Technical Services unwrapped Chuck's sailboats, applied SLX, and docked for 1 month
OBJECTIVES
- Check for clean removal of DPF 6000XRP after 6 years; and also UPP Blue Aluminum with cross linker installed on June 5, 2015.
- Peel off film at a 45°, 90°, and 180° angle.
- Also, remove first without heat and then heat if necessary.
- The starboard side had 30+% adhesive residue while the port side was clean removing. Since the graphic used on both sides were the same, this can be attributed to the difference in sun exposure.
- To protect the graphics from weathering, use a boat cover if it will be sitting on a trailer for extended periods of time without being moved.
- The graphic removal techniques in vehicles to minimize adhesive residue apply to boats as well: Peel at an angle less than 90° at a slow and steady pace with the assistance of heat.
TEST RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS
Figure 1. The sailboat wrapped in DPF 6000XRP after at least 6 years
Figure 2. Overlaminate separates from the print media when removing the graphic on the port side and some of the ink transferred onto the laminate?s adhesive as well.
Figure 3. Difference in hue between exposed print (darker) and covered print (more vivid print color)
Figure 4. Capillary effect on both 1-inch strips of DPF 6000XRP (bottom) and IJ180 (top).
These 1 inch x 4 feet strips were applied under the boat (past below the water line) so that they were submerged when the boat is on the water. They were of comparable peel values when removed and did not show any signs of adhesion failure such as lifting or edge curl.
Figure 5. Minimal delamination on the port side
Figure 6. Delamination on the boat?s starboard side.
Figure 7. Ritchie removing the remaining reflective film strip.
Figure 8. The boat ready for wrapping after stripping off all the adhesive residue with SOTT Film Remover
Figure 9. The other sail boat with UPP Blue Aluminum ready for unwrapping
Figure 10. Unwrapped in 11 minutes. No delamination.
- Compare the installation performance of SLX Cast Wrap with Series 3270 and 3220 overlaminates on two sail boats.
TEST METHOD
- Print SLX Cast Wrap with Roland XR-640 and laminate the starboard (right hand) side with Series 3270 and the other (port side) with Series 3220.
- Apply two 1? x 36? strips of each sample under the water line.
- On the port side, seal the bottom edge of the wrap by applying 1-inch Series 3270 lamination tape only on the bottom rear (stern) section and no edge seal towards the bow (front)
- On the starboard side, apply 3M edge seal only on the bottom rear (stern) section and no edge seal towards the bow (front)
CONCLUSION
- There is no significant difference in installation performance between the graphics on the starboard side (Series 3270) and port side (Series 3220).
- The installation went quicker than expected. We we?re able to unwrap, prepare, and wrap both boats in one day.
TEST RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS
Figure 1. Applying knifeless tape prior to wrapping the boat
Figure 2. Ritchie and I setting up the starboard side?s graphic with SLX laminated with Series 3270
I highly recommend wrapping a boat with at least 2 installers?one holding the free end of the graphic keeping a slight horizontal (front-to-back) tension and the other removing the release liner. Split the liner into front and rear halves with a release liner knife. Remove the liner incrementally with the graphic as close to the surface as possible. This will minimize the risk of misalignment.
Figure 3. Evening out the tension by introducing vertical (top-to-bottom) tension
The horizontal tension may create horizontal tension lines. To even this out, pull perpendicular to the tension (vertical) to achieve a relatively flat profile before applying with a squeegee.
Figure 4. Wrapping the port side with SLX laminated with Series 3220
Figure 5. Finishing the graphic as it wraps around the bow.
It is important that the film overlaps the bow towards the other side by at least an inch. This is so that when the boat is sailing, the edge faces away from the water and minimize risk of lifting.
Figure 6. 1-inch strips applied at the bottom of the hull (past the water line) near the keel to test for water submersion resistance
Figure 7. First sailboat done.
Figure 8. Wrapping the starboard side of the smaller boat setup on sawhorses with the keel side up.
Figure 9. Ritchie using an IR heater to soften the film and wrap around the bow
Figure 10. Ritchie applying masking tape prior to applying edge sealer
Figure 11. Second sailboat done on the same day