Question about Rapidtac II

[Ripcord]

The Rapidtac II application instructions say that the last step before removing the paper backing from a vinyl graphic should be to saturate the backing with Rapidtac II. But I'm thinking that since Rapidtac II is designed to help adhesive bond better, would that not create more of a bond between the adhesive on the backing and the vinyl graphic, making it more difficult to release?


It would seem that a better idea would be to use plain water to saturate the backing. Am I overlooking something?

 

[Techman]

the transfer paper gets soft when wet/. Has a different adhesive that doesnt like water. Makes it easier to remove.

 

[J Hill Designs]

do you mean when removing the transfer paper after install? (more of a 'fronting' than a 'backing' IMO)

if so, anything wet will work

 

[Gino]

Like mentioned, practically anything wet will work.

It's a marketing racket with that statement. You'll use it up faster if you use it to install..... and then use it again to remove. You'll be buying product almost twice as fast, huh ??

 

[Ripcord]

Like mentioned, practically anything wet will work.

It's a marketing racket with that statement. You'll use it up faster if you use it to install..... and then use it again to remove. You'll be buying product almost twice as fast, huh ??

That's what I was thinking too. They also say to clean the glass with it beforehand, but it seems Windex would be fine for that.

Has anyone used Splash? I like the idea that it's concentrated and makes a whole gallon for half the price of Rapidtac...

 

[bulldozer]

we just spray a bit of windex on it before removing tape

 

[CES020]

They also say to clean the glass with it beforehand, but it seems Windex would be fine for that.

Windex would not be fine for cleaning a window you are about to apply graphics to. RapidTac products are removing the things Windex puts on the window. There are all sorts of additives in Windex, things that aren't desirable to have a good bond.

 

[Gino]

Windex in general is a big No-No.

Splash works and you can mix it as strong or weak as you want. We usually get 3 or 4 gallons out of a little 8oz bottle.

 

[bulldozer]

never use just windex to clean the window, make sure it is ammonia free too. we windex then alcohol it clean.

 

[rjssigns]

We no longer use application fluid. 99% of our materials are air release.(makes life so much easier) If they aren't air release we just take our time. Final cleaning before install is an IPA/water mix. YMMV

 

[Ripcord]

I've been using Sprayway graphic arts glass cleaner rather than Windex to clean glass beforehand. The can says "leaves no residue" and "ammonia free."

 

[CES020]

I've been using Sprayway graphic arts glass cleaner rather than Windex to clean glass beforehand. The can says "leaves no residue" and "ammonia free."

You want to make sure it doesn't have perfumes or silicone in it, amongst other things.

In general, you don't want to use a "glass cleaner" product. I'm sure someone makes something that works well, but most of them shouldn't be used for doing what you are trying to do.

The MSDS on that product you mentioned looks like it'll work for what you are doing.

 

[Billct2]

Kinda miss Roger's rants on the subject

 

[Tony McD]

Pretty sure it didn't mean to wet the backing paper...it means to wet the application tape before you remove it from the installed graphic.
Wetting the backing paper can be a real mess.
Even a few raindrops on the backing paper can cause the wet spots to adhere to the sticky side of your decal.

I don't use wet install much anymore except for layering one color on top of another.

 

[bigben]

Windex would not be fine for cleaning a window you are about to apply graphics to. RapidTac products are removing the things Windex puts on the window. There are all sorts of additives in Windex, things that aren't desirable to have a good bond.

It's the ammonia in the windex that is not good for bonding vinyl. If you use window cleaner for automotive that do not have ammonia (to not harm tinted windows) it will be good