bubbles on plexi

[ozpall]

hello guys, how can i install this vinyl so i don't get so many bubbles?
you can see on the pics the kind of squeegee i'm using.
thanks for any help,

 

[Gino]

You need to float it on with liquid.

 

[JBurton]

Also, kindly weld all those script letters together so you don't have all those intersected bits left inside the letters. Use the gold squeegee and some rapid tac if you have it, or some baby shampoo in some odd concoction.

 

[weyandsign]

A larger 12" squeegee with a grip handle also helps reduce the bubbles

 

[GaSouthpaw]

Use application fluid.

 

[bob]

Bubbles, such as shown in your photos are almost always the result of poor squeegee technique.

 

[signheremd]

hello guys, how can i install this vinyl so i don't get so many bubbles?
you can see on the pics the kind of squeegee i'm using.
thanks for any help,

That looks like it was squeegeed too quickly. First clean the panel, then use Rapid Tac or Right On to lay it wet, as you squeegee make sure you advance only one third of a squeegee width at a time, feel for bumps/air bubbles and firmly push those to an edge, once it is down let it set for a few minutes so the adhesive and Rapid Tac can react, then lightly spray/mist the application tape and use your hand to make sure all of it is covered, let set for a minute and the application tape adhesive will soften and it will come up more readily, wipe up any leftover wetness.

Biggest mistake people make when squeegeeing is not overlapping passes enough. When you move fast and overlap little invariably you end up trapping air (moisture when laying it wet) between the passes. 3M recommends advancing 1/3 of a squeegee width with each pass. That is a good method as in reality as you speed up the amount of overlap ends up being reduced.

 

[ozpall]

thank you all very much! i will order some rapid tac.

 

[Stacey K]

thank you all very much! i will order some rapid tac.

In the meantime, you can use a spray bottle of water and add 3-4 drops of Dawn dish soap. I have been using that for many years. I have not used baby shampoo but if JBurton uses it then it works also.

 

[JBurton]

I have not used baby shampoo but if JBurton uses it then it works also.

Fortunately I always have a gallon or 4 of rapidtac handy. This was just what I've always been told, mix a few drops of baby shampoo and some amount of alcohol into water. Never tried it personally!

 

[Mr.Signboy]

Fortunately I always have a gallon or 4 of rapidtac handy. This was just what I've always been told, mix a few drops of baby shampoo and some amount of alcohol into water. Never tried it personally!

I prefer rapid tac, but I always have a small bottle of baby shampoo in my install kit in case I run out. It works well if you need it.

 

[unmateria]

Hi! Just water with some drops of neutral soap (for skin or hands). Dont use detergents or dish wash soaps since they have tensioactives and can make very weird things (surfactants?) when the temperature changes fast (they usually become hard and white)