3M Graphic FilmControltac™ ™Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

Instruction Bulletin Deep RecessRelease B, March 2017 (replaces A, July ‘16)

For Cargo Vans and other vehicles with deep recesses and/or channels with and without relief cuts.

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Observe These Pre-Application InstructionsThis Instruction Bulletin provides detailed procedures and tips for a successful, durable graphic application. Failure to follow these procedures may result in graphics with wrinkles and/or lifting from contoured areas.• Maintain the vehicle and ambient temperatures between 60-90 °F (15-32 °C).• Ensure the application environment is clean and well lit.• Sweep the work area clean to remove any lose dirt or particles.• Use a clean, table top for handling the graphics. Do not place the graphics on the floor.• If washed in an automatic car wash, do not select the “spot-free rinse” option.• Ensure the vehicle surface is completely dry.

Materials and Tools Required• Lint free cloths• Solvent cleaner (e.g., 3M™ General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner, DuPont Prep-Sol™ Solvent Cleaner 3919S)• Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) cleaner (70% rubbing alcohol or mix 2 parts IPA to 1 part water)• Scotch™ Masking Tape - 1” to 2” roll• 3M™ Squeegee PA1-G Gold (two-sided with squeegee/protected edge)• Olfa® Utility Knife, X-Acto® Knife or Knifeless Tape• Industrial heat gun that is capable of attaining at least 500 °F (260 °C)• 3M™ Roller L and Roller S• 3M™ Tape Primer 94• 3M™ Adhesion Promoter 111• 3M Specification of Products for Trailer and Vehicle Applications• 3M Instruction Bulletin 5.36. Application Techniques for Automobiles, Vans and Buses. Complete the 3M Pre-

Installation Inspection Record found in this Instruction Bulletin prior to manufacturing or applying a graphic to an automobile, van, or bus.

• Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels Video

Health and Safety

CAUTION!When handling any chemical products, read the manufacturers’ container labels and the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for important health, safety and environmental information. To obtain SDS sheets for 3M products go to 3M.com/SDS, or by mail or in case of an emergency, call 1-800-364-3577 or 1-651-737-6501.

When using any equipment, always follow the manufacturers’ instructions for safe operation.

Some of these links lead to web-based resources that are not product-specific.

Instruction Bulletin Deep Recess Release B

3M Graphics Warranties Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

CAUTION!State Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) regulations may prohibit the use of certain chemicals with VOC’s in graphic arts coatings and printing operations. For example, the California South Coast Air Quality Management District prohibits use of certain solvent-based solutions without a permit and other California AQMD’s prohibit use of certain solutions without a permit or regulatory exemption. Check with your State environmental authorities to determine whether use of this solution may be restricted or prohibited.

About the Sprinter Cargo Van Channel StylesGraphics are applied to the large side panels of Sprinter vans. Specific procedures are provided in this Bulletin for successfully conforming the film into each of these channels.

Clean the VehicleWhen vehicles are dirty, the graphics stick to the dirt, not the vehicle, so even if the vehicle has been recently washed, clean the graphic application area before beginning.1. Wipe the entire vehicle with IPA (70% Alcohol 30% Water Solution) to remove any dirt and debris from the sur-

face. 2. Follow up with a Prep-Sol Wipe (or other prep solvent) of the entire vehicle. 3. Wipe the entire vehicle with IPA (70% Alcohol 30% Water Solution) again. 4. Finish with applying your chosen adhesion promoter. See “Promoting Adhesion” on page 2.

a. Break the glass inside the primer 94 ampules to activate. Apply primer 94 to the deepest part of the channel. Allow to set for a minimum of 5 minutes, which allows the solvents to evaporate, and then apply the film within one hour of primer application.

b. Wet 3M™ Adhesion Promoter 111 on a lint free cloth and wipe the cloth in the recessed areas and edges. Allow to set for a minimum of 5 minutes, which allows the solvents to evaporate, and then apply the film within one hour of primer application.

IMPORTANT NOTEiEnsure the vehicle is dry before applying film.

Promoting Adhesion3M recommends two options to promote good adhesion to the vehicle body: 3M™ Primer 94 and 3M™ Adhesion Promoter 111.

Use 3M™ Primer 94Any time you heat and stretch the film to contour it into vehicle body channels, use 3M’s tape Primer 94 to promote good adhesion to the vehicle body. Apply Primer 94 to:

• the deepest part of any channel.• any surface that will receive filler strips.• both sides of any silicone bead.

