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![]() Want Your Graphics to Look Great and Last? Start with Surface Preparation and Cleaning
By Jason Yard, Marketing Manager, MACtac® Distributor Products
Achieving a perfect graphic installation is the goal of most every applicator, whether an industry veteran or an inexperienced consumer.
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Much can play into the success of an application and how long the graphic will last: The properties of the vinyl product, the chosen type of adhesive, the conditions under which the graphic is being applied, and the propensity of the installer to follow proper procedures. Even a seasoned installer using the best materials on the market could be doomed to relative failure before an application is even begun if they do not appropriately execute one specific step. No matter what the circumstance, graphics are always being applied to some sort of surface, and if that surface is not properly prepared, there is a distinct possibility that the graphic will not last as long or look as good as it should. Surface preparation is a critical step toward attaining successful, long-lasting vinyl graphic installations, but it is one that is unfortunately often overlooked and misunderstood. Simply because a substrate does not look dirty, wet or otherwise compromised does not mean that cleaning and preparation of the surface is unnecessary. Also, not all substrates should be prepared in the same manner; there are specific steps that should be taken based on the composition of a surface. For these reasons, it is important to understand principles of cleaning and preparing various surfaces for optimized pressure-sensitive graphic applications before attempting them.
Preparation and Cleaning: The Basic Steps
While you may not need a lot of tools in the surface preparation stage of installation, make sure what you do use is helping, not hindering your cleaning. As towels or cloths become dirty, use new ones. Make sure all surfaces are completely dry prior to application. If need be, use a heat gun to remove moisture, especially around rivets and along seams. Always reference applicable performance guides provided by graphic material manufacturers for appropriate application temperatures. As you begin, you should have two basic goals in mind when cleaning a surface before graphics application: Removal of organic contaminates, such as dirt, bug spatter or food residue, and removal of petrochemical contaminates, such as wax, grease and oils. To properly remove these contaminates a three-step process is recommended:
STEP TWO: Remove petrochemical contaminates with a lint-free cloth soaked in a solvent-based cleaner. Weak solvents, such as glass cleaners or alcohol, will not remove many contaminates, but strong solvents, such as paint thinner, acetone and toluene, may damage the finish. Always test solvents first in an inconspicuous area, and use a clean, lint-free cloth to dry the surface prior to evaporation. STEP THREE: Wipe down the area with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) using a clean, lint-free towel, just prior to application to remove any dust, solvent or detergent residue left on the surface. If you are using industrial-grade IPA, mix it in a ratio of two parts IPA to one part water. If you are using rubbing alcohol, do not dilute. ![]()
Study Your Substrate Specifics
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Metals
Wood
Plastics and Rubber
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Painted Surfaces The type of paint used can determine how soon after painting a graphic application will likely be successful - two-part urethane paint systems, for instance, may require a day or two of waiting to allow for outgassing. Certain paints, such as powder-coat paint, may require special adhesives for a lasting application, and there will be some variance regarding how many of the basic three cleaning steps should be executed based on paint type as well. In general, you should avoid using:
High-matte latex paints Highly pigmented or flat metallic paints (which tend to chalk or bleed) Paints that purposely include ingredients that migrate to the surface, like waxes, silicones or antifouling or antifungal agents (which may be categorized as "easy clean")
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Building Materials
Miscellaneous Surfaces
Beyond Cleaning: An Application Checklist
Do I have the right sort of graphics material and adhesive to make it last in these conditions? Will this be an interior or exterior application? How will this factor into graphic longevity? What is the estimated viewing distance of the graphic? What are the material and texture properties of the surface to which my graphic will be adhered? How long do I need to wait between surface preparation and applying the graphic? What is the expected application temperature and environmental conditions that could affect installation? Will the graphic need to conform to curves or rivets? Who is installing the graphic? Will it be a professional? Who is removing/repositioning the graphic? Will it be a professional? Will there be a need for ongoing cleaning of the graphic? If so, who will do this? Are there any other unique application characteristics that could affect the installation?
The answer to any of these questions could affect the way a graphic should be applied, the type of materials that should be used, and how long a graphic will last. For instance, if you are working with a textured wall or floor surface, you may need to use a product specifically designed for these applications, such as MACtac®'s RoughRAP™ or StreetRAP™. If you are applying a vehicle wrap, the amount of curvature involved could determine which type of bubble-free digital media you ought to use. If you are applying a graphic to drywall, you may need to wait until the paint is fully cured - something that may take upward of 90 days with a heavily pigmented paint.
Overwhelmed? Rely on the Experts ![]() Pressure-sensitive graphics application may seem simple to the uninitiated, but there is clearly a lot to it. For this reason, it is always a good idea to stay in close contact with your graphic material supplier, as they should be experts on all facets of graphic application, from material choice to installation best practices. Some companies have even created online communities through which installers can learn from one another and access media that conveys the latest tips and tricks being using in the field, such as www.theapplicationnation.com. Armed with support from the people who know graphic installation and properties best, as well as a dedication to remembering that it all starts with surface preparation and cleaning, consider yourself well equipped the next time you set out to achieve the perfect graphic application.
Jason Yard joined MACtac in 2007. With expertise in graphic design, printing and installation, Yard is responsible for marketing to MACtac Graphic Products' large customer base and training them on the details of application techniques. Leading MACtac's well-known Application Nation program, he focuses on educating customers on the best uses for MACtac's products, matching products to applications and proper installation methods. He also assists and facilitates MACtac Graphic Products' research and development and new product benchmarking. Yard holds a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication Design from Kent State University.
Images courtesy of MACtac/Morgan Adhesives Company.
This article appeared in the SGIA Journal, September / October 2013 Issue and is reprinted with permission. Copyright 2013 Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (www.sgia.org). All Rights Reserved.
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