I have been asked to install a vinyl sign in a hockey arena. I cannot use a substrate as the customer wants the vinyl applied directly on the wall. Given that the inside temperature is much cooler than outside, is there anything special I should do to ensure the sticky stuff stays stuck? By the way, although I don't often post to the bulletin board, I do visit often and enjoy reading all the valuable info you guys put out there!
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Hi Jack...
What is "the wall" surface?
Is the "wall" colder than zero celcius?
I'm just thinking that more info might be necessary.
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
We've done a huge double rinked arena with no problem...except for frozen fingers when my husband had to go up on a lift to do graphics almost to the ceiling. The surface that we had to install on was tile or some kind of block. I don't remember know. He just made sure to heat the surface up pretty good first, with a heat gun.
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Jack call Cal Trauter there in Penticton.."Raven Sign" he's a vynull genius!
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Rapid TacII !! Works when temps are down in the 20s. You MUST clean the wall first with The Rapid TacII and "cheap grocery store paper towels" then spray the wall again, pull release liner and apply, squeegee from center out in all directions. Wait 90 seconds after squeegeeing then spray trans tape, pull from top corner at 45degree angle toward bottom.
Roger p.s. want free samples? e-mail your street address to; mail@rapidtac.com
Posted by Robert Cole (Member # 477) on :
Jack:
you can do this quite sucessfully. Keep several things in mind
(1) Make sure the wall surface is "CLEAN", and "DRY" (2) Use High Performance vinyl ONLY! (3) Use transfer tape with a very low tack, it will release the vinyl to the wall much better. (4)Heat the transfer paper, and vinyl Before removing the transfer tape. (5) Reheat the vinyl and rub it down with a rivet brush to get the vinyl to adhere to the surface.
BTW: If the wall has not been painted, insist that the surface be sealed with a good enamal based paint, or clear before applying the graphics.
i have used this method and applied H.P. vinyl to rocks and stone surfaces OUTDOORS. And they still look good after several years.
Bob C.
Posted by Ricky Jackson (Member # 5082) on :
If it's really cold couldn't you just spray water on the back of the adhesive and let it freeze to the wall? Just kidding.
Posted by Bill Lynch (Member # 3815) on :
Are you lettering the boards or interior walls?
Posted by Jack Ambler (Member # 3255) on :
Thanks to all of you for your advice. The vinyl is to be applied to a painted wall and I would guess that the air temperature inside the building is right around 5 degrees celcius. I haven't tried RapidTac before so my street address is on it's way to Roger!
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Jack..Since it is above freezing I'd use Rapid Tac to clean the surface (It is an excellent cleaning agent) and apply the vinyl dry using Robert's suggestions.
I'm assuming that the wall is concrete block that has been painted with a gloss enamel?
Posted by Paul Vartanian (Member # 6113) on :
If it's a smooth surface just heat it first 1 letter at a time. Pell transfer tape slow, it will stick fine. I live in Mass & have done Vinyl on Trucks in the middle of the winter outside with a heat gun.
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Paul, no affence but, it takes some time to heat up a letter at a time with a heat gun.
Roger
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Sounds to me like Dave still hasn't figured out the cold weather use of Rapid Tac, nor the advantages on glass without waiiittttiiinnngggg. Hey Dave, I'll try to call you tomorrow !
Roger
Posted by Paul Vartanian (Member # 6113) on :
Roger, You don't heat the letters, you heat the surface. It doesn't take as long as it sounds, Unless your doing 12"+ letters & none taken
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Hey Roger...It was nice of you to call today...
I, for one, appreciate that a manufacturer would take the time to contact me personally. It says a lot for the person and the product.
I'll be doing the test that I mentioned..as soon as the temps get down to freezing. (hopefully..only one day before we escape to the south!!! )
Actually I'll do two tests..one with the "industrial" paper towels I mentioned and one with the "cheapest, no name" paper towels from the grocery store.
I'll post results when the tests are completed.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
I can verify that. I applied vinyl on a glass church door using Rogers products and it was below freezing. The interior vestibule was not heated so we were working on very cold glass. It worked. It was installed on Jan 2 in Michigans Upper Peninsula. You know how cold it gets up here.
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Glad you "got it" Dave S., and thanks for lettin everyone know !!
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