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vinyl is shrinking??
Hi all. I have a customer who is concerned about his lettering (which was supplied and fitted by someone else in the area) that has shrunk a bit from it’s original size and left a sticky dirty mark most of the way round the edges of the letters and logo.. I said I would make some enquiries as to what causes it as I was new to the signs business.
Can someone help on the cause or remedy..
Thanks in advance. Gavin -
7 Replies
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If it has shrunk that much then it was either a cheap and cheerful vinyl or it has been on there for a very long time.
The adhesive can be cleaned up with a bit of white spirit usually. -
Could be low quality vinyl.
i.e. Vinyl designed for temporary signs, left on a bit too long or something like that.
Strip and re apply using good quality (or ‘fit for purpose’) vinyl 4/5/7 year.
Should do the trick.
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As Andy says…
Outdoor vinyl shouldn’t shrink so obviously done on the cheap or a long time ago.
The glue will easily clean off but if you do be aware that ghosting will be there and customer will need to no this
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if it has shrunk to the point you see a halo of dirty adhesive, then most likely cheap naff vinyl by the sounds of it…
as has been said, strip it and clean the adhesive off. i normally use "Tar & Glue" remover which you can buy from most auto-valet suppliers.
once vinyl is off, soaked the areas in T&G in a dabbing action and leave for 5 minutes. then repeat it but this time wiping away the adhesive…
after than, then clean down with meths… you can get this from paint & decorator suppliers.
make sure you clean the T&G remover completely off or it will affect the new vinyl once applied.
wash down the lot with soap & water and re-letter it.do not give a price for doing this, give an hourly rate. you may strip and clean the lot on an hour, but could also be there half the day depending how much glue is left and how easy the vinyl is removed.
heat the vinyl using a heat gun. not hair dryer.
heat the vehicle panel with quick waving actions over an area of about 15inch square till the panel is warm. dont go to close or hold in one position or you will damage the paintwork and your beat before you start.
if the vinyl still doesnt come away heat the panel till its as hot as a cup of coffee to touch and try again… as i said, 15inch square areas at a time, then move onto next part.
actually, before using any heat, try peeling it cold. sometimes comes away just as easy. a bit of testing when you start is advised…try to user white paper towels or centre feed tissue roll, or lint free clothes.. coloured tissue etc can loose dye due to chemicals being used and leave it staining white vehicle paintwork.
good heat gun will cost you max £25 from b&q, get a 2 speed bosch or dewalt. 3 speed bosches are a bit pain due to heating up speed.
dont go for the cheap ones, they simply burn out quickly.Heat Gun
Extension Cable
Meths or Isopropanol
Tar & Glue remover
White paper towels or centre feed tissue roll.these are essentials to have in your fitting box at all times, so make sure your using the best you can afford.
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Sounds like a classic case of Avery failure.
😳
Love….Jill -
as has been said, no doubt the wrong material for the purpose it was meant for. Probably a cheap quick cash job for the original fitter, so no need to worry about a warranty claim.
Replace with a good quality polymeric or cast. Stay away from monomerics, as I’d hazard a guess this is what has been used on the job initially.
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Hi – thanks for the info given.. Ill get onto the cust to discuss further. Regards gavin
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