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A Guide to Substrate Compatibility... or: Will it stick?

The following few words of wisdom are presented as a brief guide to the compatibility of cut vinyl graphics with a particular target surface. It is not an exhaustive list but covers the most common cases and gives an insight into some of the questions associated with adhesive bonding on particular substrates.

Substrate

Adhesion

Surface preparation

Prior cleaning

Wet
application

not suitable

average

good

very good

Aluminum

unfinished

     

ü

Sand
(grain 120)

strong

 

anodized

   

ü

 

gentle

No

Dibond®

     

ü

 

gentle

 

Painted metal sheet

   

ü

Degassing and adhesion test

gentle or medium according to paint

flat

Marine plywood

   

ü

Sand
(grain 120)

soft cloth

No

Stainless steel

     

ü

 

strong

 

Glass

     

ü

 

strong

 

Methacrylate
(Altuglas®, Plexiglas®,…)

     

ü

Degassing test

gentle

 

Polycarbonate
(Lexan®, Macrolon®,…)

     

ü

Degassing test

gentle

 

Rigid/foamed PVC board

Komatex®

   

ü

 

Degassing test

gentle

 

Komacel®

   

ü

 

Degassing test

gentle

 

Vekaplan®

 

ü

   

Degassing test

gentle

 

Coplast

     

ü

Degassing test

gentle

 

Forex

   

ü

 

Degassing test

gentle

 

Floors

Tiles

   

ü

 

strong

 

Raw concrete

   

ü

Diluted chlorhydric acid + rinse with water

medium

No

Painted

   

ü

 

Degassing and adhesion test

gentle

 

Polypropylene

 

 

ü

   

 

strong

 

Silicone coats

 

û

     

 

 

 

Teflon

 

û

     

 

 

 

ABS

 

û

     

 

 

 

Melamine

 

   

ü

 

 

gentle or medium

 

Soft plasticized PVC

SUPTAC
ECOTAC

   

ü

 

 

medium

 

Banner

   

ü

 

 

gentle or medium

 

Soft woven PVC

Banner

û

     

 

 

 

Stretched canvas

   

ü

 

 

gentle

 

Polyethylene

Tyvek®

 

ü

   

 

 

 

Robuskin®

 

ü

   

 

gentle

 

Drop paper

 

ü