Recommendations for vinyl lettering installations. : eBay Guides

If you purchase a wall sticker and you have not checked your surface area, not prepared
the surface or not studied the recommendations carefully then your installation may fail.
The application of vinyl wall lettering and their longevity of life can be
drastically affected by proper surface preparation and cleaning.

Here are some helpful vinyl wall decal application hints that will help you prepare
your application surface for the installation of your vinyl lettering.

PAINT AND WALL SURFACE
The two most common interior paints used are enamel and latex. Enamel is best because,
like glass and aluminum, it provides a smooth non-porous surface. Latex is more porous
and is not as suitable for vinyl graphic application. It is recommended to use a solvent based
paint with a semi-gloss or glossy finish, although we have had success on some flat finish
paints. Avoid latex paints or any paint that uses anti-graffiti agents such as Teflon or Silicon
additives. Some older oil based paints may be difficult for the vinyl to adhere to and may take
additional time, effort and patience to install.
 
Here are some surfaces that have a big chance of causing installation trouble.
If you think your surface is questionable, most normally you can request a free
test sample to try on your surface before you buy your wall lettering or graphic.

Any glaze or faux paint finish
Wallpaper (flat, glossy and textured)
High Gloss Painted surfaces
Flat or Satin Paint - may require additional patience and pressure for application
Egg Shell Paint - may not stick. Please request sample word for testing
Heavily Textured Walls may not accept vinyl application
Knock Down Textured Walls may experience difficulty with decal edges lifting
Unpainted cinder block, wood or other rough surface
Painted wood or plywood, may have difficulty with decal edge lift
Painted paneling, product may pull some paint from paneling when removed
Cracked, Crumbling or Peeling walls (plaster or paint)

Don’t apply a vinyl wall decal to a freshly painted wall. You should let fresh paint dry for
about a week before applying a decal to it. Freshly painted walls emit gaseous solvents until
the paint cures. If these gases are trapped under an applied vinyl graphic, they may cause
bubbles or react chemically with the adhesive and weaken it leading to failure. Putting vinyl
graphics on any freshly painted surface will lead to failure due to out-gassing.

Vinyl lettering may not stick to a wet wall. Watch for walls that back up to cooling systems,
water pipes, overhead windows or windows that have been boarded up. These areas are prone to
condensation that may not be obvious at the time of installation. In other words, make sure the
drywall isn’t really a wet wall in disguise.

CLEANING
This is typically the forgotten step, or if not forgotten it is badly executed.

Painted walls will accumulate unseen dust, air contaminants and often grease which lightly
lands on the contours and attaches by itself to the surface. Always wash your walls before
applying a vinyl decal. Dust or dirt will prevent it from sticking properly. If you apply
a wall graphic and it falls off within the first 24 hours then dust or grease is most likely the
culprit. For best results, clean the wall and wait until it's completely dry before applying
your decal. Do not use household cleaning goods that might have silicons or oils.
Baby shampoo is an excellent choice since it is normally solvent free.

Vinyl decals typically come off without damaging the wall underneath but there is no guarantee.
Choose and position your decal wisely!

Apply your vinyl decal when it and the wall are both at room temperature. If the wall is too cold
or too hot, the adhesive may not hold well. High humidity sometimes interferes with the application
process, try to wait until a day when the humidity is lower.

It's also best to avoid putting a decal in direct sunlight,
close to a heat source, or in a room where there's a lot of moisture.

Make sure your decal is exactly where you want it before you apply it.
Use tape to gently hold it place, step back, and check it out.
If it's not the way you want it, move it around until it's just right.