Question Wet application of 3M 180-mc. OK, or bad idea?

You should never use a wet application with an air egress media. The channels trap the liquid. I don’t recall if 180-MC is air egress though.

 

+1, do not mix wet with airchannels.


With proper registration markers, you will get perfect alignment.

 

Why not use 7125? almost all the 180MC colors are available non air release.

 

7725 is the cast stuff, isn't it?

 

Ah, yes, I hate the stuff on the blue(was it blue or pink?) liner with a passion.

 

7125 is the same face stock as 180mc but not air release.

 

7125 is on a white paper liner. 7725 is the exact same as 7725, just on a plastic liner... It's superior for cutting small text, and good if you're trying to align multiple colors since it's a see through backer... But that's about it, both are cast and use the same adhesive. Not worth the premium if you don't need it.

As others have said... No liquids when using air egress. I'd find the matching Color in the 77xx series and use that if you want wet positionability .

 

When we do vinyl over vinyl for outlines we just trim the carrier close to the letter, especially around the first and last letters, and along the top and bottom straight letters. Then tape it on and apply with hinge method. Do it day in and day out with no misregistration. This was the normal way to do everything before everything became a wrap.

 

I was spoiled when I first learned vinyl as a whole, so everything was 3m 7725. I very much prefer it from the way premask doesn't tend to absorb so much moisture (or maybe that the carrier absorbs no moisture) after it's been masked, the way the backer keeps the plotter blade from dulling as fast, and the way you can weed it super aggressively without tearing the backer. Also the alignment is nice, but I prefer cutting two mating shapes out and nesting them together as a wet install for the second. This is some 7725 and the translucent equivalent. Yes, I could print it, but I can't give any sort of warranty that touches 3m's cut vinyl warranty.