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how can i get rid of air-bubbles behind glass etch?
Hi all
Went back to the italian restaurant that I fitted a few weeks back to do some small etch applications (largest was 440x800mm). Having applied dry, and taken the app tape off, I was hit with literally hundreds of small air bubbles behind the etch!!! Now this I wasnt happy with and I have promised to redo for my customer next week, as I do not want to put my name to such a crap job!!
Here is the question…. why did it happen when I managed to do 6 x 3m lengths with hardly any issues (did do it wet) and some smaller ones for doors (did them dry). The only distinct difference was that the etch was app taped all over and not just over the cut areas. Main issue I think is that I cut and taped the job up over 2 weeks ago, and having been left in the workshop (which is prone to heat changes) it has caused some shrinkage or something with the app tape.
Am I thinking on the right lines, or have I done something drastically wrong. I even did it the way Rob did those doors in his demo!! I dont usually have a big problem with bubbles, sometimes on new vehicles due to gassing, but thats about it.
Any ideas people? What was now a cheap little cash job for the nice italian lady will now end up a break even….. but at least I guess it is cash off the books and in my pocket!! 🙄
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3 Replies
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quote Phil Barnfield:Main issue I think is that I cut and taped the job up over 2 weeks ago, and having been left in the workshop (which is prone to heat changes) it has caused some shrinkage or something with the app tape.Am I thinking on the right lines, or have I done something drastically wrong. I even did it the way Rob did those doors in his demo!! 🙄
Bingo!! Thats more likely the problems.
The longer app tape is left on anything without being applied, the better the likely hood of bubbles in the finish.
I usually app tape the vinyl the night before or the morning of a job.
If the tape is loosely folded during travel, bubbles will be introduced on the fold line. Always roll the vinyl outward around a core (loosely) and that will produce the best result on the day of fitting.
Make sure your sqeegee has a sharp edge too, as a nick in the edge with also introduce bubbles.
Hope that helps
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Phil, like Shane has already said the longer graphics are taped up without applying then the more chance there seems to be of problems like this. Like Shane I don’t tape graphics until I know I am going to apply them, I may have cut and weeded a graphic a couple of days or weeks earlier but I wont actually apply application tape until I know I am going to fit them.
Plus like Shane I never fold them if I have to transport them to site. Always roll them application tape outwards onto a core, I actually think an old vinyl tube curls them up a bit so I roll mine round the outside of an old magnetic tube which is about 6 – 8 inches in diameter.Always check the edges of your squeegee before applying anything and keep them sharp, a squeegee will bow with use and this along with any nicks can cause air bubbles. The softer the squeegee the quicker it will bow, normally in the middle.
As for the vans, its actually very unlikely that the bubbles on a new van are caused by gassing. Vans now days are painted with 2 pack paint and graphics can be applied without problem after 48 hours.
The problems with gassing are normally associated with cellulose paint where it can take up to 3 weeks for the paint to cure properly, hardly anyone uses cellulose these days as even most repair shops use 2 pack. -
quote martin:As for the vans, its actually very unlikely that the bubbles on a new van are caused by gassing. Vans now days are painted with 2 pack paint and graphics can be applied without problem after 48 hours.
The problems with gassing are normally associated with cellulose paint where it can take up to 3 weeks for the paint to cure properly, hardly anyone uses cellulose these days as even most repair shops use 2 pack.Looks like I need more practise then. Saying that they do go after a few days/weeks.
Thanks for the advice. This time around I am going to do it wet and without any app tape (apart from the patterned bit at top). Must keep the customer happy. It is a new squeegee that I am using. The only other difference is that last time I used a felt block, this time a gold (hard) squeegee.
Guess these things are sent to test me :lol1:
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