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Small bubbles & imperfections on vinyl when stuck to gla
hi there guys,
i currently just completed my first window job. The sign was about 2.5m long by about 30cm high. i used oracal 551. I cleaned the glass with windex (i am thinking this may be the problem) and soapy water before applying the stickers dry. After applying them and pulling of the applicator paper i noticed the surface looked rough, small imperfections and many small bubbles. I am sure the bubbles aren’t from the way i applied them, i am thinking it must have been insufficient cleaning of the surface. Thankfully the sign is only temporary and will only be there for a few weeks while the store gets renovated but i have another job coming up which will be a permanent thing and i want to experience this problem again. Any suggestions would be appreciated ? 🙄
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6 Replies
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Theo, windex will not be the problem. Sounds like you need to preclean the window with a razor blade first. It is an important 1st step in signing any glass really.
Soapy water etc will only get of grime etc, but not overspray or builders grit etc.
Hope that helps mate
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I always go over the glass with a window scraper too similar to the ones that hold the Stanley type blades this tens to remove most stuff
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thanks guys, but this shop is in a shopping centre. I did the work before any building works had started, i was told they get their windows cleaned twice a week, i am thinking it may be the solution that the window cleaner uses. i haven’t been back since i applied it but i have been told alot of the little bumps go away after a day or two when the adhesve starts to cure, is this true ??
i know it is not the vinyl, it is supposedly very good vinyl, what are your opinions ?
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It doesn’t matter how often windows are cleaned; there will be bits of debris stuck to the glass. Fly poo is a common cause of bumps under vinyl. (Honest!) Use a scraper first.
You are correct in that many small imperfections, such as squeegee marks in the adhesive will go away after a day or so.
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Yes mate, take a bit longer than in the weather with heat on the glass, but inside a shopping centre is no different. They come out eventually
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I noticed this with Oracal vinyl when I did a car a couple of months ago. Loads of little bubbles….I just put it down to inexperience of fitting dry and popped them with a pin, then pushed them down with a squeegee. Haven’t had the problem since….the last car I did (this weekend) had no bubbles whatsoever. I’m not convinced it’s the cleaning products that cause the tiny bubbles, I think it’s something to do with the vinyl and the temperature.
Adam
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