Lay the guitar on its back and clean the surface really well with soft cotton cloth dampened with water and then dry with an old T shirt. I apply a tad bit of polish next (why?) cuz... Then I mist the area where the pick guard will go with Windex but water will work as well. Then I peel away about 1/3 of the backing from the pick guard WITHOUT touching the adhesive or you will leave fingerprints. I hold the backing with two fingers and pinch the top pf the pick guard with my thumb and index finger of my right hand. Next I lay down the point end (closest to the fingerboard extension) first while holding the pick guard at about a 45* angle and begin wiping the pic guard from side to side with the old T shirt (using my left hand), working the water side to side. Apply about 1/4" - 1/2" of pic guard at a time while continually wiping (squeegeeing) the water / Windex out. Work towards the bridge until it is all down then continue to work the air bubbles out. If you have a few that are stubborn warm the pic guard with a hair dryer on low heat ,BUT DON'T USE A HEAT GUN!!! Continue rubbing the warmed pic guard and you should be able to get most of the air pockets out. Be careful, I have scorched the finish a few times and it is an ugly repair. If you get any dust or lint under it you are hosed! Make sure to blow the area with your breath immediately before you mist it. Blow the dust off of BOTH sides of the pick guard BEFORE peeling the backing away. That is my process. Hope it works for you.