We got a call from a customer today regarding six 4'x8' enameled aluminum signs we created.
We used premium vinyl on the signs. We used the appropriate amount of transfer fluid and the signs dried a week before delivery.
We loaded the signs onto their truck and off they went to their facility. According to the customer the immediately took them off of the truck and into the building. They stored them flat on a pallet and they put nothing on them.
One week goes by and they are ready to put the signs onto their construction trailers. When they go to lift the first one thay find that all of the sheets are effectively welded together.
We sent over our vinyl guy and he found the the vinyl had adhered to the back of the sheet above.
In the last 12 years this has never happened before. We probably can't get the real storage story from the customer sice he's in CYA mode. We'd like to prevent this from happening in the future, but don't want to spend money on a problem before we know what it is.
Has anybody had an experience like this? And if so what was it that caused the problem and how did you fix it?
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
Perry, how's the weather in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, hot?
If you stack up panels with vinyl faces without using slipsheets it is not uncommon for the panels to try to stick together. Usually they pop apart without damage in the store.
If they were stored in a closed up warehouse in summer sun, the ambient temperature might melt the vinyl and cause them to stick together.
Have you popped them apart for examination?
You may be able to save them Vic G
Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
For the 'slipsheets' Victor refers to, we use the backing paper from the vinyl used for the sign.
Hope this helps. Cher.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I would also suggest storing vertical so there is no weight on them.
Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :
i had the same thing happen to me this week. customer picked up 2 4x8 .040 aluminum signs friday and went to put them up mon. and they stuck to the back of the sign on top and pulled holes in the vinyl. had to redo it. it was under a shed and did not get that hot. i have never had that happen before in all the years that i have been doing signs and have left them stacked for weeks out in the sun.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Interesting topic.. I have 7 4'x4' aluminum signs that have a combo of painted and vinyl on them. I did them 18 months ago. Part of the deal with the customer was that I store them until they needed them. (They were paid for within 30 days and these are 7 left out of an original order of 15)
I left the plastic overlay on the back sides of each panel and they are stored vertically (well a a wee bit off vertical! LOL...They are leaned against a wall) So far no prob..fingers crossed!
Thanks for the warning!
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Maybe something to do with the paint outgassing?
Not cured enough and solvent vapors traveling thru, attacked vinyl enough to make it sticky on wrong side?
Roger Posted by Perry Lockridge (Member # 2629) on :
Thanks for all of your input. I'll pass your tips on to the vinyl guys!
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