By signcraft
Posted on Monday, March 23rd, 2026
Shortly after a reader applied a cut vinyl logo on a customer’s office wall, the graphics began to peel off. The sign maker then learned that the area for the sign had been painted with a “stain and dirt resistant paint.” She explained to the customer that the paint was also resisting the adhesive.
She advised the customer to prime the area then paint it with gloss or semi-gloss paint. After the paint had cured for two weeks, she would apply the graphics.
When the installer reapplied the graphics, he squeegeed it down thoroughly, used a heat gun to warm the graphics, then squeegeed again. But within a few days, the graphics were peeling. The reader would like to know if others have encountered this and how they dealt with it.
You can see what readers have to say below or post a comment of your own. Please log in to comment—it lets us minimize spam comments.
We received this comment from Stuart Wright, Sign Related, Queanbeyan NSW, Australia, via email:
I see two problems here. First, the wall is very rough. The texture will cut down the amount of surface area for the film to apply on. Second is the choice of film. If they’re using normal cast film, it will only have a 50/50 chance of good adhesion—regardless of the wall. It would have a better chances of it sticking if the surface was both glossy and flat, but it would still be “iffy.” In my opinion, would eventually fail in the long term.
The remedy? Use a low energy film, like a high tack. It will require printing though.