Application Tips for Successful Wall Graphics
Interior wall graphics pose some unique challenges. Here we look at the materials, challenging surfaces and some tips for successfully applying self-adhesive vinyl wall graphics.
Choosing the Right Material:
There are two key features interior wall installations require, generally a material with a matt finish and also a special adhesive designed to adhere to acrylic painted surfaces.
The matt finish is important because interior lighting can result in glare on traditional glossy vinyl surfaces, affecting the visual appeal.
As well as complete wall coverage, wall words are very popular and glare is undesirable as it affects readability.
Adhesive is the other critical element. Most walls are painted with an acrylic paint which contains non-stick additives such as Teflon.
These paints are designed to prevent things sticking to the wall – Therefore the need to use a material with an adhesive designed specifically for this purpose.
WALLTEX 101 and WallART Smooth WA20 are both designed for interior wall applications making these the ideal choice. STUX is a great choice for particularly challenging surfaces such as those on hoardings.
Surface Challenges
Self-adhesive printable films were designed to replace paint in commercial signage, so they’re made to adhere to standard industry substrates like glass, aluminium, and plastics. These all have very smooth surfaces that produce a good bond between the substrates and the vinyl’s adhesive.
Putting these films on interior painted walls is a little more challenging. It is important to understand what kinds of walls will and won’t work with vinyl graphics.
Texture
Applying vinyl to rough or porous surfaces seriously degrades adhesive abilities. Textured and painted walls present some of the toughest challenges. The rougher the surface, the weaker the adhesive bond will be.
Unsealed concrete walls present a different challenge. While they are not that rough, they are very porous.
Getting graphics to stick to such walls requires the use of a vinyl with a unique ultra-aggressive adhesive like Neoprint SS1000 Concrete Vinyl or ALUTEX AT12 Heavy Textured Conformable Aluminium Foil.
Painting - This is Important!
Acrylic paint is the most popular interior wall paint in Australian homes and offices and is more porous and not particularly suitable for vinyl graphic application. Most acrylic paints have a Teflon based surface protector which by nature resists adhesives.
This is why we recommend specially designed products from our WALLART range of vinyls. All WALLART products have a unique adhesive designed to adhere to the Teflon protectant surface of acrylic based wall paints. Supatac STUX also meets these challenges.
Always ensure that all paint has completely cured for at least 2 weeks prior to installing any graphics.
Paints that are not fully cured will release solvents which will damage the adhesive of the media causing it to fail. Remember – Dark colours take a lot longer to cure than whites and beiges.
Surfaces can be prepared using a product such as Seal and Bond Special Primer. Available as a spray aerosol, applying it significantly increases the bonding capabilities of vinyls.
Enamel is actually the most suitable because, like glass and aluminium, it provides a smooth, non-porous surface, however enamel is rarely used for interior wall painting.
Plasterboard
Another consideration is the plasterboard underneath the paint. Underlying problems can lead to vinyl failure and can be difficult to spot.
Moisture behind a plasterboard wall can cause the paper layer to release from the plasterboard core or even spread to the adhesive causing the vinyl to come away from the wall.
Watch for walls that back on to cooling systems, water pipes, overhead windows or boarded-up windows. These areas are prone to condensation that may not be obvious at the time of installation.
Surface Preparation for Applying Wall Graphics
Surface preparation is a key factor when installing any graphic, particularly so in the case of wall graphics.
Dust and surface grime on a surface will create adhesion issues during and after application.
A textured wall can hide enough accumulated dust to cause the vinyl to adhere only temporarily. If you apply a wall graphic and it falls off the wall within the first 24 hours, dust may be the cause.
Fortunately, this problem is easily avoided. Wipe down the wall area with a dry tack cloth or a lint-free cloth before installation to make sure it’s clean and dust free.
Seal and Bond Special Primer is ideal for preparing, or priming surfaces, available as a spray aerosol, applying it significantly increases the bonding capabilities of vinyls. It combats the properties of Teflon and is a great time saver.
Outgassing
This is the important one that so many people just don't do!
If printing your media with a solvent or eco solvent printer, ensure that you allow at least 48 - 72 hours (depending on ink coverage) for the print to fully cure prior to cutting through bleed or installing graphics.
Contact us if you're not sure which product is best suited to the unique surface you are working with. We can recommend a solution for any application ... horizontal or vertical!
Source: https://www.cphgroup.com.au/blog/23-digital-media/112-walls_1
Related Products:
STUX Supatac UltraTac Xtreem High Tack Vinyl
Neoprint SS1000 Concrete Vinyl
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