What surface cleaner do you use prior to applying vinyl?

[Andy Thorne]

We use this one

panel-wipe
(although we only pay £14.40 with an account)

We used to use this one
ec-degreaser but found it is too slow to evaporate off for us (they used to do a fast version 🙁 )

---

Attachments:

[Daniel Evans]

Are you using the same materials? And it’s not affecting them at all?

[Andy Thorne]

We are mainly a trade supplier of metal products to the trade. We use it on raw aluminium to remove grease etc prior to applying double sided tape but often use as a cleaner on powder coated and painted surfaces when meths won’t do (although make sure the paint is fully cured or it will soften the paint and take a touch off of that too!). I know some of our customers use for degreasing panels prior to vinyling though. If your powder coated panels are coated in an architectural grade powder coat (which ours are) these have a waxy film to the finished surface designed to repel water and keep the product looking clean. What this also does it make it difficult for vinyl to stick to it! This degreaser also takes that waxy film off. Probably not what your necessarily after it for but thought i would throw it into the mix anyway!

[Pane Talev]

Green Avery surface cleaner.

---

Attachments:

[Chris Wilson]

We use panel wipe. Everybody up here uses it. Again about £14 for a 5 litre tin. Get it in most hardware shops or car part warehouses.

---

Attachments:

[Simon Worrall]

1. First clean with water and washing up liquid to get the water based dirt. Throw the rags away after.
2. Second clean with Prepsol (tar and grease remover) That takes care of the wax. Chuck the rags away after.
3. Final clean with Isopropyl alcohol using microfibre cloths, just before application of vinyl.
Simon

---

Attachments:

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks everyone. How about cleaning vinyl after?

[Robert Lambie]

This, like many topics regarding vinyl for "me" is a bit too deep for me to get into by text. :smiles:

anyway, in short… I use the following for cleaning panels. and yes i do know the manufacturers recommendations and abide by when i feel necessary…. This is just what i use for day to day use.

For the record: NOT BRAND SPECIFIC

---

Attachments:

[Peter Johnson]

For vehicle panels;
1. Depending how dirty to start with, soapy water.
2. De-greaser/panel wipe.
3. Clay bar
4. IPA

For any board mounted graphics, as above minus clay bar.

For glass/windows, same again but substitute panel wipe with a vinegar based window cleaner and minus clay bar.

[Simon Worrall]

quote Peter Johnson:

For vehicle panels;
1. Depending how dirty to start with, soapy water.
2. De-greaser/panel wipe.
3. Clay bar
4. IPA

For any board mounted graphics, as above minus clay bar.

For glass/windows, same again but substitute panel wipe with a vinegar based window cleaner and minus clay bar.

Pardon my ignorance Peter, but what is "Clay bar"?

[Daniel Evans]

Simon, over time the bodywork gets particles in the paint. After you wash a car, rub your hand on the paint work and you’ll feel rough bits, a claybar will remove this. Once you claybar the car the paintwork will feel smooth. Basically wash the car and get rid of any dirt, then get your claybar out and spray the car with water as the bar needs to glide across the bodywork otherwise you’ll end up scratching it, then rub the bodywork with the claybar.

[Martyn Heath]

Im another avery surface cleaner user. Im guessing the main reason most of you are using ipa/panel wipe is because of cost

[Peter Johnson]

quote Simon Worrall:

quote Peter Johnson:

For vehicle panels;
1. Depending how dirty to start with, soapy water.
2. De-greaser/panel wipe.
3. Clay bar
4. IPA

For any board mounted graphics, as above minus clay bar.

For glass/windows, same again but substitute panel wipe with a vinegar based window cleaner and minus clay bar.

Pardon my ignorance Peter, but what is “Clay bar”?

Hi Simon.

What Daniel said. Here is the shortest vid I could find that demonstrates why to use it. And when you feel the before/after difference, you can understand how this can help the application.
$this->BBvideo_pass(‘$8’, ‘$4’, ‘$7’)