FAQ's about UPPERCASE LIVING vinyl embellishments & expressions
Uppercase Living embellishments and expressions are the ideal dêcor item because they are an unforgettable way to express your unique style and personality. To help you learn more about the unique products we offer, we've provided answers to our most frequently asked questions. We're confident the information you find here will be invaluable to you as you begin to purchase, apply, and enjoy Uppercase Living products.
Q: What are Uppercase Living® expressions made of?
A:Our expressions are made of a very thin, flexible, vinyl. They are backed with a light adhesive for easy application to walls or other smooth surfaces.
Q: What types of surfaces can Uppercase Living expressions be applied to?
A:Expressions can be applied to just about any clean, smooth, and weather-resistant surface that is free of dust, grease, or other contaminates. Expressions may not adhere to heavily-textured surfaces, but can adhere to lightly textured walls. We strongly discourage installation of expressions on certain surfaces such as brick, stucco, concrete block, suede paints, and sand paints.
In very rare occurrences, a surface may not release an expression without causing damage. Please contact your Demonstrator for a sample to test your surface before placing an order. You can also visit our Application Instructions for more detailed information.
Q: Can expressions be installed on wallpaper?
A:Yes. Expressions can be applied to certain types of wallpaper; however, wallpaper can vary widely in texture and quality. Also, some expressions may not release from certain wallpapers without causing damage. Please contact your Demonstrator for a sample to test your surface before placing an order.
Q: Will Uppercase Living expressions adhere to all paints?
A:Our expressions install easily on the most common types of home decorating paints, such as latex- and oil-based. They will also work on other paints, although some highly textured paints or paints with additives can make application extremely difficult.
Examples of paints that fall into this category are faux, magnetic, sand, and suede paints. Before ordering, please ask your Demonstrator for a sample and test in an inconspicuous area to see whether an expression will work with your paint.
Q: Can I apply an expression to a newly painted wall?
A:Freshly painted walls should be allowed to cure for at least two weeks before you apply expressions or embellishments.
Q: Will Uppercase Living expressions damage my wall?
A:When walls have been prepared as directed and properly maintained after application of expressions, most people have no wall damage when expressions are removed. Please be aware that, as with any decorative medium, there is potential for wall damage.
Q: I can't get my expression to transfer to my surface; what do you suggest?
A:• Make sure the surface and expressions are at room temperature. If a surface is too cold, gradually heat it to room temperature with a blow dryer on the low setting.
NOTE: Use care to avoid overheating the expression and/or wall to avoid damage.
For example, to apply an expression on your front door when the outside temperature is below freezing, use a blow dryer to warm the exterior surface of the door to room temperature before you apply the expression. Then, once the expression has been applied, continue to warm the surface for awhile to allow the adhesive time to bond to the surface.
Tip: Depending on the temperature outside, sometimes the finished surface on the inside of an exterior wall can be colder than room temperature.
• Avoid applying expressions when the climate is very humid.
• Make sure there is no residue on a wall surface such as grease, smoke, or soot. Even cigarette smoke can cause a buildup on surfaces.
If you cleaned your wall, make sure there is no leftover residue and that the wall is completely dry. Often, a wall surface feels dry to the touch but moisture has been absorbed into the wall material beneath. This moisture is released to the surface as the wall continues to dry, breaking the adhesive bond and pushing the expression off the surface.
• As you remove the transfer tape, try firmly pressing the expression on the wall with your thumb or a dry rag.
• Burnish the expression onto the surface. Then, using a sponge, dampen the back of the transfer tape before you peel it away. This will help the expression release from the tape.
• If a surface is heavily textured, some expressions may not adhere to it as well as other surfaces. If this is the case, you may want to apply the expression to another surface that has less texture, such as one of our accessories. If the surface is lightly to moderately textured and it seems like the expression should be able to adhere to it, try using a blow-dryer on the low heat setting.
NOTE: Use care to avoid overheating the expression and/or wall to avoid damage.
• Warm the surface to room temperature before applying the expression, and then warm the expression itself while burnishing it onto the surface. This technique makes expressions a bit more pliable and adaptable to the surface texture.
