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3M controltac thoughts?
Today ive had the job of wrapping a van for a local sports team. Its a partial digital wrap, so we have chosen to use 3M controltac digital.
The laminate im using is the recommended one for this vinyl.
Ive had massive issues today with bubbles, normally i can get little to none when applying but today has been hell.
The last time i used this combination of vinyls i was fully wrapping some fiat 500’s (see pics below)
And it worked mint!
Being controltac it shouldnt stick instantly, yet today its just stuck like nothing and doesnt seem to let bubbles disperse like air release normally would.
Its also creating weird patterns when force has been applied (see pic)Has anyone ever encountered this?
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9 Replies
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What material is this It looks like you’ve trapped air there and left it for a short while.
They are. Glue lines and these will never settle out of the vinyl -
quote SB vehicle wrapping:What material is this It looks like you’ve trapped air there and left it for a short while.
They are. Glue lines and these will never settle out of the vinylPrintable digi, 3M controltac.
Ive used this exact roll for the other cars and no issues.Laminate was put on using rolls roller.
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Did you maybe install under direct sunlight?
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quote Pane Talev:Did you maybe install under direct sunlight?
Was fitted inside our unit.
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No idea. Similar happened to me when I installed under direct sun light.
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Maybe recently painted? Probably a silly question but it wasn’t applied wet was it?
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Very grabby adhesive can be a combination of a heavy solvent print, laminated before allowing enough time for the solvent to evaporate. This can also lead to curling off at the edges and other premature failures.
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quote Simon Worrall:Very grabby adhesive can be a combination of a heavy solvent print, laminated before allowing enough time for the solvent to evaporate. This can also lead to curling off at the edges and other premature failures.
It was a quite heavy colour to be fair. Was probs laminated 1- 2 hours after printing. What would you suggest time wise to wait?
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quote Chris Tennant:quote Simon Worrall:Very grabby adhesive can be a combination of a heavy solvent print, laminated before allowing enough time for the solvent to evaporate. This can also lead to curling off at the edges and other premature failures.It was a quite heavy colour to be fair. Was probs laminated 1- 2 hours after printing. What would you suggest time wise to wait?
Hi Chris
The grabby adhesive will almost certainly be down to outgassing time. I think all vinyl manufacturers would suggest a minimum of 48 hours before laminating … I have seen some recommend 72 hours depending on the ink type.
The glue lines are showing possibly due to insufficient initial squeegee pressure (possibly as it seemed grabby) as Controltac is designed to allow repositioning through its technology but requires more squeegee pressure to activate the adhesive and smash the glass beads in the adhesive. Insufficient squeegee pressure generally results in bubbling/rashing and glue lines which show a few hours or even days later. A car in sunlight will heat up and any air trapped will then expand creating the effect you are seeing.
It might be worth attending a specific 3M wrap training course as all the techniques required will be shown.
Stuart
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