• a compound curve into a flat area

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3M Graphic FilmControltac™ ™Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

IMPORTANT NOTEiEvery time you heat and stretch the film, primer is recommended to ensure a tight bond at the valley of the channel.

IMPORTANT NOTEiBefore applying a filler strip into a channel, use 3M™ Primer 94 to ensure a secure film bond within the channel.

Use 3M™ Adhesion Promoter 111Using 3M™ Adhesion Promoter 111 is another option for promoting adhesion to vehicle substrate.

IMPORTANT NOTEi3M™ Adhesion Promoter 111 should only be applied to recessed areas, edges, and areas of high stress, due to its ability to promote adhesion. Promoter 111 may leave adhesive behind during removal.

IMPORTANT NOTEiBe sure to clean beyond areas where the film will be wrapped, such as the backside of the doors, all painted surfaces and behind rubber moldings.

Break the glass inside the primer 94 ampules to activate. Apply primer 94 to the deepest part of the channel.

Wet 3M™ Adhesion Promoter 111 on a lint free cloth and wipe the cloth in the recessed areas and edges.

Instruction Bulletin Deep Recess Release B3

3M Graphics Warranties Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

Dry Fit the Graphic PanelsThis instruction can be used for any type of channel found on any vehicle using the 3M Products recommended in the Specification of Products for Trailer and Vehicle Applications Bulletin. The following instruction shows the technique for conforming film into the channel using 3M™ Envision™ Print Wrap Film SV480mC with 3M™ Envision™ Gloss Wrap Overlaminate 8548G and 3M™ Controltac™ Graphic Film w/ Comply™ Adhesive v3 IJ180Cv3 with 3M™ Scotchcal™ Gloss Overlaminate 8518.

Notice the “L” shaped channel on this door. This channel is called a compound channel because of the different directions, vertical and horizontal.1. Dry fit the panels onto the substrate to make sure the panels will line up per the specifications from the graphic

manufacturer.2. Use magnets or masking tape to hold down the film to the substrate.

IMPORTANT NOTEiFilm does not conform to silicone beads. Cut the film on each side of the silicone bead, using care not to scratch the vehicle, and remove the resulting strip of film.

Most of the graphic will be applied to flat areas on the vehicle, so apply the film to this area first. Note that the application tape (if applicable) can stay on the graphic at this step. As you approach a channel, there will be a great deal of tension on the film. Stop squeegeeing just before this point (about 3 inches [76 mm]).

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3M Graphic FilmControltac™ ™Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

Installation of Graphic

Apply the Film to Flat Areas First

1. Squeegee on the flat area, and apply the first 12-18” of film to the top edge of the substrate. 2. Always try to follow the film in and out of recessed channels whenever possible.

3. Squeegee the remaining large section of the graphic until all of the film is applied. One should finish the top sec-tion by following the film into the first and second channels, then bridge the large window recess. The third large recess should have an approximately 6” wide area of bridged film around the entire channel (this minimizes the chance of lifting and color shift in high performance graphic films).

Instruction Bulletin Deep Recess Release B5

3M Graphics Warranties Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

4. Finish the panel making sure you bridge across the low surface energy plastic molding on both the top and bot-tom. This will help during trimming and tucking behind the plastic molding.

IMPORTANT NOTEiTrim out all plastic molding. See Step 3 below.

Install the Film Into Window Recess1. Heat the film to remove any wrinkles. Conform the film when the temperature is between 120-140 °F, using a heat

gun and 3M Application Tools (this minimizes the risk for color shift in high performance graphic films). Follow this procedure around the whole channel making sure you have an escape route for the air.

IMPORTANT NOTEiThe larger the section of bridged film, the more the amount of stretch for the film is reduced. For example, 0.5” stretched over 6” of film will result in a 8% stretch while a 0.5” stretched over 2” of film will result in 25% stretch.

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3M Graphic FilmControltac™ ™Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

IMPORTANT NOTEiMake sure to keep heat gun back away from film to maintain a consistent film temperature. This will prevent hot spots and discoloration of stretched film.

2. Squeegee lightly the remaining trapped air until all of the air has been removed.

3. Heat and roll the film into the remaining channels and door cup using the heat gun and 3M Roller L or VCAT.

Post-Heat1. Post heat the film so the film temperature is 200 - 225 °F. Measure the temperature using an IR thermometer and

apply pressure with the 3M Roller S to help ensure good adhesion of the film in the channel. This is the most crit-ical element of the process. If this is not done correctly, there is potential for the film to lift in the channels and failures to occur.

Instruction Bulletin Deep Recess Release B7

3M Graphics Warranties Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

Finishing the Installation1. Trim at 45° both the top and bottom of the low surface energy plastic molding.

