By signcraft
Posted on Sunday, January 19th, 2025
A reader wants to know: “In November 2023, we installed perforated vinyl with clear gloss laminate on the rear windows of a van. We purchased the prints from a major supplier of digital printing. One year later, the edges had begun to peel up.
“What caused this? Is there a way to save the job, or do I have to replace the prints and use 3M Edge Sealer? Are there recommendations that will prevent this from happening in the future?”
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Best Option is to trim the 1WV print a couple of mm in from the edge of the window…and 3M edge sealing is always a good idea. I tape around the edge of the 1WV (@5mm) and edge seal…just makes it look neat and then I know this won’t happen.
With the window that is already peeling, you can trim the peeling section off back to the vinyl that hasn’t failed. If this is too much…I have in the past cleaned the dust off the back (as best you can) of the failed section, masked up the area around it…and spray the back with spray adhesive and reapply…surprisingly, this worked. So, these options may be your best options to try first to see if this is a fix.
we trim in a quarter of an inch from edge and then use clear edge sealing tape. Half on the window, half on the perf film
^ This is the right answer. We have Window vision in the field for years using this method. We use .5″ strips of 3M 8519. Works like a dream
Im sure I don’t have all of the answers, but I have experienced all of the problems.I think this is considered a 1 year product, you would be lucky to see 2 in new condition.
We use laminates specifically for window perf with some conformability. The edges have to be trimmed VERY tightly, and following the very slight bevel that the window glass has. Otherwise there will be a ‘flap’ hanging over, even if very small, that will take in weather and start the curling process. I have used edge tape which lasts a while, but doesn’t look as good because you have to cut the perf back far enough to apply the tape equally to the print and the flat glass, again with NO overhang of the edge.
I have used a SEAL-IT pen, but not sure that enough of the sealer comes out to do the job. Edge sealer may be best but a bit challenging to apply.
I always tell the client it is a 1 year product. If the perf is used as part of an overall wrap, it is only fair to tell the client in advance what to expect, and to plan for replacing the perfs a couple of times during the life of the remaining wrap.
Hope this helps.
Kevin at Etc Graphics.
There are a few things that we do to be aware of first extreme cleanliness using primer. Also we use the proper Perf that is made for vehicles not flat glass. You also wanna make sure that the lamination I’m assuming being used is optically clear cast. Try to always make sure you have your edges trimmed in a bevel so there is no possible catch when the customer is washing the vehicle. ** most importantly make sure they’re not going through a car wash.**
Since some smart people have already commented on the ‘fixes’….I will start with an old principle. If this may only last a year, then WHY? is it perf?
Really, from the drivers seat, you can’t see out. Maybe a shadow of a person walking behind, but that’s it. Unless your nose is inches from the window, the perf lets in some light, but that’s it….and it generally spoils the look of the text or graphics that run thru it!
I would suggest solid vinyl over the windows…and if some visibility is crucial, design a dark panel across the bottom of the glass…. so it can be left clear!
Sounds like to me the glass might have been treated with Rain-X water repellent. I had an issue with cut vinyl lettering coming off a side vehicle glass window years ago after only being on the glass a few months. I was informed by new client that her windshield was never treated with Rain-X and that no automotive pre-paint surface cleaners, lacquer thinners or alcohol would get rid of it. Guess what? She was right.
My advice, never guarantee any graphics applied to glass. Never know how the glass was treated before the vehicle owner took possession
Just a thought, perhaps a solution.
J.Fred Witmer
It looks like you’ve trimmed the vinyl up onto the black window moulding, that’s a no no and probably what caused the edge to fail. Follow the well thought out suggestions in the other comments in order to try and save it and keep doing your homework to prevent this from happening again. Good luck.
Over the years, I have found that I get best results when I…
Clean the window thoroughly with denatured alcohol paying special attention to the edges
Paint Probond Adhesive remover on the edge of the glass and about an inch into the face surface
When I cut the laminated perf, I offset my cut so I can slightly wrap the vinyl around the window glass on windows like those with exposed edges
I heat the vinyl and tuck around the edge with a felt edge squeegie and find that the cast laminate keeps a nice rollover to avoid peel out.
I am not saying this is the only way, or even the “Correct” way, but I have trucks with perf that are out there for over 6 years now and learned this technique over 15years.