How to Fix Edge Peeling Vinyl Graphics

This story explains how to perform vinyl film surgery to fix edge peeling vinyl graphics.

By Jim Hingst @hingst_jim

Once a vinyl graphic starts peeling, forget about trying to reapply any edges, which have already lifted.  The adhesive on these peeled edges has most likely been contaminated with dirt.

Edge lifting isn’t the end of world, though.  In many cases, you don’t   need to go through the time and expense of removing the entire applied graphic and starting from scratch.  Quite often all that is needed is minor surgery and a little tender loving care.

Here’s what I mean.  Using an Xacto® with a #11 blade or a stainless steel Olfa graphics knife, cut the applied vinyl, at a place where it has not yet lifted but adjoining the edge of the lifting material. This is precision work requiring a gentle touch and a sharp blade.  If your blade is old and dull, replace it with a brand new one.  Usually, if the blade is not sharp, you will compensate by pressing harder.  This often does more harm than good, resulting in cutting into the substrate. 

Stainless Steel Auto-Lock OLFA Knife

● 30-Degree angle allows for precise cuts.

● A “must have” for any professional graphics installer.

● Perfect for general sign shop applications.

●  Great for crafts.

● Cuts vinyl films, Coroplast, foam board, gator board and more.

When cutting on a painted surface, such as a customer’s car or truck, be extremely careful.  Especially, if this is someone’s very expensive toy.  Cutting too deeply into the paint job, can expose the metal to moisture, resulting in rust and a very annoyed or angry customer.

X-ACTO Knife  with Safety Cap

 

● X-ACTO knife with #11 fine point blade  allows for precise cuts.

● Easy to handle design for intricate trimming of vinyl graphics.

● Durable zirconium nitride-coated blade provides for sharp cutting.

● Easily cuts vinyl films and heat transfer material. Also good for cutting Coroplast and foamboards.

● Safety cap for storage and portability.

After you remove the defective piece of vinyl film, clean the surface and the edge of the applied graphics.  Washing with detergent and water will remove any water-soluble contaminants.  Complete the cleaning by wiping the substrate along the edge of the graphic with isopropyl alcohol (IPA).  This will remove any oily grime.

SEALITPEN

With the surface cleaned, you must edge seal the vinyl graphic to prevent further lifting.  For this application, many sign makers use a SEALITPEN, which was developed by pinstriping legend “East Coast Artie” Schilling.  Resembling a felt tipped marker, the pens are filled with an acrylic clear coat.  If you don’t want to contend with the mess involved in using a brush, this little pen is a neat way to apply edge sealer. 

Applying edge sealer with a SEALITPEN is neat, quick and convenient and prevents edge peeling problems from occurring in the first place.   

3M Brand 3950 Edge Sealer & Butch Anton’s Frog Juice

Many professional decal installers prefer applying edge sealer, such as 3M Brand3950 Edge Sealer or Butch Anton’s Frog Juice, straight from the can. Painting the sealer on with a brush applies heavy coating to secure the edges of the vinyl film. 

3M Edge Sealer 3950

● Seals exposed edges of vinyl graphics.

● Prevents pressure-sensitive vinyl films from lifting resulting from environmental exposure or cleaning.

● Easy to apply clear edge sealer with a small artist’s paint brush or sign maker’s quill.

● Essential sealer for any professional graphics installer.

● Suitable for graphics applications in temperatures from 50°F to 100°F.

3950 Edge Sealer is very similar to 3M’s 3900 series solvent-based screen print clear coat.  Back in my decal installing days, I would fill baby food jars with clear coat for edge sealing vinyl graphics.  Instead of using the spherical fiber dabber that comes with the 3950 sealer, I prefer brushing clear coat with a #6 quill.  With this brush, you can apply a thick ½” line of clear coat to seal the edges.  Ideally, half of the clear coat will be on the vinyl graphic and the other half will be on the substrate.

In many cases, the remedy that I prescribed will cure the majority of edge peeling maladies.  Will it work every time?  No.  But whatever does?  If the problem resulted from poor surface preparation or shrinkage caused by solvents in an ink, it is likely that the problem will reoccur.

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Vinyl Application Videos

Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link

Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link

Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link

Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films.  Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link

3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link

Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free.  Click to Link

Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link

Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link

About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2016 Jim Hingst