Has this happened to anyone? This is a back window of a van, slightly curved. We used Cast perf, with a cast laminate. Learned that after having to redo it from the first time when the installer got a bunch of wrinkles from the laminate. The cracking in the pics shown happened in a course of 3 months down here in Florida. Never seen this before. It was printed on a HP 360 Latex. Any recommendations, causes?
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Window Perf Cracking?
- Thread starter Jonas
- Start date
eahicks
Magna Cum Laude - School of Hard Knocks
You didn't specify what brand....never seen this on something that new. Maybe after a few years, in extreme temperatures. We use Clear Focus vinyl with O-290F lam and never have issues.
Also looks like you used a 60/40 perf? Best to use 50/50 for rear windows....easier to see through.
shoresigns
New Member
We had the same wrinkling problem as you when we accidentally used optically clear calendered laminate.
I wouldn't expect any cast vinyl to crack like that (someone correct me if I'm wrong), so I'd probably assume the "cast" vinyl didn't come from a major brand.
I wouldn't expect any cast vinyl to crack like that (someone correct me if I'm wrong), so I'd probably assume the "cast" vinyl didn't come from a major brand.
DougWestwood
New Member
How long was this print left to dry before it was laminated?
Even with HP latex printers, it should be at least 24 hours.
Even with HP latex printers, it should be at least 24 hours.
SignMeUpGraphics
Super Active Member
3 months... wow. We've still got some monomeric perforated out the wild 2 years old that still looks new compared to this.
I can't see how cast could do this in that amount of time other than faulty media.
I can't see how cast could do this in that amount of time other than faulty media.
printhog
New Member
dis-similar perf and laminate and RainX on the glass.. would explain both the prior issues and this.. It looks like stress cracks - the perf shrunk, but the laminate hasnt. Double check you are using cast perf by verifying the lot number with manufacturer, and use an mildly abrasive cleaner like bon ami to cut the rainX film off.
Christian @ 2CT Media
Active Member
This is so much falsitude.
Bigdawg
Just Me
I'd be curious to know what brand. We use ClearVue with 8518 lam (yes I know - not quite truly "optically clear" but it seems to be fine over the 5 years we've been doing it - actually better than the Oracal optically clear). Although it is rated for 2 years, we are lucky to get 1 out of it down here in the hot Florida sun. I've seen that cracking on a lot of vehicles down here, so it is not an uncommon problem. But we haven't personally experienced it with the combo above.
eahicks
Magna Cum Laude - School of Hard Knocks
8518? Really? No one has complained about visibility or yellowish tint?
Bigdawg
Just Me
Nope. And they keep coming back for new graphics, so it must be working for them. We were told years ago (as were many others) that 8518 was the same as the optically clear for window perf. Which is a total lie, but didn't know it then. Visibility is so-so, but the Oracal optically clear we had been using wasn't much different and we keep 8518 in stock. The majority of the window perf we do is on the back of shop trucks, and we really aren't a wrap/vehicle based shop to begin with (although we do have a few steady vehicle customers). That's a very small piece of our business since it's not our focus.
We don't push perf AT ALL because of the relatively short life of the graphics down here. I see soooooo many cars with peeling edges and cracked/baked perf that just takes away from the rest of the vehicle graphics. Personally hate the stuff and always offer an alternative, but it is what some want.
We don't push perf AT ALL because of the relatively short life of the graphics down here. I see soooooo many cars with peeling edges and cracked/baked perf that just takes away from the rest of the vehicle graphics. Personally hate the stuff and always offer an alternative, but it is what some want.
2B
Active Member
So what is the alternative you use?
I agree, the perf fails first and lowers the quality of the rest of the graphics
we always try to limit the information on the perf to ensure once it fails it can be peeled off and still have full contact on the rest of the vehicle
DougWestwood
New Member
Wow. Please do enlighten me as to what is false.
Facts work wonders. BS fall flat.
I have operated such HP printers, and have had this exact problem,
ie: material being laminated too soon after printing.
Would very much enjoy reading your long-term expertise and experience,
with the notes on how you have perfected use of the HP latex machines.
Go ahead. I'm sure we can all benefit from your amazing professionalism and prowess in the field.
Facts work wonders. BS fall flat.
I have operated such HP printers, and have had this exact problem,
ie: material being laminated too soon after printing.
Would very much enjoy reading your long-term expertise and experience,
with the notes on how you have perfected use of the HP latex machines.
Go ahead. I'm sure we can all benefit from your amazing professionalism and prowess in the field.
Christian @ 2CT Media
Active Member
Seeing as I have owned HP Latex printers Since the L25500 was released and was one of the first owners in Arizona, I can attest to the fact that you can literally laminate a print straight off the printer with no adverse effects. We have owned every generation since the 25500. In fact I just removed a wrap that we did in November of 2011 that was laminated immediately after printing.
The most important thing with the HP is to have a good print profile with the right temperatures.
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DougWestwood
New Member
Funny. I operated the big brother, the 28500, for approx 2.5 years, and we had many issues with lamming too fast.
We went through many different profiles, both with the sales person, and then for real, in actual usage.
Wasn't confined to one material or one maker. Room was temperate and fully enclosed, no windows or exposed outer walls.
In fact, i was actually teaching the salesperson how to adjust profiles.
Sometime, you will encounter it with your HP.
Sincerely, Good Luck!
- Doug
We went through many different profiles, both with the sales person, and then for real, in actual usage.
Wasn't confined to one material or one maker. Room was temperate and fully enclosed, no windows or exposed outer walls.
In fact, i was actually teaching the salesperson how to adjust profiles.
Sometime, you will encounter it with your HP.
Sincerely, Good Luck!
- Doug
Christian @ 2CT Media
Active Member
Did you ever build your own profiles and set your own printer settings from scratch, no canned start?
Christian @ 2CT Media
Active Member
Although the briteline is listed as a cast we have noticed very calendared properties to it much like the 3M 8508... although I don't know if that is the issue I just wanted to give you a heads up.
Also due to the nature of window perf 1+ years is good even laminated... you guys get the same type of sun as we do and the UV exposure is really high.