The Letterville BullBoard: VHB type adhesive removal technique?

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Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :

We are using engraving material backed with the thin VHB style tape on a formica style laminate backer. The way the process is, you affix the engraving stock to the backer, cut the letters in place, then remove the extra engraving material - sort of like weeding. This is a standard practice for making ADA lettering on an engraving machine. On most backers, the adhesive comes up with the engraving stock, leaving a clean sign.

The problem with formica is, the tape sticks to the formica stronger than it sticks to the engraving stock, so the finished sign is full of adhesive that must be removed.

Lighter fluid softens the stuff into goo then you have to pick out the goo. Rapid remover sort of works but it does not really dissolve the adhesive. Some of the stronger solvents ruin the letters.

Any of you got a good solution to this problem? Thanks for your help! Vic G

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Victor Georgiou
AnchorBlanks.com
Jack Wills Clipart CD's & FONTS
Designer Sign Blanks

Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :

Victor,

VHB Tape (foam tape) sticky stuff made by 3M

My kids put up pictures with the VHB tape in their appartment. Of course when they went to remove the pictures, it tore the plaster board walls to pieces. (I had to repair it)

So, My solution to get the rest of the pictures off the wall with out further damage was to use a butter knife

Slid the butter knife in behind the picture and "sawed" back and forth gently and was able to remove all the pictures from the wall with this technique.

The glue that remained was softend by GOO GONE...(and Rapid Remover will probably work even better for this)

Another thought: I did notice that glue sometimes just rubs off with by vigorously rubbing with one's thumb. Thus, the commercial equivelent is a drill with one of those glue remover disks attached that body shops use to remove glue with out maring the surface of vehicles.

The method above doesn't turn the glue into those disgusting "snot balls" ( gawd I hate that )

I hope this helps, sorry if I didn't understand or answer the question properly.

Later
Draper

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Draper The Signmaker
Bloomington Illinois USA
Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there!
309-828-7110
drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat

Posted by Greg Gulliford (Member # 170) on :

I also saw it in half but instead of a butter knife I use one of the retractable snap off knifes.

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Greg Gulliford
aka MetroDude
Metro Signs and Banners
1403 N. Greene St. #1
Spokane, WA 99202
509-536-9452

mail@metrosignsandbanners.com

Posted by Jerry Morrissey (Member # 203) on :

I carry a box of dental floss in my truck. Fold it over a couple of times & "saw" it back and forth behind the tape. It always works & I can truthfully tell my dentist I use floss.

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Jerry Morrissey
Rapid Graphics & Signs
Omaha NE
402-597-3606
jcm@novia.net

Posted by Rich Stebbing (Member # 368) on :

"Twist n'Shout", like the song, DblStk creates a poblem when pulled staight-back or to in one direction taking plaster, wood, whatever. I have had success in twisting the sign and can it off of the tape or tape and all off of the surface. Try this as a test on a window and you see what I mean. Piano wire or similar (fishing line) can slice through adhesive as well. Oh yeah, the shout part,....if it comes off easy happy sounds would be in order,..if it damages surface then my ears will be ringing. Good luck.

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Rich Stebbing #945
RichSigns
Rohnert Park CA

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