Outgassing Paint and Vinyl Graphics

This photo is in the public domain.

This article appeared in  Sign Builder Illustrated.

By Jim Hingst

Bubble Trouble...how outgassing paint can create bubbles underneath vinyl graphics and what to do to avoid these problems.

Have you ever seen the effects of outgassing paint on applied vinyl graphics?  It’s not pretty.  When the problem starts, it looks as if the surface of the film has had a breakout of severe acne. Tiny bubbles underneath the film grow until they merge together forming larger, more ominous bubbles.

This is a horror that no sign maker deserves.  The problem will not go away with the passing of time. These bubbles will not breathe through the vinyl.  Bad problems only get worse.  And there is no remedy other than to remove the failing film and to start over. 

In the worst case scenario, the vinyl graphics don’t come off so easily. Instead  the paint comes off with the film.  So you don’t think it can happen? It’s happened to me. And in each case the vehicle had to be repainted.

If you are applying vinyl graphics to a vehicle with a factory paint job, there’s usually no problem with outgassing. With repaint jobs, it’s a different story. Variations in paint formulations account in part for this application conundrum. Compound different types of paint with different skill sets and vastly different shop environments and the finished product is anyone’s guess.  So what’s a vinyl applicator going to do?

For starters, it never hurts to visit the job site and inspect the vehicles.  As you size things up, here’s what to look for:

•  Which paint was used? Get the name of the paint manufacturer, the product series and any relevant product technical information.

•  What is the condition of the paint job?  In an inconspicuous part of the vehicle, check for paint adhesion using 3M Brand #610 Scotch Tape. In performing a paint adhesion test, apply a couple of inches of the tape to the painted surface and burnish down well.  Then quickly jerk the tape off of the substrate at a 90º angle.  If any paint comes off, you’ve got a problem.  Either the paint has not cured properly, or for any number of other  reasons,   the paint adhesion is inadequate. 

• Note: Older paint jobs can be a problem, too. On these painted surfaces, check for chalking, peeling paint, rust, etc.  If any of these conditions exist, corrective action is required.  And if the fleet owner is not willing to correct any of these problems prior to application of graphics, it’s best to pass the job up.

• When was the job painted? Just as inks are comprised of solvents, so are paints.  Most paints such as lacquers, enamels and urethane cure after the solvent evaporates.  Some paints, such as urethane, take days if not weeks  to fully cure.  This curing time varies depending on several factors.  Some of these variables are the type of paint, ambient temperature and humidity, and the amount and type of hardener use. 

Opinions vary on how long you should wait before applying vinyl graphics to a new paint job.  The first thing to do is to “READ AND HEED” the paint manufacturer’s technical information.  Each paint system is different and some take longer than others to cure. Most paints will cure adequately within a week at temperatures above 75ºF. 

Mother nature, of course, doesn’t always cooperate with our time schedule.  Lower than normal temperatures and  high humidity can extend curing times. It’s not impossible for a paint to outgas for months.   For this reason, if you can delay application of vinyl graphics to a newly painted surface, then do it.  It never hurts to wait two or three weeks before installing vinyl films. 

Test, Don’t Guess

If paints can continue to outgas for an indeterminate amount of time, how can you tell when the paint has cured enough to safely apply vinyl graphics?  “TEST, DON’T GUESS.” To check whether or not a paint has cured, perform the following  couple of common sense tests.  First, press your thumbnail into the paint.  If your thumbnail leaves an indentation, the paint has not yet cured. 

If the paint passes the thumbnail test, then perform the film test.   Apply a six inch square of polyester film onto the painted surface.  After waiting for twenty-four hours, check to see if any bubbles have formed under the film. 

Bubbles under the film indicate that the paint has not cured yet and is continuing to outgas.  At this point you need to exercise a little patience.  There’s nothing that you can do other than to wait. After two or three days, do another tape test. If bubbles don’t appear, you’re good to go.

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: Sign business authority on vehicle wraps, vinyl graphics, screen printing, marketing, sales, gold leaf, woodcarving and painting. 

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 500 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

© 2018 Jim Hingst, All Rights Reserved.