cant get frosted vinyl to stick to glass?

[Carrie Brown]

Hi john,

We don’t have any problems with oracle etch to be honest and we use it on a regular basis.

I do alot of etch work on glass and yes it is a tricky job…

I thought I would post my application technique so some others may pick up some pointers.

Firstly as alway make sure the window is spotless from any dirt/grime as you would be able see this through the etch. Also i place the vinyl using the hinge technique. (place the vinyl and use masking tape on one edge, then flap it over like a hinge. You can then remove the backing paper and squeegee the etch in place)

Small lettering and logo’s i do dry application, this save alot of time.

Large panels i do dry now, but an easier way is hinge it at the top. Use plain water and wet the window. Now apply the image from top to bottom using the squeegee, using left right motions.
I don’t wet the application tape either as it just goes all soggy although some people do do this?.
Leave for about five minutes, then take the tape off. Sometimes I have to start from a corner and use a felt squeegee to hold the etch until the application paper starts comming away. If need be tear the tape in sections so your taking off half or quarter at a time.
Once it is all off, go over once more with a felt squeegee to make sure there are no bubbles.

The other thing to consider is did the customer apply any cleaning solutions/ polish to the window as this would affect the adhesion greatly.

Hope this helps

Stephen

( I think Carrie’s babbling is catching *LOL*)

[Shane Drew]

John,

I agree with Stephen. I use Oracal exclusively, and have no problems at all.

I’d suggest the client probably used soap in the water to clean the glass and their is probably a build up. When you have hit it with water (never use soap in your water as it is a recipe for disaster) the soap build up will come in to play and act like you have sprayed soap on the glass yourself.

I always give the glass a real good going over with metho and water first. This will give you a squeaky clean surface. Except in a goverment job/building as it is against work place practise to use alcohol based products when working for the government here. (apparently it is to protect the workers incase they have a drinking problem…no joke)

I prefer to do any window job dry, but if you feel better doing it wet, just atomise the water on to the glass first.

I use the hinge method too. It is the safest way.

The only thing I did differently to Stephen is that I wet the app tape. I use R tape and it does not go soggy like transferite and some others.

Hope things improve for you in the application.

Cheers
Shane

[Jill Marie Welsh]

You weren’t using that clear application tape, were you?
Wet apps with that are a nightmare.
I do use the wet method, but I use RapidTac II as an application fluid.
Love….Jill

[Phil Davies]

agree with you guys

we used to fit etch wet when starting out but total nightmare
to remove app and never felt confident when leaving sometimes
going back next day to check on it.

we now only ever fit etch dry hinge method

but have filled a few bins with mistakes to get to this stage

[Robert Lambie]

here is an old post i made a year ago… its on glass etch vinyl & with varied replies on how it should be applied & shouldnt be applied.
i stick by my guns on this, if you can manage it dry, apply it dry!

check the link out… if anything its worth a chuckle 😉

https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … glass+etch