How long after paint can I apply vinyl?

[cstreit]

I recently repainted my racecar and have a lot of graphics to apply (Courtesy of Andy at Performance Graphics! THANKS Andy) but am wondering how long I should wait to apply the vinyl decals.

Can the paint cure okay with the vinyl over it? I suppose I should probably wax the car first but that leaves me wondering if the wax needs to wait a while too... However, I don't want to leave the car bare while going out on the the track.

Any paint guys care to chime in here?

Naked!

[andycook]

That looks awesome Chris! Holy *****! Was the paint baked or air dried? I have aplied vinyl to an air dried paint job the following day, as long as it was done as a "wet install".
What I mean is using an application fluid of sort to apply the vinyl. Raw vinyl adhesive and new paint can equal trouble if not careful.
If it was baked, go for it! You won't hurt it.
Juts mix up some fluid and go forit. I cannot wait to see pics!!!

[cstreit]

Andy,

I use my trailer as a "paint booth" to keep dust down. It was air-dryed.

I always do a "wet install" with graphics this large, too hard to apply any other way as you know. Typically I would use a denatured alcohol/water mix to do it. Will this work okay with your graphics? Any recommendation?

Thanks! Can't wait to post pictures of the new layout!

[PorscheGuy79]

The car is worthless without the new wheels




BTW, where are you going to test and tune/ break it in?

[cstreit]

Matt,

Just going to go to AUtobahn for a day probably...

[andycook]

That mixture will work fine Chris! Using a trailer as a paint booth! I'l have to remember that one! Good idea. Good luck on the graphics!

[PorscheGuy79]

Originally posted by cstreit
Matt,

Just going to go to AUtobahn for a day probably...

This monday?! That would be great if I get to see it in action.

[dweymer]

Chris,

Most paint makers recommend 30 days before waxing, so the paint can continue outgasing the solvents. If you wax and apply vinyl before that it may create pinholes, or bubbles.

Looks good!

D

[Geronimo '74]

Yes yes, a wise man on this board told me to be sure it was fully cured.
Makes sense.

[Tim Hancock]

What kind of paint? Most paints I have used say to wait 30 days before waxing. I have applied decals to week old urethane type paints without any problems but the stickers were fairly narrow (Porsche stripe/logo on the back of a 944 turbo). I think you will be OK because believe it or not, the plastic stickers should still allow solvents to escape. I myself would wait at least a week though just for good measure.

[cstreit]

Thanks Tim. I used single stage urethane... Dupont CHroma One.

[Jay Auskin]

Chris, is there any reason to remove the graphics and apply others? If not, stick those bad boys on there. Graphics only come off for paint repair, right? Since you'll be in front that won't be necessary.

I really like the orange details. Very nice!

[Joe Bob]

Couple of weeks......depending on the weather. But only if you are planning on removing them and doing something different without having a "ghost".

Otherwise soon as it gets out of the booth is fine.

[cstreit]

I have actualyl been leaving the car in the sun to helpget some heat in the paint the last few days. I may change the graphics here and there and last time got a "yellow shadow" underneath a few graphics... It mostly came out with some buffing...

I'll wait as long as I can, which is probably going to be about a week. I'm not so much worried about ghosting as I am lifting paint...

[Joe Bob]

Lifting shouldn't be a problem by now....