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I used 3M 7125 on a stainless steel fuel tanker and the customer is complaining about peeling from the top of some letters. I sent pictures to 3M and they said it looked like fuel over spilling onto the letters since it is a top load fuel tanker and causing them to peel. 3M also said only the Controltac 181 is warranted for stainless steel, but still not covered in this situation with fuel spilling over onto the vinyl. Has anyone else run into this problem? I realize the fuel is going to damage the vinyl, but not sure what others are using for vinyl on stainless or if edge sealing is used? I have to figure out what to do with this one and those in the future. It's my understanding that fumes can damage the vinyl too because they are heavier than air and float down on the vinyl. There are a lot of fuel tankers out there with lettering on them, just wondered what will work best.
Thank you, Pam Pam's Signs
-------------------- Pam Eddy Niles, MI ple@qtm.net Posts: 460 | From: Michigan | Registered: Dec 2000
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I am thinking that a WHOLE lotta fuel spilt on there. Because I have had a vehicle wrapped since 2001 and yeah, spilt gas on it by accident lots. Never had a problem. Mind you, it is wrapped, not lettering. So there are no edges per say. And as soon as you get any chemical under an edge, it's screwed. I don't care what kind of vinyl it is.m
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
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I wish I could do a solid wrap on these trucks. That would fix the problem with all the exposed edges of vinyl lettering. I wonder if an edge sealer would help some. Fuel is fuel though.
Thanks for the post. Maybe I can talk them into a wrap. What material are you using for wraps?
-------------------- Pam Eddy Niles, MI ple@qtm.net Posts: 460 | From: Michigan | Registered: Dec 2000
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its kinda like playing rock, paper, sissors. FUEL is a petrochemical. VINYL is made from that. as an old sign painter, auto body guy......its all in the range of temperatures of these chemicals, VINYL being a solid product(low temp) and FUEL being the liquid(higher temps) or vehicle state. best thing you can do is not pt vinyl in the path of an area where it might get FUEL spilled on it.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thank you everyone. The employee told the company they should find someone else to do their trucks from now on because my work peels off in less than a year.
With a statement from 3M and the experienced professional opinions posted here, I can give this information to management and they can decide what they want to do.
Thank you for your time and input on this subject.
Pam
-------------------- Pam Eddy Niles, MI ple@qtm.net Posts: 460 | From: Michigan | Registered: Dec 2000
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i worked with fuel trucks in the air force 1965-1969. this was years before vinyl and all the lettering on the tanks were PAINT or full reflective stickers. the one thing we never did...WAS TO PAINT LETTERING OR APPLY A STICKER TO the area on both sides....that would get FUELS spilled on it when filling the tank at its center top fill point!!!!!! ANYONE WHO DONT KNOW THIS and works around these tanks....ITS THEIR PROBLEM not yours.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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And then there is the issue if the high pressure washing. The person doing the washng get too close with the water and blows everything of the vehicle, including vinyl lettering.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3812 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Everyone knows not to spill gas on their Harley tank or the paint on their car/pickup.
Yes, Alicia, most times when there is a complaint about peeling, it's because the employee pressure washed the lettering off. Whether it's vinyl or hand painted, it's coming off because of the blast they are getting. One complaint was on the window of a mini van, she used an ice scraper across the lettering.
I thought about writing up a sheet on the do's and don'ts of vehicle lettering care, but the list would be too long and still something would come up that I missed.
-------------------- Pam Eddy Niles, MI ple@qtm.net Posts: 460 | From: Michigan | Registered: Dec 2000
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Don't write a list of do's and don'ts Pam - nobody reads it anyway. What works best for me is to tell the owner - right after the application and payment is received, "If you power wash, or scrape this graphic off, I can re-do it, but I will have to charge you for it." I know this works. Do Not be afraid to say it. I agree with not designing or applying graphics where gas or solvents will constantly spill on it. I don't know what your design is, or if the company designed it, but there must be a way to design around the spill area. Give it a good try. Hope this helps in some way!
-------------------- Kathy Weeks Weeks-End Signs & Graphics Lake Elmo, Minnesota Posts: 249 | From: Lake Elmo, Minnesota | Registered: Mar 2009
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Fuel and feed trucks have nasty surfaces. I'll never guarantee a truck that has been contaminated on the surface so I let them know it's at their risk. I also recommend they get the surface professionally detailed if I can't get it off with my regular cleaners.
When I get small decals digitally printed, I ensure they're laminated which appears to help, even with a 2 mil vinyl.
I've only done one feed truck gone wrong and that was all I needed in order to put the above in place. Some of that stuff simply won't come off. At all... ever.
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