Hello, my dear fellow crafters! It's nice to have you here on my craft vinyl blog again. And I know you have something in your mind; that is why you landed here. Please correct me if I'm wrong. But for sure, you will have the answer to that tricky question at the end of this article. I'm glad to say that you came here to the right place. Yes! You arrived at the right destination. So, welcome aboard! Let's go and clear your confusion and change them with fantastic craft ideas!

Being a newbie in this beautiful Craft Vinyl world sometimes intimidates you. It's okay my dear friend, learning craft vinyl is a process that takes time and experiences. Let me have a guess, you need clarification with Oracal 651 vinyl and permanent vinyl. What is the difference between them? And that's the reason you are here, am I correct?

Don't worry; I got you! Stay with me; you will learn about Oracal 651 and permanent vinyl. And after reading this article, you can make many amazing things with vinyl and a cutting machine. Thus, you can decide what type of vinyl is perfect for your desired project.

Before we continue, let me briefly introduce Oracal 651 Vinyl to you. Talking about the basics of vinyl is always an essential part.

What is Oracal 651 Vinyl?

Oracal 651, also known as "outdoor vinyl" or "sign vinyl," is a permanent vinyl with a high-gloss finish. It is entirely water resistant and can withstand exposure to the elements with remarkable resilience. It contains a clear solvent-based adhesive that is excellently designed for outdoor projects. It's bright and vibrant and cuts and weeds effortlessly.

651 vinyl is popular with crafters because of its wide range of abilities. It is calendared, kneaded like dough, and then pressed like a thin pasta sheet. It is thicker, making it easier to work with flat surfaces or even with very gentle curves.

What is the difference between Oracal 651 and permanent vinyl?

Permanent vinyl is the decal we use for vehicles, signage, advertisements, and other outdoor purposes projects.

And one of the permanent types of vinyl is Oracal 651. It is also known as "outdoor" or "sign" vinyl because it is fully waterproof and can withstand exposure to elements with great persistence.

Is there any difference between Oracal 651 and permanent vinyl? None because Oracal 651 belongs to the permanent vinyl family.

Do I make it clear to you? As I promise, you will get everything you need to know about Oracal 651 here.

How long does Oracal 651 last?

While enjoying the beauty of the permanent vinyl graphic designs, didn't it come to your mind how long it will last?

Well, the answer depends on several factors, such as sun exposure, climate, frequency of washing, and more. Under normal conditions, the estimated lifespan of 651 vinyl is six years.

What is Oracal 651 vinyl used for?

The Oracal 651 Vinyl is ideal for anything that needs to be washed or exposed to rain, like your coffee mugs, cars, and even boats. With its clear solvent-based adhesive, it is excellently designed for outdoor projects. And with its glossy finish, it is also suitable for making outdoor signs, which is why it is known as "outdoor vinyl ."

It adheres well to rough surfaces and can also better resist abrasion. It is also best with indoor decorations like decorative plates and wooden signs.

However, you can also use Oracal 651 vinyl for your indoor projects. Surely it will last longer, but an adhesive residue will likely be left behind upon removal.

Let's try to have Oracal 651 as a car graphic decal. Sounds great, right? Starting with the materials, we need:

• Oracal 651 Designed Vinyl
• Soap/ Rubbing alcohol and Water for Cleaning Surfaces
• Masking Tape
• Squeegee/ Plastic Card

5 Easy Steps for Applying Oracal 651 Car Decals Like a Pro

1. Clean the Area.

Using soap and water, pre-wash the car surface where you'll apply the sticker. After cleaning with soapy water, rinse thoroughly until no soap or residue remains.

Another good choice for cleaning your car surface is a rubbing alcohol and water mixture. Prepare a solution with 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% water. It evaporates quickly with its intense cleaning action. It will indeed clean your car without damaging the paint.

Note: Do not use window-cleaning products. They may leave a residue behind, making your sticker cling less effectively.

2. Positioning the Decal

Determining the vinyl's location is an essential part for your stickers to look right. Position the sticker exactly where you want it to be and use masking tape to help it hold in the right place.

Leaving the white backing paper in place and facing the surface you're applying it to. Along the top edge of the decal, place a piece of masking tape. Then, lift the sticker as if it's on a hinge, and peel off the backing paper.

