Applying Oracle Oralite 5300 - Issues

[MEISTER]

I am doing a vehicle graphic package on 5 dealership vehicles. I am using Oracle Oralite 5300 reflective vinyl. I am having real issues with bubbles in material. I am using RTape Conform Series 4076-RLA.

I'm not a novice and have been doing this for a while. Some panels laid flat and look great, others have lots of little bubbles. I tried using Rapidtac but the material doesn't want to stick, and even after 2 weeks the dealership said that some of the graphics (the ones I used rapidtac on) the corners are starting to peal.

Any suggestions. Photos of the first vehicle:

 

[Bill Modzel]

Dave, I'm not sure about the bubble issue but 5300 economy reflective I would not use on a vehicle. 56 or 5700 would be a much better choice for the body curves your applying to.

 

[JoshLoring]

Agreed. Use 5600 with 290 or 293 lam. I apply that stuff with no transfer tape and a wet suede squeegee. Keep an edge up for air to release and squeegee firm.

 

[Mosh]

..

 

[JoshLoring]

and NEVER apply wet.

+1
If you use my technique with dry installs and use a wet suede squeegee, it will glide right over the material and smooth swipes = no bubbles.

 

[HulkSmash]

Agreed. Use 5600 with 290 or 293 lam. I apply that stuff with no transfer tape and a wet suede squeegee. Keep an edge up for air to release and squeegee firm.

so do you use the lam as the "transfer tape" then trim around it? I tried that once. Worked pretty well.. it was for a few chevrons for some ambulances.. those blow

 

[JoshLoring]

so do you use the lam as the "transfer tape" then trim around it? I tried that once. Worked pretty well.. it was for a few chevrons for some ambulances.. those blow

You know what.. I only use printable 5600. So I always laminate it after printing.

I suppose if it was a standard color I would use plain xfer tape. Most likely clear do I could see pressure spots.

 

[HulkSmash]

You know what.. I only use printable 5600. So I always laminate it after printing.

I suppose if it was a standard color I would use plain xfer tape. Most likely clear do I could see pressure spots.

ok that makes sense. Typically we get 30" rolls of color reflective.. because they want the neon effect. Don't lam those.

 

[MEISTER]

We figured out that applying wet works better with tape. Didn't try it without tape yet. I will try that right now. There is a specific technique to do it with tape, very light mist of RapidTac on both surface and backing. There are still a few bubbles and cant really do anything about that.

I ask my vinyl supplier and they said that RapidTac should work well on it, but never said anything like it shouldn't be used on large graphics or anything. However they might not care and want to just make the sale. Who knows.