Paint Considerations

The following paints may not allow the adhesive on our vinyl to work properly and your design could fall off or not look right:

AVOID USE WITH THE FOLLOWING PAINTS:

• Matte Paint
• Oil-Based Paints
• Paints that contain anti-graffiti agents or stain blockers
• "Green," Earth-friendly, or VOC-Free paints, which can repel the vinyl's adhesive (see below for options with using VOC-free paint)

Recommendations:

• Latex is best
• Stick with name brands
• Go for high quality
• Smooth, semigloss or gloss enamel paint types are ideal

Because of all the variables with the many types of paint available, you may experience difficulty installing your vinyl. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND testing your wall for compatibility. We send sample words in a test strip for this purpose. After preparing the wall’s surface (instructions below), wait 30 min before removing test strip. 24 hours is best. (A quick tack is not a good indicator of actual tackiness.)

Testing Your Surface:

Locate and use the test strip that came with your order or your free color samples for the following steps. Keep in mind, vinyl decals can only be applied successfully to surfaces that have been prepared properly; and are clean, dry, smooth and non-porous.

• Step 1. Remove dust prior to installation.
• Step 2. Follow application Instructions sent with your color samples or your vinyl decal up to the “remove transfer tape” Step.
• Step 3. Leave the transfer tape on the wall for at least 30 minutes after burnishing. This gives the adhesive on the vinyl a chance to activate and bond with the paint.
• Step 4. Remove the transfer tape by slowly and carefully peeling off the transfer tape at an angle.
• Step 5. Leave the test strip on the wall overnight or for 24 hours. Look for signs of lifting, bubbling, or letters falling off.

If your vinyl wall decal has lifted or bubbled after these steps, it is very likely your wall is not compatible with the vinyl’s adhesive.

Using "Green," "Earth-Friendly" or VOC-FREE Paint- There is still a possibility we can get this to work

The vinyl manufacturers (this is an industry-wide dilemma) have outlined the following steps for walls with paint/vinyl issues.

WARNING: When considering using the following instructions, keep in mind that a change in the pigment, look, sheen and or texture of the wall may occur.

DO THE FOLLOWING AT YOUR OWN RISK:

• Test an inconspicuous area with the isopropyl alcohol. If the cloth comes away clean, proceed. If there is any “bleed” do not use this method on your wall.
• Using 70% Isopropyl Alcohol, add a small amount of alcohol to a soft, clean white cloth; wipe down the wall in the area where the decal is to go. (Isopropyl primes the paint. Wiping it down two times is best.)
• Wipe with a firm pressure to really get the paint primed.
• Let dry for several minutes.
• Apply test strip as outlined above.
• If test strip stays well for 24 hours, you may try the same techniques before applying your purchased decal.