Using the wrong tools
Using the wrong tools can also cause damage to the vinyl and to the substrate, say experts. If you use a plain rubber squeegee without pre-mask then you will probably end up with scratched vinyl. Using a knife instead of an air release, or pin tool is also a dangerous operation.

“You can prevent vinyl damage by wrapping a squeegee sleeve or soft clean rag around the squeegee,” says Waters. “If you are going around a rivet, then use an air release tool because if you use a knife then it will actually put a slit in the film. Over time the film may shrink a little bit and you’ll see all of these little slits. A prick with a pin tool makes a circular hole that is somewhat self-healing so it doesn’t shrink back later.”

Lindsay Howard, product specialist with vinyl manufacturer Oracal in Jacksonville, Fla., suggests a felt squeegee as an alternative, especially when applying around rivets after the application tape is removed.

“Application tape is usually enough to prevent scratching the face of the vinyl,” she says. “But if the installer needs to go back and squeegee over the rivet again, then putting some material in between the squeegee and the vinyl can also prevent scratching.”

Saving the substrate
So far we’ve focused mainly on preventing damage to the graphics before and during the installation. But at least damaged graphics can be quickly, if no cheaply, replaced. Damaging the client’s substrate, on the other hand, could spell disaster. Experts say when substrates are damaged they are typically damaged during the cutting process.

“If you cut too deep when you are trimming the vinyl on a vehicle installation, for example, then you could actually damage the clear coat on the car,” says Waters. “That cut creates a point of failure. So when you go to remove the graphic down the road, it can actually pull the clear coat up with it.”

The same goes for a wall installation, she says. If you are installing a wall mural that needs trimming and you cut through the film into the wall paint, then that could also cause a point of failure. Additionally, attempting to perform a wet application on dry wall or gypsum wall could cause damage to the wall. (For more information on wet and dry vinyl application techniques, visit our “Vinyl” section.)

Franzblau cuts to the chase. “Substrate damage is a world of its own,” he says. “It happens because people don’t know how to properly cut, because surfaces are not properly painted or prepared. Substrate damage usually boils down to bad observation or bad technique.”

Maintaining the vinyl
Once you’ve successfully installed the vinyl, take a few minutes to educate your customer about how to maintain its integrity. They’ll thank you for it.

For clients in colder climates, for example, you should always explain that decals applied to windows could be easily damaged by scraping frost or ice off the windows.

There are many cleaning considerations that can also make a world of difference. Only mild window cleaning solutions should be used on windows to prevent decal damage, for example, and vehicles require special care.

If the client waxes their vehicle, that wax could build up around the edges of the vinyl. Vehicle wax must be carefully removed using a soft cloth because using a brush to force the wax from beneath the edges of the vinyl could cause those edges to peal up. Typically, vinyl will maintain its integrity when washed with auto cleaners and water, but automatic car washes tend to reduce the life of the vinyl.

Remember that preventing vinyl damage begins with the preliminary handling of the film and ends with customer education. Vinyl will not last forever, but your reputation in the industry for high-quality products depends on the care you take with your materials and your clients.