3M Envision Wrap Film

These instructions are provided for our customers that want to install their own adhesive sign graphics. Tools you will need: Scissors, Xacto knife or razor blade, soft squeegee or paper to protect the image (hard squeegee will damage the print), and masking tape.

General Notes

• If applying a graphic that is not laminated, use a soft squeegee or protect the image with paper during installation to prevent damage to the printed image.
• Recommended air and surface application temperatures: Flat surface: 40F -100F, Curves or corrugations with rivets: 50F - 100F, Compound Curves and/or watercraft: 60F - 90F
• Wind or wind gusts will cause problems.

Surface Preparation

• All surfaces should be considered dirty and must be cleaned prior to installation. Clean the area where the graphics are to be applied with a household, non-ammonia based cleaner. We recommend an alcohol based cleaner such as denatured alcohol or equivalent. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
• Air and surface temperatures must be above 46 degrees

Applying the Adhesive Graphics

• Position your graphic in the desired location and tack into place on each end with small pieces of masking tape.
• Peel back about 2” of the release liner away from the top edge on the adhesive side of your graphic.
• Cut that section of the release liner off and discard.
• Squeegee down the exposed edge of the graphic starting from the center and working towards the edges. Let the squeegee cause the contact with the mounting surface and brush from the center outward using overlapping 45 degree angled strokes.
• Flip the graphic up, or have an assistant hold it up and start to peel back the remaining release liner.
• Pull back a few inches of the release liner at a time and squeegee the graphic into place using the same technique as above.
• If you get an air bubble, you can either lift the decal enough to release the air, or if the bubbles are not too large, you can pop them with a pin and squeegee the bubble toward the pin hole to squeeze out the air.
• Once the entire decal is applied, squeegee the entire decal once more to ensure a firm bond with the surface.

Care and Maintenance

Vehicle graphics that are located in industrialized, heavily polluted or low lying areas are prone to damage from the “fallout” phenomenon. Vehicle graphic owners in these areas should frequently rinse the graphics with a mild soap-and-water mixture.

The following practices will help maintain the life and quality of the film:

• Wash applied graphics with a blend of clean water and a mild car wash, detergent (ie: Dawn®, Joy®, or Ivory®).
• Test any cleaning solution on a small section of the graphic before using.
• Always read the warning labels on car care products for proper safety instructions.
• Once you’ve washed the vehicle with the soapy water blend, rinse it with clean water.
• Either let the vehicle air dry or use a microfiber cloth.
• Once dry, for added protection, you can apply a silicone or Teflon-based polish designed for vinyl graphics.
• When normal cleaning procedures don’t work to remove difficult debris from your applied vehicle graphics, try spot cleaning the area with a microfiber cloth and isopropyl alcohol. If necessary, moisten a rag with a citrus-based cleaner and naphtha and wipe down the problem areas. Immediately rinse the area with a blend of water and soap.

Things To Avoid

Indications of vinyl failure can include loss of gloss level, fading, embrittling, cracking, chipping, or peeling around graphic edges. The following practices will result in deterioration of the film:

• Do not allow fuels to stay in contact with the graphics for extended periods of time. Clean all spills as soon as possible.
• Do not use automated car washes, truck washes using caustic cleaners, or pressure washers to clean your vehicle.
• Do not apply carnauba-based wax over graphics.
• Do not use mechanical brush washing.

Pressure washing should only be used when no other cleaning methods are available. Keep the following in mind while performing this type of cleaning:

• Repeated pressure washing can cause the graphics to lift around the edges and peel away from the vehicle, especially if the spray is at a sharp angle to the graphic edge.
• Over time, repeated pressure washing can degrade the face film, causing the graphic to lose its luster, fade, crack and even chip away from the substrate.

To prolong the life of the applied vehicle graphic when choosing to pressure wash, consider the following (based on vertical application):

• Water Temperature: 67°F-77°F
• Spray nozzle opening: 40° wide pattern.
• Spray angle: 45°
• Angle of graphic: 90° (vertical)
• Distance from graphic: 15”
• Water pressure: ≤800 PSI
• Length of time: 30 sec. Aim the spray pattern at a 45 degree angle or more to the vinyl graphic as possible. Aiming at a sharp angle could cause the edge of the graphic to lift. Under no circumstances should a turbo pressure nozzle be used when pressure washing applied vehicle graphics.