Q: I installed an expression but it is starting to peel off. What do I do?
A:If part of an expression starts to come off a surface, use washable glue, such as a glue stick or wallpaper paste or glue, to reattach it. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and test the adhesive in an inconspicuous place before applying it to your expression. If you need one, ask your Demonstrator for a sample to test.
Q: Can I wash the expression once it has been applied?
A:Yes. We recommend that you use a soft cloth or sponge dampened with cool water to clean your expression. Avoid using cleaners that contain alcohol, abrasives, citrus additives, or ammonias. When an expression is applied on a window or mirror, take special care to avoid glass cleaners that contain alcohol, ammonia, or citrus additives.
Q: Can Uppercase Living expressions be used outdoors?
A:Yes, our expressions can be used outdoors. Make sure the surface is clean and dry and free of dirt and debris. Some examples of successful applications are automobiles; exterior windows and doors of homes; exterior home decorations, such as treated boards or metal objects like mailboxes; exterior signs; and so on. When applied to exterior surfaces, expect a shortened product life due to exposure to weather and other elements. For longer outdoor product life, try our Premium-Bond material.
Q: Will my expression crack, peel, fade, or warp?
A:When an expression has been applied as directed and is protected from direct sunlight and harsh weather, you should not have issues with cracking, peeling, fading, or warping.
Q: What temperatures is the expression able to withstand?
A:Once installed, our expressions will withstand a temperature range between -20°F and +150°F.
Q: How long will the expression last after it has been applied to a surface?
A:Uppercase Living expressions are not intended for permanent application; however, they can last for months or years depending on the surface and environment. Expressions applied indoors can last significantly longer than expressions applied outdoors where they are exposed to weather.
Q: How do I remove an expression?
A:When you are ready to remove an Uppercase Living expression, warm it slightly with a blow dryer on the low heat setting.
NOTE: Use care to avoid overheating the expression and/or wall to avoid damage.
Hold the blow dryer approximately eight inches away from the expression, taking care not to overheat your paint. Gently lift a corner of each letter or design with a fingernail and pull down slowly.
Q: When Uppercase Living expressions are removed, does residue remain on the wall? If so, how do I remove it?
A:Typically, our expressions do not leave a sticky residue; however, several factors can affect this, including the length of time the expression has been displayed on a surface. If some residue remains upon removal of an expression, try using isopropyl alcohol or other residue removers to remove it. As always, follow the manufacturer's recommendations to avoid damage to your surface.
Q: What is sun fade, and what causes it?
A:Sun fade, also known as shading or ghosting, can occur when exposure to sunlight causes a surface to fade or darken. For example, framed art can prevent the wall treatment behind it from fading at the same rate as the rest of the wall because sunlight never reaches it. When the art is moved to a new position on the wall, a darker spot remains. The same thing can happen with an expression depending on its placement, the amount of light it receives, and the surface to which it is applied.
Sun fading can happen to almost any surface regardless of the treatment applied (paint, fabric, stain, lacquer, and so on), but it is most common with oil-based paint. Sun fade is not caused by the material used in the manufacture of the expression.
Q: Once an expression has been installed, can it be re-used?
A:No, expressions cannot be reapplied once they have been used. They are intended for one-time application.
Q: If my walls are too textured, what other options do I have for displaying my expression?
A:If you have heavily-textured walls, you can choose from many options to display your expression. For example, you can install an expression on a flat, smooth surface that you can hang on your wall such as a board, glass, or a mirror. You can also display expressions on tiles, metal, and blocks, among other surfaces. Refer to our Idea Catalog or go to our website for more ideas.
Q: What should I consider before installing an expression on a car?
A:Keep in mind that the chances of damage to an expression applied on the exterior of a vehicle may increase due to exposure to the elements and impact from road debris.
NOTE: Use of an ice scraper will destroy expressions applied on window exteriors.
Typically, windshield wipers and rear defrosters do not interfere with expressions installed on glass.
Q: Can expressions on a car go through a car wash?
A:An automatic car wash should not ruin an expression. If a car is being washed with a hand-held pressure washer, extra care should b