Wrap Durability

KEY TO SUCCESS

Company: Artcraft Advertising Ltd.

Project: Long-lasting wraps

Key to success: Prior to installation, not only must the vehicle’s surface be squeaky clean, but all surface waxes and/or remnants of polish compounds should be removed as well.

“Well, me don’t swim too tough, so me don’t go in the water too deep.”

—Bob Marley

Maintaining a wrap’s good looks involves some effort from the client, such as using non-abrasive cleaners, avoiding stiff-bristle cleaning brushes, and checking frequently for loose edges.

Durability of vehicle graphics is often a grey area. Some seem to last forever, others deteriorate quickly. Clients spending big money on a vehicle wrap are often concerned about this issue. The big question always is, how tough are your vehicle graphics? How deep into the warranty water should you go?

There are four factors that determine the durability of vehicle graphics:

• The quality of the mounting surface

• The quality of the graphic products used

• The installation methods used

• Maintenance of the graphic during its lifetime.

WHAT’S UNDERNEATH?

The type of surface that the graphics will be mounted to has a major, but often overlooked, role when it comes to the long-term durability of vehicle graphics. For example, if the vehicle no longer has its factory paintjob, the quality of the repaint has a major effect on the adhesion of the graphics. The graphics might stick well to the paint, but if the paint doesn’t stick to the vehicle, all is lost.

Some unpainted vehicle surfaces, such as aluminum truck boxes, stainless steel tanker bodies or fiberglass box walls, may interfere with proper adhesion as well. Some graphic films specifically void any warranties on such substrates, others recommend various surface preparation techniques before application. Check with the manufacturer and proceed with caution.

The quality of the installation will also effect a graphic’s chances at long-term durability. Careful attention to detail, making sure not to over-stretch the vinyl over curved surfaces and using a minimum of cuts and pinholes all add up to a more durable graphic.

And preparation of the mounting surface prior to installation can have a huge effect on any graphic’s durability. Not only must the vehicle’s surface be squeaky clean, but all surface waxes and/or remnants of polish compounds should be removed as well. This can be done using a clean soft cloth and rubbing alcohol. A poorly prepared mounting surface will virtually guarantee early failure of an otherwise perfect wrap.

WHAT’S ON TOP?

The single largest factor in graphic durability has to be the graphic itself. This is a complex mix of print media, ink and overlaminate. All three items have to be carefully matched for maximum compatibility. Fortunately, manufacturers usually offer recommendations on which combinations work the best for their products. Those with warranties only offer the maximum guarantees on specific tried and tested product combinations.

In the 1980s, 3M helped to popularize the vehicle wrap phenomenon with its Scotchprint process, and they have kept their momentum strong. 3M’s Controltac Graphic Film with Comply v3 Adhesive IJ180Cv3 is among the best selling products in the industry. Tim Boxeth, 3M Marketing Manager, says that it offers an expected life of eight years outdoors (unprinted). Warranties on this product range from three to five years depending on the inks and 3M overlaminates that are used. At the other end of the portfolio, they offer 3M Scotchcal Graphic Film with Comply Adhesive IJ40C for promotional vehicle graphics on flat or simple curves. Film IJ40C comes with a seven-year exterior expected life (unprinted).

Vinyl film maker Avery Dennison, another strong contender in the vehicle wraps market, offers its Integrated Component System (ICS) warranty program, which warrants Avery’s media and overlaminate while allowing the shop to choose the printer and ink combination.

In addition, Avery has partnered with Roland to produce a combination of warranted wrap solutions. Fernando Catania, Product Manager for printer maker Roland DGA Corp., says that Roland provides a premium wrap solution including vinyl and overlaminate film that features advanced adhesive technology. The complete Roland solution, which includes Roland’s ECO-SOL MAX ink, has a performance guarantee of five years.

Failures generally happen first along areas where the vinyl was stretched to conform to dramatic surface features.

Similarly, vinyl film maker Arlon offers its Arlon DPF 6000XRP film, a 2-mil gloss white cast film featuring X-scape Technology for repositionable mounting. It has a bubble release, tinted, repositionable, permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive that allows for speedy installations while maintaining high enough tack for long-term bonds. It’s rated for outdoor durability up to seven years (unprinted), depending on inks and overlaminates used.

Oracal Series 970RA Wrapping Cast with RapidAir Technology offers a way to fully wrap vehicles in solid, opaque colors. Oracal says this durable film is ideal for long-term fleet and motorsport marketing applications, and provides a lightweight, economical alternative to paint. It offers long-term removability from painted surfaces and does not require an overlaminate. The warranty is based on use and conditions.

Jason Yard of MACtac recommends its JT5529 BFD Pro series with Rayzor overlaminate. These products have a five to seven year durability rating, warranted for that time except in extreme climates. The vinyl is also warranted for two years on watercraft.

LG Hausys offers its LD823TG cast sign and graphic material, with durability up to seven years when matched with its LP80990G laminate.

Hexis offers its S5000 Series, with an eight to 10 year outdoor durability with a warranty depending on use and conditions.

Premium wrap solutions generally specify a cast overlaminate on cast film. Neschen Americas, however, has a budget-priced liquid laminate that qualifies with the Avery ICS warranty. Liquid laminates can save a lot of money, but many people are scared off by the extra equipment, mess and expertise involved. Still, new coating machines and processes have streamlined a lot of the coating processes and are worth looking at.

WHO’S BEHIND THE SQUEEGEE?

Installation techniques are another critical aspect that affect long-term durability. Manufacturers’ directions for each type of graphic material give specific instructions for installations that should be carefully followed. Special care must be taken when conforming the graphic film around complex surface shapes. These are the most likely areas to fail later. The more complex the surface, the more chances there are for tenting. The more cuts that have to be made in the graphic panel in order to make it fit the shapes, the more chances of edge failure. The more stretching that has to be done over convex shapes, the more chance of film cracking in the future. Anyway, you get the idea. Anything that you have to do to the graphic to alter its factory shape will affect long-term durability.

Wrapping over a non-painted surface can be tricky. Some surfaces, such as aluminum truck boxes, stainless steel tanker bodies or fiberglass box walls, may interfere with proper adhesion. Check with the vinyl film manufacturer and proceed with caution.

WHAT’S THE PLAN?

Maintenance after installation is the most overlooked aspect of durability for vehicle graphics. The graphics client who might never consider missing an oil change might not help his wrap continue looking its best simply because they don’t understand how to keep it safe. Keeping the vehicle clean and free from dirt, grease, salt, acid and dew build-up will help tremendously to extend the life of the wrap. The non-vertical or horizontal areas of a vehicle graphic can be the most challenging areas in which to maintain durability. Here are some post-installation precautions that can improve long-term performance:

• Cleaning the vehicle should be done with a liquid, nonabrasive cleaner that has a pH value between 3 and 11 and no strong solvents in it.

• If using a pressure washer, make sure it has less than 2,000 psi of pressure; and hold the nozzle more than 12" from the graphic surface.

• Special care has to be taken around exposed graphic edges as well. Wash the vehicle with a soft cloth or sponge, not a hard brush, and avoid excessive scrubbing.

• Checking the graphic regularly can also help to prolong its life. Loose edges should be promptly repaired using an edge seal product.

THE LONG HAUL

Vehicle graphics can last a long time, or a short time. Either option may be required on any particular project. The short-term graphic is easy, but the long-term graphic requires planning, expertise and maintenance. It involves a delicate partnership between manufacturer, producer and client, but can produce amazing results when all of the stars are aligned.

Sign & Digital Graphics

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