DuPont Solvent Surface Cleaners

This photo is in the public domain.

By Jim Hingst

Discover which DuPont solvent surface cleaners used for surface preparation prior to vinyl application.

In the movie, Karate Kid, do you remember the instruction that Mr. Miyagi gives Daniel on waxing a car? “Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off.  Don't forget…very important.” 

In the vinyl graphics business, the right hand, left hand technique is the traditional way decal installers are taught to clean with a solvent surface cleaner. In one hand, saturate a clean rag in pail of solvent. In the other hand, hold a clean dry rag.  Wet the substrate with the wet rag. Then use the dry rag to wipe the surface clean, before the solvent can evaporate.

What’s wrong with the one handed approach of just mopping the surface with a wet rag of solvent? The thinking is that using this technique all you do in move any of the surface contaminant from one area on the substrate to another. The end result is that the contaminant is still there! It’s just in a different place on the vehicle.

Believe it or not, some communities, such a San Francisco, have banned wiping down a surface with a solvent saturated rag whether you use one hand or two. The reasoning behind the regulation is that when you saturate a  rag with solvent too much evaporates into the air. So what’s a decal applicator going to do?

The approved method is to use a spray bottle to squirt the solvent onto the surface. After spraying the surface with solvent, use a clean, dry rag to dry it. As silly as you may think this regulation is, this alternate cleaning method is effective…and in some municipalities, it’s the law.

Whether you drench the surface with solvent or spray it on, it is very important that you use a clean rag, paper toweling or disposable rag to dry the surface before the solvent evaporates.

Which Cleaners are Recommended?

When installers clean a car or van prior to a vehicle wrap, many will use a “wax and grease remover” in their prep process.  Not all of these “wax and grease removers” are the same.  In fact, the strength of these solvent cleaners can vary greatly. Some are very strong and can damage some paint systems. That’s why you need to know the potency of the solvent that you are using.  And before you use it, test the solvent in an inconspicuous spot on the vehicle so you don’t damage the paint job. One of my mantras is “test, don’t guess”.

Another differentiating property of a solvent is the speed at which it evaporates. Some types of solvent cleaners flash off of the surface very quickly. Other evaporate at a much slower rate. For prepping a vehicle surface prior to graphics application, you typically don’t want either one that flashes off too fast or too slowly.

My personal preference in a brand of solvent is DuPont. They make many different solvents for different applications.

DuPont’s Prep-Sol® 3919S is an essential cleaner for truck graphics installers. It is a strong, fast-drying solvent that will clean tough contaminants, such as tar and grease.  Because this is a strong solvent, you need to be careful when using this solvent on some paint jobs, such as enamels, or it could damage the surface.

DuPont Kwik Clean 3949S™ is a milder waterborne alternative for cleaning repainted vehicles prior to graphics application. It works well to remove dirt, sap, splatter bug remains and road film.

In applying vinyl graphics to fiberglass many installers will prep the surface with  DuPont’s 3812S Reducer to remove the waxy release coating used in the manufacturing of molded products.  Without cleaning off the release agent is virtually impossible to adhere vinyl graphics to this surface. 

Before using any solvent cleaner, first wash the surface with a mild detergent and water. After using the solvent cleaner and immediately before you begin your application, wipe the surface down with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). This cleaning procedure is described in detail in my article 3-StepPrep for Vehicle Graphics.

RECOMMENDATION: Chuck Bules of Arlon  recommends periodically checking your rag, whenever you are solvent cleaning any painted surface, especially an aftermarket paint job, to make sure that you are not removing paint as well as the dirt.

Before using any solvent cleaner, read the technical data sheet and the MSDS that pertains to that chemical. Use of a solvent cleaner may require the use of a properly-fitting air-purifying  respirator, latex gloves and eye protection.

My final bit of advice is to work in a well-ventilated area.

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. 

© 2016 Jim Hingst