a quick vinyl definition
Most vinyl failures are similar to paint failures; inadequate prep or application.
If vinyl is securely stuck to the surface, it will last it's warranted time, say 5 to 9 years without fading or peeling etc.
If it is stretched across a seam, bridged over panels, or 'tented' over a rivet, that unsupported material will fail.
Obviously, something flat on the wing is exposed to much harsher UV than something on the side of the fuselage ( in sun only 1/3 of the day) or underwing, ( possibly never in the sun).
All the of the big manufacturers such as 3M, Arlon, Avery, Oracal have premium automotive products. You want to ensure it's a CAST film, not calendared.
this means they pour a liquid resin into sheets and very accurately profile it to 2 mils thick....then apply the adhesive and backing sheet etc.
Calendared films start as a big ball of vinyl dough, and are stretched and rolled repeatedly until they meet the 2.5 or 3.2 mil profile desired. Over time, they Will try to shrink back into a ball, so the edges curl up, or you'll see exposed adhesive getting dirty around the edges. The larger the area, the more evident the shrinkage as a percentage.
You can buy cheap 1/4" striping at the autoparts store or Wal-mart, and it might last forever, just because it ain't gonna shrink much across that tiny width.