While holding onto the bottom edge, slowly lower the sticker, using the thumb of your other hand to press from the center out and gradually working your way from top to bottom.

3. Applying Sticker with the Wet Method

Prepare a soapy mixture using about 5% soap and 95% water. This trick is a lifesaver, especially for large stickers. After cleaning the surface, spray it with a soapy solution. While the area is still wet, apply the decal. The soapy water will keep your sticker from adhering immediately. You will have enough time to reposition your vinyl until you are satisfied with its location.

4. Removing Air and Tiny Bubbles

Use a squeegee or plastic card to remove air, tiny bubbles, and wrinkles. Leave for a few minutes to let the soapy water dry. Then, your sticker will be totally affixed.

5. Removing Transfer Tape

After leaving your decal for several hours, usually 3 hours up to 24 hours, you can now remove the transfer tape. The clear top coating in your sticker is what we call the transfer tape. This tape allows all parts of the decal to come together and maintain proper spacing between or among components.

Tip 1: Install your stickers in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. Apply stickers when temperatures are above 50F and below 90F for best results.

Tip 2: The same process is required for applying adhesive vinyl decals to glasses for signages.

Tip 3: When removing the sticker, peel the decal from one corner and use rubbing alcohol to remove any sticky residue.

That's it! Learning how to put stickers as car decals may seem complicated. Still, hey, you just finish the application process and quickly put a sticker into your car like a pro. Congratulations, and cheers to more designed vinyl stickers application!

Which is better, permanent or removable?

The type of vinyl to use depends on the project and the material you want to apply it. Most adhesive vinyl are classified as permanent or removable.

Do you need help determining what vinyl you need for a particular project? I know it's pretty hard to decide what vinyl you should put on to something to make it stand out, but to help you select, there are factors to be considered.

First, know your surface. What will the vinyl be applied to?

Second, will your vinyl be exposed to temperature? Where will it be showcased? Does it need to be washed?

Lastly, how long do you want your vinyl to be on the surface? Will the vinyl be temporary, or a more permanent application is desired?

Answering these three questions can help determine what vinyl will suit your next project. You're lucky, as CraftVinyl offers a diverse assortment of quality adhesive types of vinyl, from matte to glossy, Standard to Specialty.

How can you tell the difference between removable and permanent vinyl?

Removable and permanent vinyl share the same capabilities:

• Waterproof
• Dishwasher Safe
• Microwave Safe
• Writable with a permanent marker

The main difference between them is the material adhesive's permanence and strength.

Removable vinyl is made with a water-based adhesive, while permanent vinyl is made with a solvent-based adhesive.

Removable vinyl has a matte finish, while permanent vinyl has a high-gloss finish.

Removable vinyl best suited for:

• Food Packaging
• Wine and Beer Bottles
• Calendar Stickers
• Name Tags
• Bumper Stickers
• Electronic Stickers
• Home Organization

Permanent vinyl is the ideal choice for:

• Car wraps
• Boats
• Coffee Mugs
• Work Gear
• Industrial Machinery
• Water Crafts
• Beauty Products
• Doors
• Waste Bin

If you want to use it in water, even though both are waterproof and dishwasher safe, the removable Vinyl will start to peel off too soon.

For D.I.Y. crafters who love to put vinyl decals on their staff, removable vinyl is the one for you. It can last up to three years and can be easily removed if you want to change it for new. And for those craft enthusiasts who wish to have a durable outdoor design, you must go with Permanent Vinyl, as it will give you around three years and up to six years of use.

Crafting with vinyl is really a fantastic adventure. We learn lots of things every time we do personalized projects. And I'm grateful to have you here with me as I discover different craft vinyl projects and ideas. See you next time!

Remember to share these ideas with your family and friends. Also, share your crafting journey with us on our pages.

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For your vinyl crafting needs, please check our website at xvinyl.com. We offer different Adhesive and Heat Transfer Vinyl, perfect for your next project.

Other Vinyl Crafting Articles

Please click the links below for more blogs that you may find helpful in your crafting adventures:

VINYL ON WALLS: LEARNING HOW TO USE VINYL DECALS ON WALLS

AN INTRODUCTION TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF VINYL