I have to apply an 48" X 9' 4" decal to the side of a tanker trailer. I plan to apply it with a middle hinge, top side first then the bottom side. Any suggestions or tips on applying this huge decal will be appreciated. Judy
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I like to use application fluid sometimes, on larger stuff, which also needs to be done outside, and possibly with some wind...
...so, I would do the center hinge like you suggested, but I'd do the lower half first, so the when I do the top half, the fluid won't be dripping on the paper liner.
Also, sometimes I like to let that top "half" just be 1/3, or 1/4 of the print, because it is more awkward squeegeeing upwards, so a smaller section is easier & provides a more than sufficient "hinge" for the second half to go easier, in my preferred, gravity assisted, squeegeeing direction.
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
I hinge it in the middle. When doing 8' or shorter, I can do it by myself. Being that its over that I would use someone else with me and have them hold the corners just above the surface and hold them fairly tight.
I hinge it in the middle, take one side and peel the paper back, cut it off and let the second person hold it while I squeegey it down.
I use long strokes, going all the way and all the way down, working my way to the outside.
Definately use some kind of application fluid. Also after I tape it up, I like to go around the outside edges with a stablio so that I can later line it up as I go.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Thanks for your tips! Doug, I think applying about a 1/4 of the decal on top and making mostly downard stokes on the bottom will work best for me too. I don't know about applying it wet because this is a Pilot decal that is printed on 680 Scotchcal Reflective Plus with Control Tack material. Laura I wish I was applyng this decal to a flat surface, a verticle center hinge would be the way I would go. But as you know a diesel/gas tanker is round so a horizontal hinge will work best. Thanks, Judy
[ February 26, 2009, 07:54 AM: Message edited by: Judy Pate ]
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
Hopefully you have a place to do it indoors so you don't have to worry about it being too cold or too hot. I think I would do the hinge at the top. If it has Control Tack adhesive, it shouldn't be too difficult to apply dry, as long as you get it to lay flat to start with.
Posted by Jake Lyman (Member # 3280) on :
We did 15 of them that had a 3' stripe 44' long and we hinged them all from the top and worked our way down.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Russ, I am fortunate to have the tanker inside at the trailer shop. After I finish applying the large decal...I have to start removing all the stripes and decal on the other side and replace them. Today the temp is going to reach the 70's so I will probably work outside while removing the stripes & decals. The tanker is chrome so it is very cold. Judy Posted by Pete Payne (Member # 344) on :
Hi, I work alone and stuff that size is a challenge so along with the hinge i also tape or clamp a long light straight piece, say maybe apiece of alum extrusion along the bottom to weigh the bottom down and provide a full length handle. I f you tpape it to the backing under the decal you can roll it down and it will keep the decal from contacting the surface
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
I do a lot of curved tanker decals.
Hinge horizontal about 6" from the top and apply that dry,
Rest gets lots wet application peeling back backing paper as you go,
Felt squeegee helps.
Posted by Blake Koehn (Member # 5984) on :
Judy,
Ask Jon J. for his instructional video for applying stripes like that to tankers. You will find it very informative. Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Because its reflective and its cold, You will be happier with Rapid TacII.
Clean the tanker with "NOTHING OTHER THEN" the Rapid TacII and "cheap kitchen paper towels" (no super absorbant no lint free/static free)nor cloth. You should find this very helpfull.
Blake, that was more like a How (NOT) To.... Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Ok.... I'm going to go ahead and jump in front of the ridicule train and put this link up.... strictly as a comedy routine and NOT as a HOW TO...
First, read this though...
This is the tanker I posted about a while back... they wanted a black stripe down the whole tank. I had set up my camera to take a time lapse video, so it has no audio.... therefore the frustration is not very obvious.
Well, the tank was not perfectly round... in fact the sides flattened out quite a bit on it, but it still had some curvature to it... I decided to try it working from one end to the other.
It did not work. It had just enough curvature to make the vinyl buckle and create problems. I cussed and swore at it so hard, most of the bubbles popped.... I was even worried about the gas exploding in the tank. There was about a 20 mph wind going on which didn't help matters any. It was so bad, my wife quit helping me about halfway through the run, swearing to never touch vinyl again. My dad-in-law and mom-in-law were also on hand to offer witty help and laugh at me.
When it was all said and done, and I'd gone back and taken care of the air bubbles, it actually looked really good. It had lettering that went over the black stripe which helped also and the customer was ecstatic at how it turned out and tells me so every time he sees me.
NOW... on the other side I taped all the way along the top... I folded vinyl back and peeled the backing down about 8 inches the whole length.... sprayed a liberal amount of Rapid Tac on the tank and had my dad-in-law help me flip it down. I start sqeegeeing it down a few inches at a time working back and forth from end to end, making sure to keep it wet with RT underneath so it wouldn't prematurely stick.
It went on like a dream... virtually no bubbles, no wrinkles and really smooth. I was completely amazed at how much easier it was, and very happy with the results. As one who does not use application fluid that much, I'll have to hand it to Roger... the Rapid Tac turned that hard job into an easy one.
The way the first side turned out, I didn't bother setting up the video for the second side. I wish I would have now, because it worked SO much better....
BTW- my wife doesn't have fleas, she kept putting her hair behind her ears because of the wind. She hates this video and will kill me if she finds out I posted it on here... Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
Jon to Jon
Yer "rapidly" qualiflying to become the HNSC Vinyl Jokey Jon!
Yer have to do an Aussie "Road Train" 3 trailer minimum with stripes and logos in a howling gale by yerself yet!
At least I used a plank between the ladders!
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jon Butterworth: Jon to Jon
Vinyl Jokey
Uh-huh. I caught that. Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
I realllly wish you had video taped the wet app with Rapid Tac Jon, infact if you or anyone else tapes a Rapid Tac (or TacII) application, large or small, well, Id be very generous with them for a copy with rights !!
Its always been more impressive (in my opinion) to see a video done in the field by real sign or graphic folks "makin a livin".
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