Here's how to prevent edge lifting metalized vinyl graphics.
What can you do if the edges
of your metalized vinyl graphics are lifting?
Just as you have heard that most accidents are preventable, so are most
vinyl failures, whether you are using a metalized film or any other type of
film. Edge lifting is one of those
common preventable problems. There isn’t
just one reason for edge lifting. Below is a list of the most common causes and the remedies.
1. You’ve heard that cleanliness is next to godliness. This golden rule especially applies to vinyl
applications. The number one reason for graphics failures including edge
lifting is failure to properly prep the surface. Many professional vehicle wrap specialists
use the following vehicle cleaning procedure.
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| Use my 3-Step Surface Prep routine to ensure good adhesion of metalized vinyl graphics. |
- Wash the surface with detergent and water the day prior to the installation. If you take the vehicle to a car wash, request “no wax, please”. Washing with a high pressure sprayer will suffice.
- Wipe the cleaned vehicle down with 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Before the IPA dries, dry the surface with another clean rag. After you inspect the drying rag, you’ll most likely be surprised at the dirt and grime that you have wiped up.
- Then wipe the surface down again with Prepsol or a wax and grease remover.
- To remove remove grease, tar and waxes in problem areas, such as around wheel wells, use a solvent such as xylene.
- Finally, wipe the surface with 70% IPA to remove the oily residue from the Prepsol or other solvents. Caution: To ensure you don’t damage the paint system of a car or truck, test any solvent on an inconspicuous area of the vehicle before using it. Doing the final cleaning right before vinyl application removes airborne contaminants that may have settled on the vehicle’s surface.
2. Many metalized vinyl films are rigid vinyls that are intended
for flat applications only. Does that mean that there’s no way that you can
apply these films to contours and other irregular shapes? Not at all. But you have to know what you are doing. If you do the application wrong, and stretch
the film into an indentation or around a compound curve, the vinyl will likely
stretch back.
3. If you must form the film to an irregular shape, use heat to
thermoform the film. To ensure that the
film stays down, apply Primer 94 adhesion promoter the to the application
surface prior to installing the graphics. After installing the graphics, edge
seal the film. Using Artie Schilling’s SEALITPEN is a fast, easy, not-messy way
to seal the edges of your films. Or you can use 3M 3950 Edge Sealer or Butch Anton’s Frog Juice.
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| To prevent edge peeling always edge seal metalized vinyl graphics. |
4. After removing the application tape, ALWAYS RESQUEEGEE THE
GRAPHIC.
5. Complete the graphics installation by post heating the
graphic. Post heating heats up the adhesive of the film ensuring that the
graphics are in place. Post heating also
eliminates many of the scratches on the overlaminate that occur during the
application process. Some professional
vehicle wrap specialists prefer using a heat gun to a torch during the post
heating process for a number of reasons:
- With a heat gun, you have better control of the temperature. Use with an IR temperature gun.
- The heat gun better disperses the heat over a wider area.
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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.
© 2016 Jim Hingst
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