this article, we’ll guide you through making a car decal with your Cricut Explore Air 2 machine, from gathering materials to applying and caring for the finished product. 

With the right materials and creativity, you can make a decal that showcases your personality, interests, or business. However, making a car decal may seem daunting if you’re new to using a Cricut machine. 

These are the steps that we are going to discuss:

• Gather materials needed to create a car decal
• Set up and familiarize yourself with your Cricut Explore Air 2 machine
• Prepare your design for the car decal
• Cut the vinyl for the car decal
• Weed the excess vinyl
• Transfer the design to the car
• Apply the car decal to the car
• Secure the car decal to the car
• Trim any excess vinyl
• Care and maintenance for the car decal

How to Make Car Decal with Cricut Explore Air 2

Gathering Materials for Your Car Decal

Before you begin making your car decal, you will need to gather the necessary materials. 

First and foremost, you will need:

• A Cricut Explore Air 2 machine.
• Vinyl. 
• Transfer tape.
• A weeding tool.
• A scraper.
• Scissors.

You may also want to have a ruler or measuring tape on hand to ensure your car’s design is the correct size. Once you have your materials, you can begin setting up your Cricut machine and preparing your design.

Setting up Your Cricut Explore Air 2 Machine

Before cutting your vinyl, setting up and familiarizing yourself with your Cricut Explore Air 2 machine is important. Start by plugging in the machine and turning it on. 

Then, connect the machine to your computer or mobile device using Bluetooth or a USB cable. Next, download the Cricut Design Space software for free on the Cricut website. 

This software allows you to create and customize your design and control the settings on your Cricut machine.

Preparing Your Design for the Car Decal

Once you have set up your Cricut machine, you can begin preparing your design for the car decal. 

You can create your design using the Design Space software, or you can choose from various pre-made designs available for purchase. 

When designing your decal, it’s important to keep in mind the size and shape of your car and any regulations in your area regarding the placement of decals on vehicles.

Cutting the Vinyl for the Car Decal

After you have created your design, you can begin cutting the vinyl for the car decal. 

To do this, place the vinyl onto the cutting mat, ensuring it is smooth and free of any bubbles or wrinkles. 

Then, load the cutting mat into your Cricut machine and select the appropriate settings for the type of vinyl you use.

Once the machine has finished cutting your design, remove the vinyl from the cutting mat and begin weeding the excess vinyl.

Weeding the Excess Vinyl

Weeding is removing the negative space from your design, leaving only the parts you want to transfer to your car. 

This process can be time-consuming, especially if your design has intricate details. 

However, it’s important to take your time and be patient to ensure you don’t accidentally remove any parts of your design you want to keep.

Applying the Car Decal to the Car

Once your vinyl design is securely attached to the transfer tape, you can apply it to the car. 

Start by cleaning the area where you want to place the decal with a soft cloth to remove dirt or debris. 

Then, carefully position the decal on the car, ensuring it is centered and level. Once the decal is in place, press it firmly onto the car’s surface with a scraper.

Transferring the Design to the Car

After weeding your design, you can transfer it to the car. 

To do this, apply transfer tape to the top of your vinyl design to smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles. 

Then, carefully remove the backing from the vinyl, ensuring the design sticks to the transfer tape. 

Next, place the design onto the surface of your car and use a scraper to smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles.

Securing the Car Decal to the Car

To ensure your car decal stays in place, you may want to apply heat to it using a heat gun or hair dryer. 

This will help activate the adhesive on the back of the vinyl and create a stronger bond with the car’s surface. 

After applying heat, use your scraper to press the decal firmly onto the car once more.

Trimming any Excess Vinyl

Finally, once your car decal is securely attached to the car, you can trim any excess vinyl using a pair of scissors or a utility knife. Be careful not to cut into the design, which can damage your decal.

Care and Maintenance for the Car Decal

To ensure that your car decal lasts as long as possible, it’s important to take care of it properly. 

Avoid washing your car for at least 24 hours after applying the decal to give it time to adhere to the surface fully. When you wash your car, use mild soap and avoid high-pressure water or harsh scrub brushes, as these can damage the decal. 

You should also avoid parking your car in direct sunlight for extended periods, which can cause the vinyl to fade or peel. 

My Advice

By following these steps and taking proper care of your car decal, you can create a personalized and long-lasting design that adds a touch of style to your vehicle. 

Whether you choose a simple monogram or a colorful graphic, your Cricut Explore Air 2 machine can help you bring your design to life and make your car stand out on the road.

In addition, it’s important to regularly inspect your car decal for any signs of damage or wear. You may need to remove and replace the decal if you notice any cracks, peeling, or fading. 

To do this, use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive and carefully peel off the decal. Then, clean the area with soap and water and apply a new decal as needed.