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Will water eventually evaporate?

The Simple Secret to a Bubble-Free Wet Install

If you are using a "solid" film (vinyl without air-escape channels), you might notice small bubbles or a hazy look immediately after installation. A common question is: "Will that water eventually evaporate, or is it trapped there forever?"

The short answer is: Yes, it will evaporate—but only if you follow the right process. Because solid vinyl doesn't have air channels, moisture has to find its way to the edges.

the biggest mistake is squeegeeing the edges first. This seals the exit and traps a "water balloon" in the middle.

  • Start by making one firm vertical stroke right down the center of the graphic, followed by one horizontal stroke across the top.

  • That anchors the film in place and divides the liquid into manageable sections.

Once anchored, you need to move the liquid from the center to the closest edge.

  • Work in sections. Start at the center line and push out toward the edge using a fanning motion.

  • Each new stroke should overlap the previous one by about 50%.

  • If you don't overlap, the squeegee can "jump" over tiny lines of water. These microscopic trails are what cause the "hazy" look or small bubbles once the vinyl dries.

Wet application requires two distinct phases of squeegeeing.

  • Use light pressure to move the water out and get the vinyl lying flat.

  • Once the vinyl is in place, go back over the entire surface with significant pressure.

  • This second pass crushes the adhesive into the surface and forces out the microscopic moisture that the first pass missed.

If liquid remains trapped under the film for an extended period, it can lead to "acidification" of the adhesive. This chemical reaction often results in the vinyl turning brown, peeling away from the surface, or developing new bubbles as the trapped moisture expands in the heat. To prevent this, it is essential to use the "Center-Out" squeegee method to manually evacuate at least 95% of the application fluid during installation. By driving the bulk of the liquid to the edges, you ensure that only microscopic amounts of moisture remain, which can then safely evaporate through the pores of the vinyl over time.