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Friday, May 18, 2012

Preventing Wall Graphics Failures


Jim Hingst covers  proper cleaning of walls, best painting practices, and vinyl application techniques...

By Jim Hingst

Getting good adhesion to painted wall surfaces has been a problem for sign makers and the manufacturers of vinyl films. Flat finish paints are especially a problem. To help your customer avoid the pitfalls that result in vinyl graphics falling off the wall, here are some guidelines to follow before beginning a wall graphics installation.

New drywall must be primed and painted properly to ensure good adhesion of pressure sensitive vinyl wall graphics. Before priming, wipe off all of the drywall dust, sawdust and other contaminants that have accumulated on the walls during construction.


Photo courtesy of The Sign Shop/Troutdale, Oregon.


Failure to clean the walls properly often prevents the primer from properly adhering to and sealing the drywall. Debris trapped in the paint will prevent you from achieving a good smooth surface, which is essential for good vinyl adhesion. If you will be decorating an interior wall surface, which is relatively clean, prep the surface by wiping the walls down with a damp rag. If there are rough spots caused by debris in the paint, you may need to lightly sand these areas before applying the vinyl wall graphics.



Light colored flat finish paint is commonly used to decorate drywall surfaces, because it helps hide any imperfections in the drywall job. Flat finish paints, however, utilize additives that give the paint its matte or satin finishes. These additives prevent good vinyl adhesion.

Here's the remedy for these vinyl maladies. (1) For best painting results, you should paint new drywall with one coat of primer and two coats of either a gloss or semi-gloss paint. (2) Properly prep the wall surface prior to application. (3) Apply the graphics using accepted industry graphics installation techniques.

Regardless of what brand and type of paint you are using, make sure the paint it thoroughly cured before applying the vinyl graphics. As a rule of thumb, allow the paint to cure for a week before applying any pressure sensitive films. To ensure that the paint is cured and that the adhesive system will stick to the wall surface, it's best to "TEST, DON'T GUESS." Apply a piece of the vinyl to be used to an inconspicuous place on the wall and see whether or not the graphics stay stuck.

Properly Prepping a Painted Wall


If the walls are newly painted or relatively clean, nothing more than wiping the surface with a clean, damp lint-free rag should be required. If an older wall surface is contaminated with years of grease, dirt and smoke film, the wall must be cleaned before either painting or application of pressure-sensitive materials. To ensure that the paint bites into an older painted wall surface, old time painters would wash the wall with trisodium phosphate or TSP. This heavy-duty cleaner will cut through the years of grease and scum that accumulate on a wall and etch the surface.

Using a sponge, apply the cleaner to the wall surface. Drench the sponge in clean water, wringing it out until it is just damp. Wipe the dirt and grime from the wall surface. With a wet sponge wipe the surface immediately after cleaning. Failure to properly rinse the residue from the wall will contaminate the surface, which will likely cause problems when repainting the wall or applying pressure-sensitive wall graphics.

Vinyl Graphics Application Tips
When applying vinyl graphics to painted drywall, always install the graphics dry. Do not perform a wet application to a drywall surface. When applying a wall mural, many professional installers will first string a taut level line marking where the top of the graphic will begin. Do not snap a chalk line (which may not wipe off cleanly from the wall surface) or install vinyl graphics over a chalk line (which can contaminate the adhesive of the vinyl graphics).  

Begin your application by peeling back the top few inches of the release liner. Position the vinyl graphic, tacking the material in place when you have the proper alignment. Starting at the top, squeegee the marking. Remove the liner as needed. Avoid repositioning the graphic as you work, because this can pull off any unsecure paint. In applying wall graphics, start your stroke in the center of the marking and squeegee horizontally from side to side. Always use overlapping strokes. After removing the application paper, resqueegee the entire marking, especially the edges, to ensure good adhesion.


RECOMMENDED VINYL APPLICATION TOOLS

3M Power Grip Rivet Brush Applicator RBA-3

● Thicker handle provides a more comfortable grip and put less stress on the tendons around your elbow. 
● Stiffer bristles provide the more burnishing pressure to better secure vinyl films to rivet heads.
● Minimizes strain on muscles, nerves and tendons that lead to repetitive motion injury.




