I had Spike's stripes changed this past week. Had the stock white removed and change for the MINI Sport Stripe. Looks great. Today while washing I noticed an air bubble about 1/4" in size near the edge of the graphic on the boot of the MINI. Should I... Poke it with a pin Use a credit card to try to smooth out (I'm worried about stretching the vinyl and creating a permanent ripple) Wait a couple of weeks and it will work it's way out Take it back to the dealer and have them fix it Ignore it Comments?
It might still have water under it. It will evaporate if you live in a hot climate. Pop it with a pin and leave it alone
I tend to agree with the leave it alone theory, for a week or so. Try and leave your MINI in the sun. If it is still there in a week or so, then poke it with a pin. If you don't want to wait, take it back to the installer. Mark
I've got Spike sunning himself, rear-side facing south. The temp will be about 60 degrees today, last decently warm day for a while. I'll see if that helps. I've heard mixed reviews about poking with a pin.
Leave it alone for now. Typically if the bubble is big, it'll shrink itself to the point you can use your thumb on it. At that point, there will probably still be a TINY little bubble. THEN, you can prick it with a pin. My suggestion is to work it with your thumb rather than a credit card or likewise. The reason is, if the bubble is too big, it'll stretch the vinyl and fold over on top of itself. My .02 worth. Mark
I parked it out in what will be the last day of sun and warmth til next March! So far no difference. We're getting down to zero temps at night and unlikely going to hit another day of 60 degrees. What about a hair dryer after a couple of weeks?
I would stay away from a hairdryer, back into that whole stretch issue. Let it sit and leave it alone for at least while it sits in the sun. Mark
You may actually be fortunate that it is getting cold tonight, it may shrink down the air bubble. I would do nothing, besides sunning, and waiting a few days. Then take it back to the installer. Put the fix on their coin, not something you did. Mark
not sure if still a issue Rixter. Had a new stripe put on at MITM and a air bubble showed up right after install. Mike at Aesthetic Creations whipped out a small utility knife, put a small incision in it, rolled a straight edge over it and I haven't seen a sign of it since. Other than the fact it looks like very wide electrical tape now it's fine, no bubbles
Well its been 2 weeks now, unfortunately the temp has never gotten above 55 degrees again (since its now the fall) so evaporation is not about to happen. I really dont want to have it cut or poked. I think I'll leave it and see what happens in a month
use an alternate heat source other than the sun, a hair dryer. Works just as well. Popping it is almost always necessary. Take it from someone who knows. I have side decals to do tomorrow and as cool as it is, I'll be popping a few tomorrow
So if the hair dryer is a bust, and it does need to be popped will it eventually get dirt (or water) under the pin-hole?
no, unless the hole gets bigger, which it shouldn't, The vinyl is fully covered in glue on the reverse side. Nothing has ever gotten in mine or made it larger
Ditto on Twister's note No problems and it's been like 3 mo's. I don't think there is anything really to evaporate. These are Vinyl with a adhesive backing. I think the longer you wait the less chance of success