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Dirt under lamination after application of decal

Almost a year after applying a van wrap with decals, the decals on the hood has dirt around the edges between the lamination and vinyl. Does anyone know why this may be happening? Did it not cure properly? Is it the material? We use 3m IJ35C-10 matched with Briteline OLUV-GLS54. Any help is appreciated
 

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TEN

Premium Subscriber
I suggest using cast vinyl and laminate for vehicle graphics. Horizontal surfaces such as hoods and roofs will not have anywhere near the same longevity as vertical surfaces. The vinyl, laminate or both are failing in this pic.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 2 users

JSIGN

New Member
It's uniform, so the product is failing.
Even when we use 3M IJ180 with premium 8519 laminate 3M will only warranty the application for one year if it is more than a 7 degree angle.
 
  • Agree
  • Informative
Reactions: 2 users

JSIGN

New Member
Truth is that in NJ when we use 3M IJ180 with premium 8519 laminate hood graphics seem to go 4-6 years before there is noticeable degradation - but I still warn customers that 3M only gives one year warranty on applied surfaces over 7 degrees.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 user

Superior_Adam

New Member
using non matching materials is the first problem. Non cast vinyl is the next. The shrink rate between the 3M and Briteline are going to be different. Especially on hoods use cast vinyl and matching lam.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 4 users

RighteousDude

New Member
mixing briteline lam with 3m vinyl is wild... don't do that. As Superior_Adam mentioned, the shrink rate of your laminate not matching shrink rate of your vinyl is almost definitely the culprit here, or at the very least, it's a part of the problem. Some people say to never do calendered vinyl on hoods/roofs, which is sort of a valid argument, but that's not an absolute rule... I've done calendered hood graphics for many people over the last 20 years when they specifically request it for economical purposes and while they don't last as long as the cast, getting 2 years out of them is normal (usually longer than 2)... you're saying this is just 1 year old, so it shouldn't be a material issue (but I never use briteline, I touched it once and hated it, had no confidence in it). Also of note is the risk that the client is getting a little too aggressive with cleaning and using harsh chemicals which are penetrating the edge of the laminate or nearly-point-blank pressure washing, which is what this looks like to me with laminate edge having dirt shoved into it from poor cleaning practices... believe it not, I've had customers come back to me and admit to cleaning their vehicles with things like 409 and Simple Green smh
 
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Reactions: 1 user

2B

Active Member
Horizontal surface
NON Cast material
* Especially the Lamination


There are solid colors; you are better off using plotter / color vinyl for a hood installation
751 & 951 hold up well with direct sun exposure
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 users
Thank you to everyone who took the time to help, we appreciate it greatly and will follow the advice of using a cast vinyl with matching lam.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 user
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