Teflon Hard Squeegee 4in for Car Wraps

● The slick Teflon surface of the squeegee glides smoothly over vinyl films without scratching.
● Ideal for vehicle wrap applications for pushing out stubborn wrinkles as you work the film around compound curves.



3M Hand Applicator Squeegee PA1-G Gold

● Stiff nylon squeegees provide the right amount of pressure to force air from under vinyl films and aid the adhesive’s flow out. 
● Nylon squeegees can be sharpen over and over for longer life.
● Preferred by  most professional decal applicators.




3M Hand Applicator Squeegee PA1-B Blue

● Softer, plastic squeegee is more conformable, for better vinyl application to curves, corrugations and irregular surfaces.
● Flexible yet durable plastic.




3M Hand Applicator Squeegee PA1-B Tool-Kit w/ 3x Felt Tips & Lint Free Gloves


● 2 Wrapping Gloves.

● 1 Blue 3M medium-hard professional squeegee.

● 3  Self adhesive felt edges for squeegee.



SEALITPEN

 ● Felt tipped marker filled with acrylic clear coat. 
● Use the SEALITPEN to edge seal a vinyl graphic. 
● A clean way to apply edge sealer - no brush required. 



3M Brand 3950 Edge Sealer


● 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.



3M Tape Primer 94 1/2 Pint 8oz For Vinyl

● Promotes adhesion of all brands of pressure sensitive vinyl films and 3M™ VHB™ Tape.
● Use when vinyl graphics will be stretched into concave areas.
● Use complex vehicle contours, such as bumpers.
● For use on difficult to stick to and low energy surfaces such polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, PET/PBT blends, concrete, wood, glass, metal and painted metal surfaces.
● Dries to a clear finish.
● Cleans up with isopropyl alcohol.




Steinel HG 2510 ESD Programmable IntelliTemp Heat Gun with a LDC Display 


● Temperature range: 120°F - 1200°F.
● LCD display enables temperature selection in 10°F increments
● Ideal for applications requiring precision control.





RollePro Vinyl Application Roller
● Using a RollePro eliminates the need to puncturing holes in vinyl films. No need to use a rivet brush. 

● Reduces the speed of applying vinyl graphics over rivets up to 50%. 

● Install vinyl graphics faster to make more money.




RollePro™ Textured Surface Kit

 The RollePro™ Textured Surface Kit includes a standard handle, an original wheel and a high temperature wheel. The high temperature wheel can be used on a variety of surfaces such as brick and concrete.

3M Air Release Tool
• Needle point punctures bubbles under vinyl graphics to remove entrapped air.          • Retractable point protects graphics installer from puncturing himself. 

 

Car Wrap Magnets
• Vinyl wrap magnets hold vinyl graphic in place for easier application.

• Replaces masking tape in positioning graphics.



Knifeless Finish Line Vinyl Wrap Cutting Tape 50 Meter Roll


● Knifeless tape cuts vinyl graphic film without using a knife.

● Extremely flexible. Applies smoothly around doors, windows and wheel wells.
● Creates perfectly smooth, straight lines. 



RAPID TAC Application fluid for Vinyl Wraps and Vinyl Graphics


● During hot weather applications RapidTac prevents preadhesion that results in damaged vinyl graphics.
● RapidTac allows you to reposition vinyl graphics without distortion, until you register it to the right location.
● Proven formulation.

RAPID TAC II Application fluid for Vinyl Wraps Decals

● Specially formulated for vehicle wraps.

● Allows application of vinyl graphics at lower application temperatures. 



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Fire Rating of Banner Materials
Pressure Sensitives 101 Made Easier
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Visit My Vinyl Sign Techniques Community

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.

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2015 Jim Hingst



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2 comments:

  1. SweetestIdleness BlogJanuary 25, 2013 at 3:55 AM

    Greetings! What's your opinion on what does your average reader look like?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 4, 2014 at 7:01 AM

    Thanks for the tips, Jim! Improperly prepped walls is one of the most common reasons why vinyl graphics and other adhesive papers peel off easily. It would be a waste of fine graphics if it’s smeared because of wrong installation. Faye Fowler @ Master Copy & Printing

    ReplyDelete