I lettered a Fire Department Rescue Sled last winter with Avery reflective vinyl. The lettering has been coming off and/or bubbling. I suspect outgassing so I doubt the vinyl is at fault. It appears the sled is made from polypropolene and I should have realized this when the OEM vinyl came off so easily. The only options I can think of is to ; bolt PVC sign panels to the sides and rear. ; do the same with aluminum panels. ; paint the areas to be lettered with a plastic adhesion promotor or Krylon, then reletter. ; leave town They realize this is a unique problem and anything I can do will be appreciated. But since I may have more of this type of unit to letter, I would like to find a solution. This sled is prone to minor abraision from tree branches since most rescues are for snowmobilers and hikers. Any mechanical attachment(bolts, molly screws) should be as flush as possible with the interior so not to snag on patients clothing or blankets.
Any Similar Experiences, Ideas or Cautions will be greatly appreciated. Thank You
Posted by Todd Kehoe (Member # 1650) on :
Im am not sure if this will help, but lets see.
I had a problem with Avery Relective on 2 fleets, one the local Fire Dept and the other a security co. (20+ vehicles) but it was only the white reflective film, When it was first brought to my attention I thought it was outgassing too (new paint jobs) and I would be stuck covering the costs. I contacted my supplier and they contacted Avery, it turned out to be defective film. Long story short they supplied new film and the cost for removal and reinstall.
If this doesnt help and Im left with your options I vote that you "Leave Town".
Posted by Ron Costa (Member # 3366) on :
Todd, Its not the vinyl. I used the same gold reflective, from the same roll, to letter their enclosed trailer, at the same time. I inspected it today, and it shows no out gassing, lifting, peeling, or shrinking. Also both these units are storewd in the same environment, a heated station house. Wonder how much bus fare is to Vancouver. lol
Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
Sounds a lot like a thread we've discussed recently... I had a similar problem with applying graphics to a new snowmobile.I just received the convex vinyl today, I'll report on how it works.
Ron, I had the same problem. Did a bunch of cop cars with Avery reflective and some spots pulled right up and others stuck tight.
[ January 04, 2005, 07:33 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Ron,
Think race car snouts...
Rapid
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Use paint
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Is this polyproplyne a form of plastic? I once read on a thread on here about heating the plastic with a torch to out gas it to make the vinyl stick well. I tried this on some plastic Job Johnnies, & it worked. I could actually SEE a halo come off the plastic as I heated it, & the vinyl stuck well. Don't know if this will help.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Out gassing is one of those terms that belongs right up there with signage...
Hahahahahahahahahaha!
Hey, my signages are out gassing.... Guess I am sleeping on the couch tonight.
Posted by Donald Thompson (Member # 3726) on :
I did a dirt bike gas tank last year that did the same thing. I am pretty sure it was some type of polypropolene. I flamed it with vinly and it looked great. Came in the next morning and there were little bubbles in it everywhere. Maybe it was the same problem.
Posted by Colleen Henderson (Member # 906) on :
We have had same issue with new sleds. I believe it is the polyethylene body which is same or similar stuff that dirt bikes are. It has to be heat sealed with flame from torch for vinyl to stick. We won't do it but have had a few customers do their bikes & then vinyl stuck fine. On sleds we just put nos up on fiberglass body - pretty limited for space tho.
Posted by Steve Purcell (Member # 1140) on :
Polypropylene is extremely low energy - same class as teflon.
I've heard of some success with flaming the surface.
Bottom line though, is that acrylic adhesives don't stick well to low energy materials. Rubber based adhesives are preferable.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
I'm sorry . . I tho't polypropylene was plastic sheeting that came on rolls up to 100 feet in black or clear! And someone else used the word 'polyethylene'.
I have questions . . .
Is it the name of a new kind of paint or plastic??
Is it like the same plastic mail boxes are made of??
Are you sure it's not fiberglass???
How thick is it??
Would Dupont's Mid-Coat Adhesion Promoter work on it??
What other vehicles might be made with this mysterious material???
It sounds silicon-like. I know vinyl nor paint will stick to any thing silicone.
WHERE'S Z' on this???? Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Sheila....Polypropylene ha been around as long as polyethylene. It's like a big brother to polyethylene....heavier, stronger and more flexable and impact resistant.
Rubber based adhesives stick to it much better than other types, such as those found on duct tape. Contact cement usually works pretty well, too.
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