Vinyl Application Trouble Shooting Guide

Contaminants on the application surface may be from:

• Mold release agents
• Polymer sealants
• Buffing compounds
• Installation of cables, engines ect.
• Protective coatings for shipment
• Dirt or fiberglass dust
• Body oils
• Detergent residue from wet method application (using too much detergent)

Low tape adhesion may be caused by:

• Surface not compatible with the adhesive (fiberglass is the best surface next to
stainless steel)
• Surface is too uneven for the adhesive, resulting in bridging which reduces the square
inches of adhesion.
• Contaminants on the application surface.
• Reduced curing time shortened from 48-60 hours @ 50-70 degrees
• Temperature of the tape and/or application surface below 50 degrees F.
• Storage of vehicle in temperatures below 50 degrees F immediately after application.
• Use or transportation of the vehicle immediately after application.
• Insufficient squeegee pressure to activate the adhesive and remove the air/water.
• Removing premask in less than a 180 degree angle and/or removing it too rapidly.
• Reduced evaporation time for the water used in the wet method application.

Larger air/water bubbles may be caused by:

• Insufficient squeegee pressure to remove air/water.
• Improper squeegee techniques causing per-adhesion of the tape resulting in pockets
of air/water.
• Application of the tape in direct sunlight and/or too high of temperatures.
• Removing premask in less than a 180 degree angle and/or removing it too rapidly.
• Outgasing of the application surface.

Smaller air/water bubbles may be caused by:

• Contaminants such as dirt or fiberglass dust on the application surface.
• Passing over the air/water and creating pockets by too rapidly squeegeeing.
• Application of the tape in direct sunlight and/or too high of temperatures.
• Removing premask in less than a 180 degree angle and/or removing it too rapidly.
• Outgasing of the application surface.

Wrinkles may be caused by:

• Squeegeeing too hard and fast causing distortions in the tape.
• Turning too sharp a radius causing wrinkles in the shorter radius
• Squeegeeing air/water bubbles without a relief exit.

Tape loosing adhesion at the starting or ending points may be caused by:

• Contaminating the adhesion with body oils.
• Severe stretching of the tape either knowingly or unknowingly.
• Insufficient squeegee pressure to activate the adhesive.

Tape lifting at corners or curves may be caused by:

• Turning too sharp a radius.
• Severe stretching of the tape either knowingly or unknowingly.
• Temperature of the tape and/or application surface below 50 degrees F.

We here at Great Lakes Graphics Supply hope that you have found this
trouble-shooting guide helpful in solving your problem, but if you have
any further issues, application problems, or general questions please
don’t hesitate to call us. We will be happy to assist you.
Thank You