This has never been requested of me before, so I just want to run it by everyone.
An existing customer purchased a used van and the existing vinyl has not (or will not) be removed. He is wanting me to cover the existing lettering area with a decal large enough to cover it up. I have explained the "pillow effect", and he is fine with this.
I do not remove old vinyl and could have a body shop do it, but he is not wanting the extra expense of removing it.
Anyone have experience, good or bad, doing this?
Do you see any application or other issues here?
Thank you.
Posted by Rodger MacMunn (Member # 4316) on :
It'll be fine as long as no-one finds out you did it.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Why on earth will he not remove the old vinyl lettering??? Don't guarantee anything... I would'nt.
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
I do it all the time. I've got a sign that I'm covering for the THIRD time this way. Leave the bubbles (or pillows) alone and they will eventually disappear. Just like magic. Well--almost like magic. Just a did a semi the other day this way. Use an air release controltac-style vinyl and the bubbles in the vinyl will go away almost immediately.
It isn't ideal, but if the customer is okay with it, I would do it. From a few feet away, no one will notice enough to matter.
Just make sure the customer knows that he can not expect perfection from this method!!!!
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
Neil ... yer post beat me by seconds!!!
Usually the customer wants this done as a matter of finances ... aka, he's too broke to care!!!
Like I said ... not ideal ... but no problems so far.
Besides ... I hate removing vinyl!!!!!!!
Posted by Jim Moser (Member # 6526) on :
Covering the old lettering instead of removing it, doesn't say much about the quality of the customer's work, let alone yours.... Maybe show him how to remove it and let him do it to save himself a few $$$$$....
[ June 27, 2011, 11:52 AM: Message edited by: Jim Moser ]
Posted by Rodger MacMunn (Member # 4316) on :
Would you eat at a restaurant where they couldn't afford a dishwasher & they just put your food on the last guy's dirty plate? As a consumer, if these guys are going to cut corners like this I sure as hell wouldn't be doing business with them.
Posted by Jerry Starpoli (Member # 1559) on :
What Rodger said...
Posted by Mike South (Member # 4523) on :
Sometimes it is just more practical for the customer. Easy for our trained eyes to notice and be irritated by it. The reality is most people will not notice. More important to look at each job and help the customer meet his/her goal and budget while making a profit. Be sure to educate that the best and proper way is to remove vinyl. and as Neil said no guarantee. OH Ya. 15years of making signs and i still have yet to eat a meal off of vinyl.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
There is a zapper that you can remove some of the old lettering and leave a ghost maybe? Then at least some of it will be there, right?
Maybe if you tell them it costs more to leave it on? Have you asked probing questions? Maybe they think it will be thicker and sturdier?
Good luck!
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
A cutomer brought us a pan-tech truck that they wanted relettered-OVER the top of what was there. The stuff underneath was vinyl over, and under, 2-pac urethane clear.
I scuffed it, very lightly sanded the raised edges, painted it black (enamel, with hardener), and then cut & masked & painted on what they wanted-over the black.
Two years later they brought me another truck in the same state to do the same to- both trucks still look fine as seen in traffic or as you drive past the shop.
I was very diligent in making sure the paint would stick thoroughly to what was underneath though. 'Money' was the issue in not removing the former urethane & vinyl.
These days maybe a full-wrap might be done to cover it all up, but back then, the way we did it was practical. The background was totally black in the new layout. I'm not sure how that might affect the vinyl adhesion (of a wrap) on hot days...
Posted by Craig Sjoquist (Member # 4684) on :
OUCH , Knows I dislike seeing vinyl over vinyl or worst yet which I see all the time here in Orlando
Is Vinyl over UNCLEANED adhesive that's the worst.
They got all that fancy equipment to make advertising so perfect and install over uncleaned adhesive, bad enough they just install crooked.
But if have a small run while hand lettering all hell break loose lol
