I have run into many mild surface scratches most of the time while seating hp vinyl. Many times, you just have to get in there and squeegy the hell out of things in some areas. The result of course, is the scratching from the squeege.... Especially on dark colored vinyl and looking exceptionally noticable around nice auto paint jobs, I have resorted to using about a 2000 grade of 3M auto polish (like you can buy to polish auto clears), with a 30.00 sears random orbital 9 inch polisher.... It works fairly well, getting about 80% of them, but is this the best way to tackle such a problem? Is their a squeege that won't scratch at all. Thanks for the input
they make a tyvek sleeve for a standard squeegee....but the best thing I have found is the "felt block" squeegees from MAC TAC.
barry
------------------ Master's Touch Signs & Screenprinting Clinton AR 5017456246 ICQ 17430008 "Imagine the Possibilities..."
Posted by Jerry Mathel (Member # 526) on :
Jack, Use the tyvek sleeves and then spray on a light coat and wipe down with Rapid-Clear. It's easy to use, and it does a great job of hiding squeegee scratches.
------------------ Jerry Mathel Jerry Mathel Signs Grants Pass, Oregon signs@grantspass.com
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Often, I've found that a bit of extra heat from the heat gun will bring back the vinyl to it's original gloss and finish. This is especially effective when you get a roll with a "mottled" sort of appearance like the surface is glossy with a satin blush on it.
After applying the heat, nothing more needs to be done.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.
Some days you get to be the dog....other days, you get to be the fire hydrant.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Yep the heat works, and in an environment like Arizona like I am, just a couple days out in the sunshine takes care of it.. the scratches just melt away.
You could also try just wrappin a sock or terrycloth towel around the squeegee.. or even place the paper liner on top of the vinyl, silicone side on the vinyl, then squeegee over the paper.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics Lake Havasu City, AZ http://www.stickerpimp.com
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
A tip I picked up here a while back was to wrap one side of a squeegee with a "loop" piece of velcro. Have a couple of the cheap freebees wraped in my box for after the masking comes off/
------------------ Bruce Evans Crown Graphics Covina , CA graphics@westcoach.net
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Bruce I have been using Velcro on my blades for years.. But it to can leave scratches on the surface. Another idea is a wet chammey cloth (SP?) A small amount of water and dish soap with it for gliding.
------------------ Raven/2001 Airbrushed by Raven Lower Sackville N.S. deveausdiscovery@sprint.ca
