How to fix glue marks and bubbles on self-adhesive decals???

[ReCoC]

Well, the subject says it all.

I tried applying a self adhesive transparent decal on the pedal I've been working on and I have glue marks and bubbles (cause I'm stupid probably).
I tried warming it up with a hairdryer thinking that the adhesive might get soft and then maybe fix it with a credit card, but didn't work.

In the following picture you can see a big vertical line. That is a glue mark because I paused for a second when I was applying the decal:


Also on this picture. Same problem, same reason. Plus some bubbles on the right side next to "C":


Please help..... 

[bcalla]

First answer:  Good luck!  Been there & I don't know a fix.

Second answer (learned from someone on this or another forum):  NEXT TIME, put a fraction of a drop of dishwashing soap in a bowl of water.  Mix it up and spray/spread it on the surface of the enclosure.  When you put your label on this surface, you can reposition it and also work the bubbles out.

A couple of points regarding this solution.  I don't know how it will work on clear labels, maybe it will fog under the label - you should experiment with this.  I use decals for clear and it's fairly easy to reposition them and get the bubbles out.  I have used this technique a couple of times on white labels and it worked pretty well.  I wasn't able to slide the label into position, but I could easily pick the label up and put it back several times until I got it in the right spot.  I worked the bubbles out by hand.  I recently bought a rubber roller to use for labels and decals buy I haven't tried it yet.

[J0K3RX]

Take a pin or sewing needle and poke the bubbles a couple times then take a soft cloth and rub them out with your thumb. You can't see the pin pricks afterwards. Don't really know what to tell you about the lines but if you spray over the sticker with clear coat it seems to help a lot.

[Kipper4]

That line you have could be a roller in the printer marking the label. I've had the same thing. Havent found a solution yet.

[ReCoC]

First answer:  Good luck!  Been there & I don't know a fix.

Second answer (learned from someone on this or another forum):  NEXT TIME, put a fraction of a drop of dishwashing soap in a bowl of water.  Mix it up and spray/spread it on the surface of the enclosure.  When you put your label on this surface, you can reposition it and also work the bubbles out.

A couple of points regarding this solution.  I don't know how it will work on clear labels, maybe it will fog under the label - you should experiment with this.  I use decals for clear and it's fairly easy to reposition them and get the bubbles out.  I have used this technique a couple of times on white labels and it worked pretty well.  I wasn't able to slide the label into position, but I could easily pick the label up and put it back several times until I got it in the right spot.  I worked the bubbles out by hand.  I recently bought a rubber roller to use for labels and decals buy I haven't tried it yet.

So there's not much I can do right now for the glue... But this soap solution, does it work on self-adhesive transparency? Won't that mess up the glue?

Take a pin or sewing needle and poke the bubbles a couple times then take a soft cloth and rub them out with your thumb. You can't see the pin pricks afterwards. Don't really know what to tell you about the lines but if you spray over the sticker with clear coat it seems to help a lot.

Thanks, I'll try the pin. I also have a clear coat which I intent to use on top anyway. But I'm debating myself whether I should remove the stickers and try and print new ones or should just leave it as it is...

That line you have could be a roller in the printer marking the label. I've had the same thing. Havent found a solution yet.

I know what you mean, but this is definitely not it. I know because on the first picture the line occurred exactly where I paused for a second while applying the label. And on the second picture I was stupid enough to pull it back (unstick it) and then stick it back on. There is a 3rd sticker on the other side of the box which is perfect.

[greaser_au]

Take a pin or sewing needle and poke the bubbles a couple times then take a soft cloth and rub them out with your thumb. You can't see the pin pricks afterwards. Don't really know what to tell you about the lines but if you spray over the sticker with clear coat it seems to help a lot.

I haven't played with decals, but in my days working with the amusements company, if the self-adhesive control panel decal had bubbles after applying, a pin (or a *brand new* boxcutter blade)  was the go! 

david

[bcalla]

Your question: So there's not much I can do right now for the glue... But this soap solution, does it work on self-adhesive transparency? Won't that mess up the glue?

I thought it would too.  But apparently when you use pressure to work out the bubbles, you are working out the soapy water too.  Of course you will cover it with some kind of clear coat afterwards.  I have done this only twice so far and I am happy with the results.

[Hemmel]

ReCoC, I see from the pics that the transparent adhesive film is still over the holes. I'd advise you to not punch them before you put clear coat. The transparent film is so thin that I never found an easy way to cut through the holes without it ripping. After clear coat, though, it gets a bit thicker and doesn't rip as easily. So the holes can be cut in a round shape.

[ReCoC]

ReCoC, I see from the pics that the transparent adhesive film is still over the holes. I'd advise you to not punch them before you put clear coat. The transparent film is so thin that I never found an easy way to cut through the holes without it ripping. After clear coat, though, it gets a bit thicker and doesn't rip as easily. So the holes can be cut in a round shape.

Thanks for the advice
I actually already cut 1 of the holes without any problems. You can see it on the second picture, hole "C".
I used a surgical scalpel and it was very easy. Maybe it also differs with different brands of paper.

[Kipper4]

Your question: So there's not much I can do right now for the glue... But this soap solution, does it work on self-adhesive transparency? Won't that mess up the glue?

I thought it would too.  But apparently when you use pressure to work out the bubbles, you are working out the soapy water too.  Of course you will cover it with some kind of clear coat afterwards.  I have done this only twice so far and I am happy with the results.

Intresting I might give this a go. maybe experiment on a side panel to start with. I guess its a weak soapy solution and a very thin layer you use.
thanks for the tip

[ReCoC]

So I finally finished the pedal last week.

I was very close to removing the transparency and printing a new one (damn you perfectionism!!!!) but I decided the very last moment not to.
So I just tried to fix the bubbles as suggested, which slightly improved them but not too much. But after I applied the clear coat, it actually looked much better. The flaws were much less visible.
Only thing now is that, although I applied 5 thin coats, the corners of the transparent film seem ready to peel off. But let's see. Time will show

All in all, I'm quite satisfied with the result considering that it's the first time I actually make any kind of finish to the enclosure.

Pictures follow: