Testing Wall FIlm Adhesion with 3M

Testing Wall Film Adhesion with 3M

How can I make sure that films will stick to walls that are painted with low-VOC paint?

 

Testing Film Adhesion

Prepare three strips of the same film for each of the films you plan to use for the job. You’ll need all three so you can average the results of your test.

  • Cut three 1-inch by 10-inch strips of the graphic film(s).

  • Remove about 2 inches of liner, fold down one inch, and then punch a hole in the tab you’ve created

NOTE: It’s important to test each wall because you may not be able to tell if one wall of a room has been painted with a different formula than the others.

  • Remove the liner and apply the test strips to the cleaned surface so the punched hole is at the top. Use the 3M™ Rivet Brush RBA-1 to go over the strips three times to ensure good adhesion.

  • After 15 minutes, remove the test strips by pulling with a spring scale attached to the film strip tab. Try to pull at a rate of 1 inch every 5 seconds and observe both the value on the scale and the smoothness with which the film releases from the wall.

Here is how to assess your test results:

  • Unacceptable adhesion: The film measures less than 300 grams/inch on the scale and releases with little or no resistance.

  • Acceptable adhesion: The film measures 300-1000 grams/inch on the scale and releases smoothly and consistently with some resistance. May be removable with heat/chemicals but may cause wall damage.

  • Excellent adhesion: The film measures greater than 1000 grams/inch on the scale and releases smoothly and consistently with substantial resistance. Will cause wall damage if removed.

A film that pulls inconsistently or jerkily indicates that the adhesive is not making full contact with the substrate, even if it measures in the acceptable to excellent range. We do not recommend using a film that exhibits jerky removal.

 

Tips from the 3M Pros

  • When prepping large wall surfaces. Divide the wall into sections using a 3M masking tape. Prep one section at a time to make sure an area isn’t missed.

  • Before testing film adhesion, it's important to prepare the surface. For tips on cleaning solutions and techniques, scan the QR Code.

 

Article courtesy of 3M Commercial Solutions.