FX outdoor print life?

[MCV]

I know Gerber states FX prints will last 3 to 5 years outdoors, but is this realistic? I have heard some say 2 to 3 years with no lam or abrasion guard and let say I add the AG can I tell my customers to expect 5 years. Just want to relay accurate real world information.

 

[Fred Weiss]

My experience has been 24 to 48 months when printed on high performance cast vinyl depending on colors and sun exposure. Printing on intermediate, calendared film, I have seen as little as two months. The resins evidently get along a lot better with some films than with others.

We use the Duracoat UV/Abrasion Guard on all our outdoor prints and have not seen a print fade out since we started using it except for two different jobs both ruined by a detailer with an electric buffer. The damage wasn't immediately apparent but a loss of about 75% occurred withing two weeks. Duracoat estimates that using their UV/AG will add 12 to 18 months to the life of a print in outdoor use.

 

[baxter gamble]

Sun is going to be a big factor. We are in Alaska and I see 3 good years with lamination and then you go downhill fast. Laminate your work and you can at least double the life expectancy. I have vehicle decals that are over 10 years old and still look great. Horizontal work will fade much faster than vertical due to the amount of UV it receives.

 

[gabagoo]

My experience has been 24 to 48 months when printed on high performance cast vinyl depending on colors and sun exposure. Printing on intermediate, calendared film, I have seen as little as two months. The resins evidently get along a lot better with some films than with others.

We use the Duracoat UV/Abrasion Guard on all our outdoor prints and have not seen a print fade out since we started using it except for two different jobs both ruined by a detailer with an electric buffer. The damage wasn't immediately apparent but a loss of about 75% occurred withing two weeks. Duracoat estimates that using their UV/AG will add 12 to 18 months to the life of a print in outdoor use.

Fred , you serious 2 months? on calendered? sounds odd. I have seen calendered decals last up to at least 3 years, maybe not in full southerly sun, but they do last.

 

[Fred Weiss]

Fred , you serious 2 months? on calendered? sounds odd. I have seen calendered decals last up to at least 3 years, maybe not in full southerly sun, but they do last.

I saw it on signature decals we put on vehicles we decorate. We tried on run on Oracal 651 and three were half faded out in less than three months. So unless they we all subjected to brushing or buffing, my conclusion stands for me. We use 651 for printed mags but we use UV Guard and we typically see 2 to 4 years with that addition.