2. Tuck the film in behind the plastic molding. Remove the excess film from the plastic molding.

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3M Graphic FilmControltac™ ™Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

Relief Cutting

Using 3M™ Knifeless Tape and 3M™ Controltac™ Graphic Film with Comply™ v3 Adhesive IJ180Cv3

1. Apply 3M™ Knifeless Tape on the outside edge of the channel. This location will prevent shrinkage after the graphic has been relief cut.

2. Dry fit the panels onto the substrate to make sure the panels will line up per the specifications from the graphic manufacturer.

3. Squeegee the film to the top edge of the channel.4. Use the squeegee to gently tuck the film INTO the channel.5. Squeegee the film to the bottom edge of the channel.6. Finish applying the film to the top part of the side panel.

IMPORTANT NOTEiDO NOT bridge the channel and then force the film into it, even if you are using heat. Forcing the film will likely result in film lifting.

7. When all of the film is squeegeed to the vehicle as described above, cut the film using 3M™ Knifeless Tape. 3M does not recommend attempting to bridge, heat and stretch the film into this area. Doing so will likely result in film lifting.

Instruction Bulletin Deep Recess Release B9

3M Graphics Warranties Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

IMPORTANT NOTEiIf application tape is used, the film can be cut with the application tape in place or with it removed until you come to complex curves or tucking film into channels, at which time it must be removed. Always remove application tape at a 180 degree angle.

8. Now that the film has been cut along the channel, you can use the squeegee to tuck and adhere the film into the channel. If desired, use the 3M Roller L or Roller S to help ensure good adhesion into the channel. There is now a strip of the vehicle body without any film applied to it, as shown below. This area will be covered with edge tape or a filler strip.

IMPORTANT NOTEiBecause you are conforming the film into a curve, small wrinkles may appear. Lightly warm the film with a heat gun to soften the film and gently work out the wrinkles using the edge of a squeegee or 3M Roller L or Roller S.

9. The figure below shows the upper corner of the channel. The film has been bridged, cut, and then tucked into the inside of the channel. The exposed vehicle body will be covered with edge tape. Another option would be to add a filler strip.

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3M Graphic FilmControltac™ ™Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

Finishing the Installation1. Resqueegee all surfaces of the film.2. Using light heat, warm the edges of the film and resqueegee all of them. This is a critical step in preventing edge

lifting.3. If there are areas if the film that were stretched make sure to post heat the film between 200-225 °F.4. Maintain the vehicle at an ambient temperature above 60 °F (15 °C) for at least 12 hours, but longer if possible,

before exposing it to either a cold or wet climate. This allows the film’s adhesive bond to build and strengthen.5. The vehicle may be washed by hand or in a touchless automated car wash after more than 24 hours using normal

vehicle washing solutions. Dry the graphics to prevent hard water stains. Do not use high pressure spray directed at the edges of the film, which can degrade and lift the edges of the film.

Limitation of LiabilityExcept to the extent prohibited by law, 3M SHALL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE LIABLE TO PURCHASER OR USER FOR ANY DIRECT (EXCEPT FOR THE LIMITED REMEDY PROVIDED HEREIN), INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LABOR, NON-3M MATERIAL CHARGES, LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, BUSINESS, OPPORTUNITY, OR GOODWILL) RESULTING FROM OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO 3M'S GRAPHICS PRODUCTS, SERVICES, OR THIS BULLETIN. This limitation of liability applies regardless of the legal or equitable theory under which such losses or damages are sought.

Technical ServiceThis instruction Bulletin was prepared by Commercial Solutions Technical Service in the United States. The information contained and techniques described herein are believed to be reliable. For assistance, please contact us at 1-800-328-3908 or www.3M.com/graphics.

The information provided in this letter related to material content represents 3M Commercial Solutions Division’s knowledge and belief as of the date it is provided.

If you have questions about this 3M product, please contact our 3M Commercial Solutions Division Technical Information at 1-888-328-3908 or on-line at www.3Mgraphics.com.

Instruction Bulletin Deep Recess Release B11

3M Graphic FilmControltac™ ™3M Graphics Warranties Applying Graphics to Challenging Vehicles with Deep Recesses and/or Channels

Bulletin Change SummaryFor the most current 3M Technical Information available to successfully use this product, please view this Bulletin electronically and click on the blue underlined links to view the relevant documents. Please read the entire Bulletin thoroughly.

Release B MARCH-2017:

• Updated “Installation of Graphic” on page 5, 6, and 7.

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