Hello,
Our exhibit change-out schedules have never allowed a two-week cure time between paint and vinyl graphics application.
That said, I've never had trouble either applying or removing vinyl on our latex painted surfaces. Our normal MO is to spackle/drywall compound all the dings and holes then paint. We'll prime first over heavy repairs or everywhere if we're changing the color. Light coats dry faster than heavy.
Of course you'll want to let the paint cure as long as possible, but unless you're applying several primer and paint coats three or four days should suffice under most circumstances. That's assuming you have descent air circulation along with stable RH and temps. That's the conditions we work in, anyway.
I always "test" the adhesion as I'm applying by slowly removing the backing paper, squeegeeing as I go to make sure the vinyl stays on the wall. Pay close attention to I-dots, apostrophes, and small serifs. You'll get a good idea how it's going to stick, and you can squeegee more and apply more pressure if you need to.
As always your mileage may vary, so always test somewhere that's easy to fix before you dive all the way in.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
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Curtis Morris
Exhibits Manager
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
Springdale AR
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2015 09:32 AM
From: Lenora Costa
Subject: Vinyl Letters for Exhibit
Hello -
I have used vinyl lettering either for titles, text blocks or large scale images off and on for the last 10 years and have never been told that the paint needs to cure for a certain period of time before applying. Could it be the type of vinyl you have chosen? Also how long will you need the lettering to remain on the wall?
Our exhibits are never more than 6-8 months but I have definitely only finished painting (usually with eggshell) on Friday and had letters applied the following Monday with no ill effects. I am in a very humid climate and the walls in the gallery are concrete so its not the best for adhesive in general but vinyl letters have never given me a problem with falling off or not sticking. I do have the company who cuts the letters install for me as it never fails a letter is always missing or something of the sort and that way they will always fix it within the day without more time out of your schedule.
I would ask if there is a different type of vinyl that can be used that doesn't have this requirement or ask a different company in your area what they think the best wait time before installing might be. It could be the company you are working with has had a problem once and is overly cautious now.
Good luck - I would love to know what you find out once the exhibit it up.
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Lenora Costa
Curator
Longue Vue House & Gardens
New Orleans LA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2015 09:04 AM
From: Bruce MacLeish
Subject: Vinyl Letters for Exhibit
My experience with vinyl lettering on exhibit walls is long and varied. I am not sure that flat paint would be any better in terms of a short waiting time before application of vinyl graphics. We seldom used flat paint, but occasionally had "interesting" results when we used the same paint as always. In one instance in particular, we could not get the lettering to stick to the surface, which caused something of a momentary panic. We asked a tech from the graphics company to do the application, and he had as much trouble as we did, but at least he managed to complete the job. Various conditions in your gallery would have an influence on the curing time for the paint -- temperature and relative humidity make a difference. Still, overall you are dealing with proprietary materials that can be different from one year to the next, or even one month to the next, just to make things more confusing. If you have a week to let the paint cure, I am not sure what alternatives you have, but if you order a little extra lettering for a bit of empirical testing, that's about the best gauge of how and when to proceed.
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Bruce MacLeish
Curator Emeritus
Newport Restoration Foundation
Newport RI
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-15-2015 10:28 AM
From: Lindsay Elliott
Subject: Vinyl Letters for Exhibit
We are installing vinyl lettering in our upcoming exhibit, but have been told we can't apply the letters until 2 weeks after painting the walls. Our installation schedule only allows 1 week, but we are using "flat" paint, which I hear helps cut down the time you have to wait. Does anyone have any advice or insight from experience with vinyl letters?
Thank you!
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Lindsay Elliott
Museum Specialist
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