Arlon SLX cast wrap, removal problem.

[Robert Lambie]

Spoken to a local Arlon accredited installer who says it’s a known issue.

If this is the case, you should have no problem with your complaint.
I would contact the supplier of your material by email/writing. Showing them lots of pictures, different angles, as well as video footage of exactly what is happening when you try and remove it.
I would also ask your installer for a photo of his arlon accreditation, certificate number or whatever reference they require, and include this in your complaint, along with his comments about it being a known fault.

Basically everything you can put together to clearly show what the problem is, backed by the installer’s comment/views, licence etc. It will tick all the boxes for your complaint to be taken seriously.

Product failures can happen for an array of different reasons. From manufacturing defects, the suppliers’ storage time or conditions, to our own (signmaker) storage time/conditions, graphics manufacturing process or installation procedures. Exactly “who” is to blame is what is key, and it is why documenting, photos, video, anything! is so important in covering your back.

The sad truth in any claim, from any vinyl manufacturer/supplier is that even if your case has credibility. The most you will get is a replacement roll of material and an apology for the inconvenience caused.
In my view, this is not good enough, but it is as good as we can expect.
Anyone who reads my posts on warranties and the like will know I am openly vocal about my gripes with regards to vinyls, warranties etc and have been since starting this website 25 years ago.
This doesn’t just go for just small sign, medium or even large sign companies. It is the same processes/requirements for any. The difference is, that large companies have more clout when an argument arises but more so, their business processes tick many more boxes because of how structured large companies tend to be. From accredited staff, accredited work environment, media pairing with inks and more… even then, shit can hit the fan, so to speak.

It does not matter what vinyl manufacturer you choose, they all have their terms and conditions, and any that do scream about what they cover and how much they warrant for this and that, I guarantee you their T&C’s are off the chart in what you must conform to.
This is not just my view, I have sat in the board rooms of some of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers along with wrap film manufacturers and listened to what they can offer as a warranty, but also what they expect in return for it. And I assure you, nothing really changes, even at the top of the ladder. In fairness, I can see and understand why they do it.

anyway, I am rambling… again! 😬

[David Hammond]

The install was completed by myself (and my dad), neither of us are ‘accredited’, but trained in wrapping.

I called a local accredited company to pick their brains, as it seemed unusual.

I’ve spoken with my supplier, who are speaking with Arlon. I’ve also spoken to several other people – who have asked, and suggested the same thing. I won’t speculate on that further.

You are correct Rob, an apology doesn’t help with the headache of removal.

I guarantee the installation, which had not failed at all 👍 I don’t offer any guarantee, warranty on efficiency of the removal. Who knows what life each van we wrap will have. The wrap will remove, just painstakingly, and at great expense for the customer.

There is a whole other backstory to this job too which further complicates things.

[Martyn]

Just get your scrapper out, that glue will come off in no time 🙂

[David Hammond]

Its not the glue, it’s the vinyl that won’t come away, and just breaks up into tiny pieces.

Wish it was just glue, but I can’t get to the glue to scrape it.

[Martyn]

Thats very strange. Surely if this was a common known issue, slx would not be so popular

[David Hammond]

I don’t think it’s a common issue, but no isolated. The issue may not lie with the media.

[Peter Cassidy]

I have used SLX a few times and i have never had any problems at all. that said i have only stripped one of the vans which were on for around 2 years but that stripped effortlessly. compared to oracal 970 the slx was much better because i have seen the adhesive come off the vinyl and left on the van.

[David Hammond]

I’ve stripped SLX previously and had no issues, as have others I’ve spoken. So I’m not sure why this particular vehicle won’t.

[Jeff]

Its not the glue, it’s the vinyl that won’t come away, and just breaks up into tiny pieces.
Wish it was just glue, but I can’t get to the glue to scrape it.

i thought it was the glue also because there isn’t any ink on it. what is the black part, that cant be the laminate is it?

[David Hammond]

We’d applied a black stripe along the vehicle, on top of the printed wrap.

The SLX had a gradient fade, so the black band acted as a break between the wrap and the paintwork along the swage line.

[Jeff]

Ok i think i see what you mean. 👍

just my view, but i would never give any guarantees on wraps and as far as removing is concerned, it is charged by the hour, take it or leave it. 😎

[David Hammond]

That’s where things could get tricky.

I don’t promote wraps as Removable, or temporary, and make no guarantees. I do guarantee the installation for a period I am comfortable with.

Whilst this wrap will remove it’s just going to take a while, thus cost a fortune. My warranty is for the installation, and covers failures in the usual manner.

The wrap installation hasn’t failed, it looked perfect until the removal process started.

We have exclusions in ours relating to the failure of the install, example Ceramic Coatings, non OEM paint, etc.

Most manufacturers explicitly exclude from their guarantees and warranty, the speed & ease of removal, so would recommend including such a term into any terms installers use, just to cover your own backside, especially if you’re promoting wraps as temporary, removable, damage free, protecting paintwork etc.