Geneva Olson
Expert Storyteller
I have a customer who is demanding lamination on his window perf. Anybody know of a good one that's a decent price?
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optically clear lamination for window perf
- Thread starter Geneva Olson
- Start date
signheremd
New Member
We use the Briteline WrapCast Optically Clear. It has a good price point. But note, no matter which brand you choose it needs some sun/heating and contracting before it looks fully applied. (In other words you will see your squeegee marks for a couple of days.)
Geneva Olson
Expert Storyteller
any experience with liquid laminate?
Boudica
I'm here for Educational Purposes
We consider 8518 optically clear, clear enough for window perf. I'll be using it tomorrow for a wrap I printed today. That said... It's currently our go -to for cast laminate, so we always have it on hand, and our local supplier stocks it.
TheAngryCanadian
New Member
Avery 1360z is least expensive optical clear cast laminate. I’m sorry 3M does notconsider 8518 optically clear. Data bulletin states it can be used on windows but that’s it. Whomever told you that ? Grimco ?
Kim Stevenson
Owner
1360z may be clear, but it has a definite color tint to it. Arlon 3200 is very nice.
Boudica
I'm here for Educational Purposes
Who are you asking? It's been stated 3 times in this thread alone that 8518 is optically clear. Data sheets say... Whatever. Professionals use it, and it works fine.
TheAngryCanadian
New Member
Yes 1360z does but so does GF242, 3m 8914 etc. all the cast lams have a tint because of the UV inhibitors in the films.
TheAngryCanadian
New Member
Um….. 3M , ask your 3M rep if you don’t believe me. I’m not saying you can’t use it. Put side by side with a true optical clear film and see for yourself.
jcskikus
Owner, Designer & Installer
ClearLam - Overlaminating Films - Products - Clear Focus Imaging
www.clearfocus.com
I've never cared for laminate on window perf (actually, I hate window perf altogether). If the window is tinted, the likelihood of the vinyl curling and failing increases tenfold. With a laminate, failure for the window perf increases. The laminate traps heat from the sun, causing aging, shrinkage, and curling. Again, if the window is tinted, this makes this occur quicker.
Most windows I cover with perf are not tinted and unlaminated. The print will fade within a year, but it will likely stay on without any issue.
Boudica
I'm here for Educational Purposes
hahahahahha. I don't need to ask anyone. We use it all the time. It works great. We have window graphics on 1/3 of our storefront using window perf, laminated with 8518. You can see out the window.
Back to the OP inquiry... She's asking for a laminate for a vehicle back window on perforated vinyl. The ratio of the perf has WAY more to do with visibility than the laminate. We use 8518 on window perf all the time. It suits the purpose, and it's a quality laminate.
Now, there are certain situations where a window covering really requires true optically clear. Been there, done that. It turned out beautifully. I'm at home, or I'd dig up the pictures... Huge windows of the downtown library, facing the River... the graphics were under water life... but with true glass clear around the graphics. It was done with some expensive vinyl to print, and laminate with TRUE optically clear. This is not what the OP needs for a rear window graphic.
Oh... and I've always talked up glass apeel, because I love the stuff. It IS truly optically clear, no laminate needed. Just need the capabilities to print in layers with white. Different subject... I digress.
Our 3M Rep, actually. 8518 adhesive has a very, very slight yellow tinge to it, thats what prevents it from being "100% optically" clear - But it is still considered an "Optically clear", And is on the 3M MCS with their window perf as being approved to use.... and actually recommended to us over 8914 for window perf.
Laminate a piece of perf with 8518 - Then laminate a piece with 8508. Put it up on the window and watch what happens... The 8508 is blurry while the 8518 is perfectly clear. Laminate a piece with 8914 and 8518...and I bet you couldnt tell the 2 apart.
They may not officially call it an optically clear film, but it's specced to be used with their window perf....
It's also specced to be used with IJ8150, their optically clear printable media (Why put a non optically clear overlam on an optically clear media? That'd defeat the purpose)
So while they may not advertise it as Optically clear... They treat it as such, and for the purpose of using it on window perf... it works just as well as a "True" optically clear.
Not saying you're wrong, technically you're right, but in the OP's use case, it makes zero difference and still meets 3M's standards.
mkmie
Lost Soul
I didn't see where Geneva says it was for a vehicle application. If it is on a vehicle it must be laminated. We use Avery 1360 but have also used 8518 when we used 3M. Both are good. If it is a storefront the least expensive optically clear that I know of is Gen Form 105, about 40 cents a s/f but that is only for windows we know are going to change out in less than two years. We always laminate our perf because it makes removal that much easier down the road. Removing unlamed perf can go bad very quickly. Just my opinion.
mkmie
Lost Soul
I haven't seen an untinted window in 20 years.ClearLam - Overlaminating Films - Products - Clear Focus Imaging
I've never cared for laminate on window perf (actually, I hate window perf altogether). If the window is tinted, the likelihood of the vinyl curling and failing increases tenfold. With a laminate, failure for the window perf increases. The laminate traps heat from the sun, causing aging, shrinkage, and curling. Again, if the window is tinted, this makes this occur quicker.
Most windows I cover with perf are not tinted and unlaminated. The print will fade within a year, but it will likely stay on without any issue.
JBurton
Signtologist
You haven't seen a cheap car in the last 20 years?
Vortex37
Laminator Whisperer
They’re mostly indoors
We only lam window perf if our customer is insistent or it’s on a vehicle. Our neighbor insisted on lam even though his window faces opposite of the afternoon sun. It’s Clear Focus Image Vue 65/35 with Curvalam and though it was streaky at first it’s been up several years now and still looks great.
We’re rocking our 8170 60/40 unlaminated facing straight into the afternoon sun, I guess in a few more years we’ll see whose looks better/comes off easier lol.