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Advice on using ‘bubble-free’ etch glass vinyl
Morning everyone !!
We use quite a bit of etch glass effect vinyls, but we always apply it wet. This doesn’t normally cause us any problems, but today we need to get a large glass sign etched and ‘vinyled-up’ today so applying wet isn’t an option.
We’ve bought in some of the Image Perfect 5802PA bubble-free etch vinyl in the hope of applying the etch dry so we can work on the panel straight away. The problem we’re having is it’s coming out streaky. We kind-of know why as it’s the difference in pressure and luckily this particular panel is going to have a white back panel so it’s not going to show, but we’d like to use this pretty much all the time if we can stop the streaking.
Is there a ‘special’ way this should be applied or any kind of different squeegie we should be using etc ?
Cheers in advance for any help.
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7 Replies
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Squeegee HARD, it goes well. Just keep the un squeegeed vinyl close to the surface so you are not Stretching the vinyl by squeegeeing and therefore causing stretch marks on each stroke.
I have used bubble free Etch a Fair bit on glass. I use Teflon Hard squeegees. Gets most of the pressure even. Having the Glass evenly cleaned and the Vinyl you have you shouldn’t have a problem. Even if you use normal etch on glass, throw 20% Methylated Spirits in for cold climates in the slip mix. Most Manufacturers allow this as Is my understanding. Its gives you slip at first, then helps dry it out fast after squeegeeing. I have seen people use water on air egress vinyl. DONT lol.
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Hi Adrian, I have used this too with the same streaky results. I was horrified and so was the customer. Ripped it off and used normal image perfect no problem.
There was a thread about this somewhere, some say the streaks disappear after time but I could not leave the job as it was.
Sorry not much help but I do not like any bubble free anymore for anything, more agro than its worth in my opinion
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What width squeegee are you using, how much pressure etc. Over Here we have much higher temps so the glue may lay more evenly, maybe thats the difference. What temp does the specification sheet for the product say is Ideal?
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Even normal vinyls will look a bit streaky or patchy until the glue cures.
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Sorry Jon, it fit a shed load of image perfect etch and never have any streaks when done wet, be interesting to see what you use?
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I’m with Chris here I do loads of Frost & etch on glass and when flood coating always do it wet as I’ve found the same pressure marks when doing it dry. I tend to use the Metamark range or polyester window film frost when doing large areas
Only frost I do dry are fiddly cut out graphics. -
Rapid tac 2 here for etched or opal frost even if its small fiddly bit in the design, if its not too cold or a wet outer window you can remove your app tape usually within 10 mins.
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