Hi all Just wondering about a possible job coming up where I have some 3M frosted vinyl to put onto windows. It’s the sandblast look vinyl that has the sparkles in it. Since I don’t have access to the wonders of rapid-tac I am thinking of using water with a little washing up liquid to apply the vinyl in areas of 36”x24”.
My question is about the water solution and about cutting the vinyl.
I would prefer to do the little cutting that is required, on site, after application. But will the wet application make the vinyl likely to slide while cutting. I have to cut a simple wave pattern on the top of the 36” edge. I would draw it on with a cardboard stencil and then cut it. The other way would be to cut it on the plotter and then application tape and then apply wet but that means my alignment will have to be spot on and in the location that this is in that will be hard. If I can cover the areas first and then cut there should be no problem.
If you can understand the problem then any help would be welcome. I don’t do a lot of this kind of apllication.
Footnote:I want to travel to the job and do it all in one session.
Posted by Ian Wilson (Member # 177) on :
miles I do all glass work dry any other way is toooo hard
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Ian, I truly wish we had Rapid Tac in your land, so I could hear you change your mind !!
Miles, you should be able to purchase from ALL PRINT SUPPLY in Manchester UK !
If you apply with soap and water, it won't dry for hours(to the point you could "cut in place".
If you apply with Rapid Tac or TacII, you can "cut in place" within 10 minutes, it will be bonded firmly enough to acomplish this. Check with ALL PRINT !!
Roger Posted by Steve Nuttle (Member # 2645) on :
I'm with Ian, do it dry. Rapid Tac is great stuff and I do wet apps on larger trailers and such but for most windows and smaller stuff I prefer dry application. Good luck! I'm sure it will come out great.
Best Regards, Steve
Posted by Miles Cullinane (Member # 980) on :
Thanks for the replies I have worked with this particular vinyl before and it is unforgiving. if it goes down wrong there is no snap it back up and do it right. It just tears or wrinkles.
It is great in visual effect though!
Posted by Eoin Quigley (Member # 2302) on :
Miles, I know O'Sullivans had samples of Rapid Tac, at the signshow, why not give them a call I'd go for wet and cut on the glass,
[ March 26, 2002, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: Eoin Quigley ]
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
I had the same alignment problem with frosted panels recently. Did a series of glass panels above display shelving in a gift shop. Each panel was about 12" x 3ft and incorporated reverse cut lettering in the middle.
The problem was none of the panels were exactly the same size and some were not truely square. Also I wanted a 1/2" clear border.
I cut each panel slightly oversize and applied wet. I used PLAIN water! I always do. You will find household detergents quite often affect the glue on the vinyl.
I then cut 1/2" strips of acrylic to act as border template ... put a new blade in my knife and breezed thru the whole job on site.
Posted by Miles Cullinane (Member # 980) on :
ROger, no offense, really. I will be getting my hands on some samples soon but I am doing this job today.I persuaded a friend of mine who has an all vinyl sign shop to try your products and they can't believe the glue remover. They love it.
In regards to my problem it has been suggested that I try a mix of 50% water and 50% alcohol with a little washing up liquid. has anyone had bad experiences with that system? Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Thank you Miles!!!!!!!
On your question, there must be thousands of formulas for soap(surfactant), you unfortunitly won't have time to test for the "one that leaves the least residue" go VERY easy on the soap !!
Roger Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
Miles! Did you register what i said about adding anything to the water if you are applying wet? Soap will quite often react with the vinyl glue! Any reaction will will show as a streaky shadow on translucent or "frosted" vinyl. Alcohol additives in moderation will slightly speed up your drying time but again you would be dicing with possible imperfections. If you can't get Rogers products ....(and sue him if they don't work) hahahhaha ....stick to PLAIN WATER misted on and maybe a heat gun to assist adhesion Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I'm with Jon.
Since you can't get Rapid-Tac 2, use plain water. I would also add some 70% isopropl alcohol to help expedite evaporation. Don't use any soap.
Posted by Miles Cullinane (Member # 980) on :
Well The outcome of the job is that once again rapid roger saves the day.
I was able to call in to a friend in the trade and borrow his squirt bottle of rapid-tac and off I went. The stuff went on fine and set up for cutting pretty fast. The excess vinyl had to peeled before all the liquid was gone but not to soon. I think if I had worked with a soapy mix I could have been waiting a long time before cutting.
If you haven’t seen the 3M sandblast effect vinyl you haven’t seen the best imitation sandblast vinyl. The downside is that it is very fragile. I would challenge those who said to put it on dry. Try that yourself and you will regret it. I am not trying to be antagonistic but unless you have used this specific vinyl you don’t realise how tricky it is.
I have worked with this material dry before and you can’t move an air bubble and you can’t lift it back up even if you haven’t pressed it down yet. The finished look makes up for all the negative points.
Once again thanks to everybody for the replies. Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Thanks Miles! You have helped me get out the good word and hopefully saved others from loosing money on an otherwise profitable job !!
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I don’t do a lot of this kind of apllication. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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The downside is that it is very fragile. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)