Random Next Day Bubbles

What's the vinyl and laminate used? What printer? How were the graphics applied?

 

Did the MaxMetal still have their plastic sheeting before application? What did you use to clean the panels? Did you ever touch the adhesive?

 

Could it of been too humid?

 

can't help. But I'm following this thread.

 

Many times, this comes from not enough pressure being used when applying the vinyl onto the substrate. What looks and appears to be totally flat, will yield little bubbles all over the place a day or so later..... even a few hours later, they might start to show up. I'd apply heat.... and a lot of it, and use a lotta elbow grease. There's no quick fix for this.

 

I never have either...That's interesting. I too will follow this thread. Applying a bunch of 3M air-release to maxmetal as we speak.

I second what Gino says about not enough pressure. I've had non-airrelase bubble up after being hit with the sun the first time...

 

You don't wipe the panels with alcohol or wax remover/degreaser?

While not an adhesive, the masking definitely leaves some kind of residue or contaminants on the surface.

 

we always clean with alcohol just to be safe. that is weird though. did you try poking with a needle or point of a blade and try and work it out that way?
do you have a laminator you can run them through. maybe heat and a few passes through the laminator will

 

Am I the only one that doesn't squeegee after mounting with a laminator? Sometimes I hit the edges but not always and haven't had any problems. It does make me a touch nervous though

 

No, you are not the only one. It would seem to be waste of effort given the superior pressure and evenness of machine mounting. We'll bray the edges with a roller, but the whole idea of using the laminator is that its superior to hand mounted for the afore mentioned reasons.

 

Did you laminate them?

 

Did you laminate them?

 

I just learned the hard way. Before lamination of any vinyl. You must let product degas let the VOC dissipate. If not that gas causes bubbles.

 

DP