applying over new paint work

[Ian Muir]

I always thought 2 or 3 days, but the garages (paint shops) I do work for on a regular basis all have said that because modern techniques ‘bake’ the paint joband use different from the past then it’s fine for me to apply next day….. who am I to argue…

Ian :lol1:

[Phill Fenton]

It does depend on the paint being used.

I have applied vinyl onto paint that has just been applied and have seen the consequences. In one case, bubbling of the vinyl which would not go away.

To cover yourself, advise your client to wait at least a week (but preferably longer) before applying signs. If they insist on you doing it sooner than this (as many do) point out to them that it is at their own risk.

[Martin Gray]

Hi Ian

We have an oven for baking paint but this is winter and it is never fully cured even after an hour of baking. The standox rep told us it can take up to 6 weeks for lacquer to fully cure. Wasn’t sure if any one had a rule of thumb like don’t touch the stuff for a week or something

Thanks tho 🙂

[Paul Humble]

I really need to get my bodyshop friends to join up here, they could offer so much good advice to this often asked topic.

I always advise three weeks settle time for fresh paint, but it all depends on the bodyshop. Has it been allowed to dry in air or baked?

If a customer wants it done asap after painting I get them to sign to say they have been warned of the risks.

[Lynn Normington]

Paul it would be good to get some definitive answers , as I am sure lots of us do body shop repairs.

Lynn

[Peter Normington]

I apply it as soon as the bodyshop say the van/car is ready.
usually sameday/nextday. never had one comeback in over ten years.
I never even bother to explain that the paint needs time to harden, I would be doing myself out off work If I did.
I think it is a myth that paint needs time to cure before applying vinyl,
If its hard enough for the paint shop to buff polish, as they do to get a finish, then its hard enough to accept vinyl,

I just checked my records,
Since 2000 I have done over 300 repair jobs on newly painted vehicles without complaint…

just get on with it

Peter

[Phill Fenton]

As a note of caution – here is an example that I posted about some time ago. I do believe the problem was caused by the paint not having time to outgas
https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=34625&highlight=bubbles

That example aside -I have regularly provided vinyl for bodyshops that have applied the vinyl straight away without any apparent problems. So my conclusion is that it depends on the type of paint used

[Ian Muir]

Yes, as all above seem to point towards, there is a risk, which is not clearly defined, of laying on vinyl before the paint has had time to cure properly.
There are two businesses here – sign makers and body shop sprayers both have the same interest, that is to get the jobs done and out as fast as possible.
I re-vinyl (?) ambulances in fluorescant and reflective on a regular basis after accident damage and these people want them back ASAP of course, same day if poss, I have never seen a problem on removing the vinyl to re-apply new to date.
Since the signmaker is acting as an agent (in a sense) for the bodyshop I believe that if you have discussed the small possibility of something going wrong and the bodyshop tells you to go ahead then it falls on the bodyshop for responsibility.

Ian :lol1:

[Stephen Morriss]

I try for 3 -4 weeks if it hasn’t been in an oven, I’ve had problems with applying on paint that is over 2 weeks old in mild winter conditions.
If it has been in an oven then I’m happy with doing it next day.

Having said that I always discuss it with the body shop or vehicle owner.

Steve

[Martin Gray]

Hi

Thanks for your replies folks.

Phill how did that other job turn out anyway. Did you have to reapply it or did the bubbles disappear over time?

Martin

[Gwaredd Steele]

48 hours mate – that’s all you need & fit away.