Can it be fixed?

[Hoze]

Hi guys!

I recently wrapped an entire van, and less than a month later, it started failing in some areas. Some spots are flat, while others are in the recessed sections. The application process was the same throughout, and the other side is perfect. I cleaned the surface with alcohol, the temperature was 70-ish in the garage, and there was no visible damage to the paint.

I remember having adhesion issues in certain spots. I cleaned those areas again and reheated the vinyl. Eventually, I managed to get it to stick—some areas held on their own, while others required adhesive promoter.

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated!

See attached photos.

 

[OPI_Matt]

Did you only use alcohol to clean the surface?
What type of vinyl material did you use?
Did you post heat?

The recessed areas look like it's not post heated correctly.
The bubble spots could be failed adhesive if you had adhesion problems. Adhesive got either something from the van or the surrounding environment.

 

[Ashley Smith]

I'd ask if were ever in an accident? After-market paint jobs can outgas. Those random bubbles in first two images lean toward some sort of outgas or chemical issue.
That said, the edging around the window areas looks like the vinyl was stretched and not post-heated correctly. I don't like to stretch vinyl at all if I can help it. The moment you add heat - at least in a tuck-in area - you're adding tension. Better if you're able to tuck it in with minimal (if any) heat. And be sure to post heat. It's critical. Maaaaybe you can talk him into accepting patches. You're going to need to trim that bubbly stuff out and lay some patchwork over it. Or, redo the whole side. Oof. Been there! It's no fun.

 

[Ray Miller]

I don't do much in the way of wraps, but in the beginning days of doing them it looks like when I didn't apply enough heat while doing it and afterwards. It looks like improper technique.

 

[Geneva Olson]

Check out the wrap institute for videos on how to lay down the vinyl in the recessed area. I noticed that the xfinity trucks around here are doing a different method. They make a relief cut in the perimeter of the channel.

those bubbles on the flat surface, get a popper and pop them and squeegee them out.

 

[rydods]

Propper post heating but more likely the material used, could be the issue. If it's not cast wrap media and laminate, it's still likely to fail in even those slight recessed areas if you heat and force it in or use the "palm" technique.

For the deep recessed areas, I hate doing these even with cast. In order to fix what you have, lightly trim it in the corner, heat it down and seal it with a thin matte black piece of material or sometimes I see mold and hold strips used. This looks like a commercial job and should be perfectly acceptable.