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alexpalex · Mar 31st, 2005, 12:39 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by planeguy

I do not have ghost stripes or discoloration though. Only a trace outline like a ridge but it is underneath the clear

Below is one of my many replies regards to paintwork from earlier this year....

EU specification paint, which differs from the USA and Australia.

EU spec paintwork, which all European produced vehicles have is a water based two pack acrylic. This is produced in a way that is less harmful to the environment than the traditional solvent based two pack paints as here in Australia and in the USA.

I have been a vinyl applicator for 14 years, and have a very good technical knowledge of the materials from 3M, Avery and Calon. I am also accredited with 3M and also Avery.

In the UK about 10 years ago, this type of paint started making its way into the showrooms of all the European vehicles.

The company I was working for at the time, used to use Calon and Arlon materials on a price based deicision.

This material stripped the paintwork on numerous vehicles back to primer / metal.

The thing with the permanant acrylic adhesives on some material types is that they become part of the substrate they are applied to. This is fine for applications when they are never to be removed, but not on the bonnet or roof of your precious MINI.

As Ed at Cooperflags has said, he has never removed these materials from an application yet. I have and it leaves marks in the paint almost the same as embossing the text or shape into the paintwork. This is the residue of the adhesive that has become or bonded into the top coat of laquer. The only way to rectify this is to respray the contaminated area.
All the solvents and buffing in the world will not remove this.

Pearlescent and metallics paints are incredibly soft on European cars for upto 9 months after manufacture.

These are the reasons why I would not use or recommend, and also why your paintwork warranty is invalidated if you use certain materials on your paintwork.

3M, Avery and Mactac are aware of this, so are BMW, MINI, VW, Audi etc...

But at the end of the day, its your choice, your car. If you make the decision to use a material marked as having PERMANENT adhesive on your vehicle, then on you head be it...

I am no thaving a dig at anybody here, but unless you experience it first hand doesn't mean it won't happen.

Why risk it...

Mar 31st, 2005, 12:39 AM	#17
alexpalex MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perth Local Time: 04:07 PM Posts: 297 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by planeguy I do not have ghost stripes or discoloration though. Only a trace outline like a ridge but it is underneath the clear Below is one of my many replies regards to paintwork from earlier this year.... EU specification paint, which differs from the USA and Australia. EU spec paintwork, which all European produced vehicles have is a water based two pack acrylic. This is produced in a way that is less harmful to the environment than the traditional solvent based two pack paints as here in Australia and in the USA. I have been a vinyl applicator for 14 years, and have a very good technical knowledge of the materials from 3M, Avery and Calon. I am also accredited with 3M and also Avery. In the UK about 10 years ago, this type of paint started making its way into the showrooms of all the European vehicles. The company I was working for at the time, used to use Calon and Arlon materials on a price based deicision. This material stripped the paintwork on numerous vehicles back to primer / metal. The thing with the permanant acrylic adhesives on some material types is that they become part of the substrate they are applied to. This is fine for applications when they are never to be removed, but not on the bonnet or roof of your precious MINI. As Ed at Cooperflags has said, he has never removed these materials from an application yet. I have and it leaves marks in the paint almost the same as embossing the text or shape into the paintwork. This is the residue of the adhesive that has become or bonded into the top coat of laquer. The only way to rectify this is to respray the contaminated area. All the solvents and buffing in the world will not remove this. Pearlescent and metallics paints are incredibly soft on European cars for upto 9 months after manufacture. These are the reasons why I would not use or recommend, and also why your paintwork warranty is invalidated if you use certain materials on your paintwork. 3M, Avery and Mactac are aware of this, so are BMW, MINI, VW, Audi etc... But at the end of the day, its your choice, your car. If you make the decision to use a material marked as having PERMANENT adhesive on your vehicle, then on you head be it... I am no thaving a dig at anybody here, but unless you experience it first hand doesn't mean it won't happen. Why risk it...