Vinyl stripe turned brown

[Holder]

Any idea what could cause this or fix this? I have no clue what it's from or whet caused it.

[LFairbanks]

It almost looks like a defect or was sprayed with something that didn't work well and caused some sort of reaction.

[Holder]

Well here's the situation. I detailed this truck a few months back. This was there when I started. Unfortunately I wasn't present when he dropped it off and picked it up. This stripe was like this when I worked on it. Of course I didn't take pictures of this spot. I tried a little hand polishing on the stripe but nothing. A month or so later he calls me up and tells me one if his stripes is brown thinking something I did caused this. It's not a big deal to take responsibility for the problem, failure to communicate on my part is the issue I guess. It was there when I worked on it but didn't bring it up thinking he knew about it. I want to fix it for him but polishing did nothing.

Edited September 7, 2013 by A_HoderSS

[LFairbanks]

I found this elsewhere.  He obviously doesn't live in the area mentioned below, but I wouldn't rule out the same issue.

 

"In recent months a small number of vehicle wrap customers located in southern
California/Nevada and northern Mexico have experienced a dull rust-colored surface
condition sometimes known as “fallout”. This has occurred to OEM paint finishes and
wrapped vehicles alike. ORACAL has determined that the likely cause is an
environmental problem associated with fossil fuel burning facilities in these areas.

These pollutants, most likely sulfur dioxide, bond with water vapor, forming an acidic
molecule. When the dew point is reached in the area, dew is deposited on the vehicle
surfaces. What was acidic vapor is now acidic dew. The acidic dew etches the surface
of the PVC film if the dew is left on the vehicle for prolonged periods of time. Because it
is dew, and not rain, the acid is fairly concentrated and begins to etch into the surface of
the laminate.

Once the dew has evaporated from the vehicle, the dew leaves deposits of dust,
minerals etc. from the water vapor in the etched surface of the PVC, thus causing the
rust colored appearance. The acid continues to erode the laminate creating a pockmarked
surface which further exacerbates the problem by increasing the surface area
for the acid to collect and erode and increases the dust and mineral deposits.

Suggestions for Distributors:
• Educate sign shops about the environmental issues facing vehicle wraps in the southern
California/Nevada and northern Mexico areas.
• Stock Teflon type polish or recommend a specific brand
• Add disclaimers to claim policies concerning “fallout”

Suggestions for Sign Shops:
• Prepare a Vehicle Wrap Care Guide with the points below
• Educate Wrap owners of the importance of care
• Modify warranties with regards to fallout to avoid liability issues.

Suggestions for Vehicle Wrap Owners in this area:
• Rinse the vehicle every morning to minimize deposits
• Wash the vehicle at least once a week with a very mild soap. Ask wrap installers for a
vehicle wrap care guide.
• Use a Teflon type polish designed for vehicle wraps to help protect the surface and gloss.

Follow manufacturer’s directions and application frequencies.

These are only suggestions and may or may not prevent vehicle wrap damage due to
the ‘fallout” phenomenon. Oracal USA attributes “fallout” damage to environmental
conditions which are not related to the manufacturing process, print production,
lamination or installation. We therefore do not classify this as a product defect for
warranty purposes."
 

Read paragraph 6 in the link below.  Pretty much sounds like what I posted above and looks like what you posted in your picture.

 

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?KKKKKMmrCWykDPl4GPluDPeW8nmi8Wmr_nLK8nLK8KKKKKK--

Edited September 8, 2013 by LFairbanks

[Holder]

Good information.

 

Good news, he's not blaming me. Just wants to see if we can fix it. A little miscommunication I guess.

[Rich]

My son's silver stripes did the same thing.............shortly before they cracked...........then just disappeared.  No explanation but that's what happened. The adhesive remained, but the silver completely disappeared.

[Team Adam's]

Combination of oxidation/failure and 'rail dust'. 

 

Vinyl gets iron contamination on it just like paint does, the difference is b/c its 'softer' than paint the particles usually sink in pretty deep and are very hard to remove with clay. Over time the buildup combined with the process of the vinyl being faded/oxidized by the sun and heat starts to look like that. 

 

Vinyl has a lifespan... in hot/sunny climates it needs to be replaced every so often. Its the trade off of being cheaper than painting the stripes on. You'll notice a lot of cars in hot/sunny climates with very poor looking vinyl graphics... the conditions are just hard on the material. 

[Holder]

Combination of oxidation/failure and 'rail dust'.

 

Vinyl gets iron contamination on it just like paint does, the difference is b/c its 'softer' than paint the particles usually sink in pretty deep and are very hard to remove with clay. Over time the buildup combined with the process of the vinyl being faded/oxidized by the sun and heat starts to look like that.

 

Vinyl has a lifespan... in hot/sunny climates it needs to be replaced every so often. Its the trade off of being cheaper than painting the stripes on. You'll notice a lot of cars in hot/sunny climates with very poor looking vinyl graphics... the conditions are just hard on the material.

 

Thanks for the info/explanation. Makes sense. He did tell me that side of the truck gets more sun than the other.