One of my customers has a Van with a digital print we did (on Avery 2 mil cast). Part of the graphic runs over a contour, and is coming loose in a couple of places. All the questions about what went wrong are somewhat irrelevant now (I think there was a bit of stretching during application). My question is, can it be re-adhered with some type of adhesive and a hypo needle, or should I simply re-do that section? Have any of you ever done this kind of repair? The graphic is 8 feet long, and has three layers of cut vinyl lettering over it, but fortunately, the main problem area is an 18 inch section where the graphic is cut because of a panel in the van. I gotta do what I gotta do to make him happy. Any help is appreciated.
Posted by Scott Pagan (Member # 2507) on :
you stated the problem, bad install techinque.
now that you have a problem, try to see if this fixes it. you need to open it up and clean under it as well as you can. even try to clean any dirt or grime off the adhesive. get some of 3M's Primer 55 and glop it into the gap areas. let it dry (directions on can). then use a little heat to soften the vinyl, use the squeegee to push/strech while appling over the primer. it should hold.
[ March 18, 2004, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: Scott Pagan ]
Posted by John Stagner (Member # 4091) on :
Thanks, Scott. I'll give it a try.
Posted by Robert Lambie (Member # 4258) on :
Hi john Depending on how much dirt has got behind the recess, i don’t think it will re-tack properly mate. cut it away on each wall side of the recess near then the top. Then inlay the patch. Heat it with a heat gun afterwards. Wait tile it cool naturally then heat again until it’s as hot as hot cup of coffee. Should be fine from there.... Posted by Catalin Dretcanu (Member # 4136) on :
I'm totally agree with Robert.
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
Me three (as I believe Buckwheat once said).
Your customer's confidence has got to be somewhat shaken. As much as I bow to Scott's savvy, I don't think you want to risk another failure.
Obviously, I don't know the first thing about this particular customer or your future opportunities with them. However, I would encourage anyone to consider the LIFETIME VALUE of the customer in your decision making process...not to mention what kind of 'PR' they might provide for your firm.
Posted by Scott Pagan (Member # 2507) on :
after re-reading (after 3 dissenters) i see it's only a few layers of vinyl and not a digital print. so if it were me, sure, re-cut the vinyl patch areas, overlay, clean and install it correctly. however, if it was an image you couldn't get a patch for, the primer trick will work. keeping the customer happy without too much headache is the best bet.
edit: i guess i didn't read real good... you did say digital print. if you can't make it work, re-run a patch of the damged area and replace.
[ March 22, 2004, 09:30 AM: Message edited by: Scott Pagan ]
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