Jim Hingst explains the procedures covering the installation and removal of EZ Erase.
EZ
Erase™ can be applied to any flat,
smooth, clean sign substrate or directly to
painted drywall, kitchen cabinets or refrigerators. The operative word
is “clean”. If the surface is not clean, I can almost guarantee that you will
have adhesion problems.
Carefully inspect the condition of the walls,
before applying EZ Erase™ or any other pressure-sensitive vinyl film. Not every
surface is suitable for vinyl graphics application.
Prepping Older Wall Surfaces.
If an older wall surface is contaminated with years of grease, dirt, and smoke, the wall must be cleaned before applying either a new coat of paint or pressure-sensitive materials. Any areas of the wall that are damaged must be repaired before graphics installation. Don’t expect wall graphics to adhere to peeling or chipped paint, dented wall surfaces, or holes in the wall. Not making necessary repairs often results in vinyl graphics failure.
A painted drywall surface that has been
contaminated with grease or dirt must be washed. To ensure that the paint bites
into an older painted wall surface, old-time painters would wash the wall with
trisodium phosphate (TSP). This heavy-duty cleaner will cut through the years
of grease and scum that have accumulated on a wall and have etched the surface;
it is available at hardware stores.
For cleaning walls, mix and apply TSP according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Although
the TSP cleaners vary, typically about 1/4-cup of TSP is mixed into a gallon of very warm water.
Warning: A
strong solution of TSP can strip paint off of wood,
discolor metal, and damage some plastics. Because TSP
is a powerful cleaner, you should always wear rubber gloves and safety glasses
when using this product. Avoid direct contact with your eyes and skin. After
washing with TSP, wait for the wall to dry before
painting.
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.
Using 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.
Prepping Newly Painted Walls.
If the walls have been newly painted, allow the paint to cure for a week before applying EZ Erase™. Only after the paint has thoroughly dried, can you install pressure sensitive wall graphics. High humidity or cold temperatures can slow this curing process down.
Even though the drywall has been newly painted, you
must prep the surface by wiping it down to with a damp, lint-free rag. Use a mixture of 50% water and 50%
alcohol. Wait a half of an hour for the
wall to dry thoroughly before starting the application.
Optimal ambient temperature for
the application of EZ Erase™ is 70⁰F. Do not install EZ Erase™ to walls with
peeling or chipping paint. Damaged walls must be repaired before applying the
film.
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. Remember: To ensure good graphics adhesion, the wall should be
smooth as possible.
Overlaps or Butt Seam.
If you are applying multiple sheets of EZ Erase™ to a wall surface, my advice is to overlap the panels by ¼”. That doesn’t mean that you can’t butt seam the panels. It is possible. But here’s the problem. Aligning the edge of one panel to another edge is more time-consuming as well as being a pain in the proverbial butt. Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun. On top of that, you will always have hairline seams. See the photo below. What’s more, there is the possibility that the vinyl will shrink. And when it does, that hairline seam will widen and become more apparent.
In some cases, your customer will insist that
you apply panels of films with butt seams. To aid alignment of panel to panel
match, you can fold back the release liner along the edge which will butt an
adjoining panel as shown in the photo below. This will expose the adhesive system along
this edge and allow you to tack the panel in place snuggly against the edge of
another panel.
To ensure that you keep your panels level,
you can stretch a level line that you can align the top of the graphic sheets
to. Applying graphics over a chalk line
is not recommended because the chalk dust can contaminate the adhesive causing
adhesive failure.
An alternative is, using a pencil, to lightly
mark a horizontal line and a vertical line
on the wall to aid alignment as you apply the graphics. A four-foot level helps greatly in ensuring
that your vertical line is plumb.
When
applying vinyl graphics to painted drywall, always install the graphics dry.
Don’t perform a wet application to a drywall surface. Wet application will void
the warranty.
In applying the graphics panels, installers
have developed various application techniques.
One popular technique is to align the panel to your pencil markings on
the wall and tape it across the top to form a hinge. After removing six to eight inches of the
release liner, begin squeegeeing the graphic.
As your installation progresses, remove more of the liner as required.
A variation of the top hinge technique is to
remove about eight inches of the release liner from the top of the graphic and
fold it back on itself. Crease the liner so the graphic lays flat as you align
the exposed top edge of your panel to your horizontal alignment marks. Check to see that the panel also lines up
with your vertical marks. If you get your first panel applied in perfectly,
subsequent panels are easy to line up.
Avoid repositioning the graphic as you work; this can pull off any
unsecure paint.
When applying wall graphics, start your
stroke in the center of the marking and then squeegee horizontally from side to
side. Always be sure to use overlapping strokes.
The RTape
EZ Erase™ whiteboard vinyl film features a forgiving adhesive system, which
aids application. Application ease or
difficulty will vary depending on the size of the graphic, ambient temperature
and the type of substrate to which the film is applied.
Applications to wall surfaces are generally
very easy, even for a novice.
Experienced graphics professionals can usually install large panels without the aid of an application tape laminated to
the graphic. Whether you use an application tape or not is a personal choice. If you feel more
comfortable with using a premask on the film, I recommend using a low to medium
tack tape such as RTape 4000 or 4050. After
removing the application paper, resqueegee the entire marking-especially the
edges-to ensure good adhesion.
Film Removals.
We all know that what goes up, must come down. This holds true for all vinyl graphics. At some point in time, you will need to remove the EZ Erase™ film. The good news is that EZ Erase™ dry erase film removes easily for several months after application on most surfaces. The ease or difficulty encountered in removals, however, depends on several variables, such as surface characteristics of the substrate and the duration that the film has been applied to the surface.
The
longer any pressure sensitive film remains on a substrate, the stronger the
ultimate adhesion becomes. Even
“so-called” removable adhesives eventually become permanent over time.
In most
cases, removal of EZ Erase™ will be
trouble- free. In the unlikely event
that adhesive residue remains following removal, clean up the adhesive with a
mild adhesive remover, such as Rapid Remover™.
For more information about EZ Erase™ dry erase vinyl, call your local RTape distributor or contact RTape direct at 800-440-1250 or www.rtape.com.
About Chalk Ink 6mm Classic Wet Wipe Markers
The Wet Wipe Design markers are recommended for use on EZ Erase dry erase films and ChalkTalk™ chalkboard films. The ink should come off easily and with no ghosting residue.
● Waterbased pigment ink.
● Removes easily with ammonia based cleaner.
● Non-toxic; no harmful solvents such as xylene.
● Works on a wide range of non-porous surfaces.
For additional information about vinyl applications, read Vinyl Sign Techniques.
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. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.
© 2016 Jim Hingst
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