I approached a potential customer because the Etched vinyl on his tented windows was peeling off. (factory tent) He told me that it had been applied just a couple of weeks ago and when it rains, it just starts falling off. Hmmm? He said that he was taking it back and his sign guy was gonna re-do it. Then I saw him a couple of weeks later and indeed it was re-done, but in Sparcal, Gemlites. And it was also peeling. Hmmmmmmmm? I suggested that he stop by my shop and I'd apply a test sample in high performance, white. (the freshest stuff I've got) I cleaned the surface with alcohol before applying and squeegeed the poop out of it. It's been 3 weeks since I applied the test sample (in the same typestyle) and it is also starting to peel...
Typestyle: Park Avenue (Ahh-Ha?)
He said he waited a couple of weeks before washing it with a soft cloth and hadden't ever applied Rain-X to that window. (window is stationary)
Someone told me that possibly there is some sort of factory sealer on the window and to use "KleenStrip" adhesive and stripe remover. Has anyone heard of that?
Needless to say, I'm apprehensive about taking this job on... (supposed to be several vehicles down the road)
Anything on this subject will be helpful and confidence building. I hope...
Thanks, Cher.
------------------ Cheryl Lucas Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc. Cape Coral, Florida VSignsNgraphics@aol.com
Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
Hi Cheryl
I would have thought the Alcohol would have done the trick.
The paint stripers might work.
I think I would try Easy off Oven Cleaner next, then clean off the oven cleaner risdue with Bon-Ami.
Be very careful with the overspray and the mess.
------------------ Go Get 'Em..... :) AKA Raptorman on #Letterheads mIRC Chat Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Proud 2-yr. $upporter of this Web Site (May 1999-May 2001)
Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :
if it has ever had rain-x applied you may have a problem. it could have been applied by a detailer at the dealer
------------------ Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 164 Poplar Rd. Commerce, Ga 30529 706-335-2348 Fax 706-335-3378 icq#11718273
Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :
Cheryl, I agree with the post about the rain-ex. Thats probably why the vinyl won't stick. Remember that the "tent" is on the inside where no rain-ex has gone before. I have used Kleen Strip Graphic & adhevise remover. It sells for 1/2 the price of 3M remover. I can say that will be your best bet, but 8 bucks will give you a try.
If you have some of that already you may as well use it.
Rain-X is a silicone based product, as is the coating many automakers put on their glass.
using rapid prep will also remove it.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics Lake Havasu City, AZ http://www.stickerpimp.com
Posted by Bill Biggs (Member # 18) on :
I find that laquer thinner on a towel will clean most windows till they squeak. Try it but don't get it on anything but the glass. Bill
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud second year Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobeesusa@netscape.net
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Dear Cheryl, If you find the need in your life at this time to joust with a windmill, then go for it. If you need to make a living...pass on it. A few years ago I got a job to do some seven inch two tone gold with embellished centers and abalone and outlines and shade and this was for five windows. My dream job! Been waiting years for this job. I think it was once rain-ex'd or some similar type product. Never got that job to work. I cleaned the class with so many types of cleaners and did them in sections and all the tests failed. Acetone, alcohol, three micron alumina powder, bon ami, and a few others. My conclusion is that glass has pores, and that crap gets in them. The cleaners prep the surface, but the stuff in the pores leaches out.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
is this wibdow in a high traffic area and close to the road? ive run into this with paint not stickin...you really have to break the coating of road grim(road oil, car exhaust, diesel exhaust and all the other chemicals that are air born) acetone and steel wool, then mineral sprits, then 409 or power clean, then windex ...if the window dont "squeek" when you clen it...it aint clean....sometimes the cleanin of the window cost more then the letterin...
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posted by Robert Thomas (Member # 1356) on :
Hey Cheryl, Sorry I missed you last week. I had the same problem here in Naples a few years ago, evidently the window washers are using a silicon in the window washing fluid, so nothing would stick, makes their job easier. I tried everything on it, then used wax and silicon remover, and that finally worked. Try rapid prep or an automotive wax and silicon remover on an are and see if the vinyl will stick. Cheers, Robert
------------------ Robert Thomas Creative Signs In Beautiful Naples, Fl.
Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
I can assure you that I'm not gonna chase after this one and I feel for the sign guy whose already done the job over and over... I keep running into this guy (the potential customer) at the local 7-11 and he knows where my shop is, so this may not be over yet!
Sorry Dave, but I can't imagine pulling out the 'oven cleaner'. lol Looks like this guy takes pride in his vehicle, although scaring him with a trusty can of "EASY OFF" might be the best way out of this one. (I have used it on boat transoms.)
Thanks EVERYONE!
Cher.
Robert, I'll be heading to beautiful Naples in a couple of weeks.
------------------ Cheryl Lucas Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc. Cape Coral, Florida VSignsNgraphics@aol.com
(supposed to be several vehicles down the road) 
