Just seein' if there's any tips for putting this stuff on. I know if I used Computer cut vinyl thats been premasked and use RT or Soap n water (not to get on a debate), that I would end up baby sitting the stuff until it sticks. I will be applying a solid, nonpremasked peice using Rojers stuff. Wrap my squeegie in a sock or suck and I should be done.
Any tips?
Posted by Cpack (Member # 2011) on :
Clean the glass with RT and then put it on dry. The transfer tape is to be remove right after you put it on. It depends on the size of the decal but there is no babysitting if go the dry route.
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Corey
Depending on how big the piece is.. But if it is to large the best way is to float it on with Rapid Tac.. I use a roller to apply and Squeegee as well to take out any trapped fluid. I find that if you do it dry and you run into trouble with air bubbles you can pin prick it but you will end up with white soft spots (You never get them out and looks like someone shot it with a shotgun.
Etch is a nice product but can lose your profits if done wrong. Posted by Corey Wine (Member # 1640) on :
It's for a front entrance door.32" x 7' or so
An exemployer of mine did a big job once (dry) and Fkd it up. I (dry app sign guy) recommended wet and it worked great. being 3 years ago, I thought Id check to see if I lewft anything out.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Corey,
Use RapidTac 2 for applications on glass, that's what it's for. You won't have to babysit it at all, in fact I've started using RT2 for ALL applications now cause it works much faster than RT.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I'd probably use pre-mask & spray the RT on top after application to reduce the adhesion before removing it. but if you're not using premask for your solid piece, then babysitting is a non-issue.
For cut shapes, especially fine detail, I would apply dry, but for a big panel like yours, I would also go with some app. fluid.
Posted by Larry Presnell (Member # 265) on :
Ditto on RT 2!!
Posted by Cpack (Member # 2011) on :
Since it is that big I would use the rapidtac. My supplier doesn't carry the 2, wish they would. I guess I'll have to find it from somewhere else. Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Small pieces can be lifted from the tranfer paper and EYE RE-APPLIED! No Finger contact...Pick up with Exacto Knife.
Sometimes a pain in the butt! But then again a Heat Gun helps contact Film to surface.... Very little heat.......But enough to secure it! Posted by Corey Wine (Member # 1640) on :
Well, I did it.
No prob. Well, I sprayed the outside, side window next to the door it was going on. The door was propped wide open so my fluids didn't get caught in their carpet. I soaked the window so my material would stay/ stick to it, pulled the backing paper off of it and was soaking the NOW REALLY HOT 2mil etched vinyl(from the hot morning sun) When Murphy came by. Yup, a 2 minute bout with this mystery wind.......no dirt in it thank god.
I thought for sure that it was ruined, got creesed or sumpin. Amazingly, after 25 minutes or so, it turned out awesome except for a dime sized creese that couldn't really be seen. My back up plan if my customer noticed was to say, hey these things happen but, I could cut a "say" 1" X 30" strip out of this window vinyl and reapply a 3/4" x 30" strip and you, the customer, now have a decorative appeal about your entrance door. Didn't have to but, I thought I would throw that option out there for you heads. Always gotta be thinkin' & thanks.
Posted by Brian Snyder (Member # 41) on :
I know its after the fact but heres another tip for applying a material that is new to you. Just bring an extra piece (maybe 1'x1') to the site. Apply it wet (or dry) and see how it works. If it goes on great dry skip the wet stuff. Better yet, try it at your own shop before you leave.
I've found that when applying Avery's Etchlook vinyl it needs about 24 hours for all the moisture to evaporate. Actually, I guess all vinyls do but with the transparant nature of the product you can actually see it. It looks good initially but even better the day after its applied.
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Brian
What a Nice little cut outline or crease you will have in the main image.......
Hurt me to think so.... Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Yep, if ya follow those instructions the vinyl will bond enough in just 2 minutes that you can pull the tape and walk away. But if you don't then I guess you will be babysittin......
The R.T.II is a lot faster, but I been using R.T (old formula) on glass apps for a lot a years.
Oh, if yer in an area that is likely to get some wind gusts or brezes, spray the back of vinyl as you remove the liner, this keeps it from stickin where you don't want it to.
Roger Posted by Brian Snyder (Member # 41) on :
Stephen-
Huh?
Posted by Laurie Goretski (Member # 3821) on :
Corey, We have found that if you apply wet to glass and then use a heat gun it will adhere a bit quicker. Another good thing about it is if you have bubbles, they can be poked and flattened with very little evidence they were even there. We love to use this stuff on glass. It looks very classy. . . .good luck!
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Sorry Brian
I was off into space.... I thought you were talking about taking patching pieces...........
To myself..read before typing. Posted by Brian Snyder (Member # 41) on :
Stephen-
LOL. I've been "lost in space" quite a few times...this week. Yes, I did mean test pieces that you'd remove before applying the big pieces.
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
Corey ... don't PREMASK big panels!
Trick is find a glass area size to fit and spray it down with RT (we use filtered water and couple drops dishwash ... works fine)
Place your etch vinyl face down on the wet glass and peel the backing paper off. Spray the back and flip over onto the area you want to cover. 7ft would probably require 2 persons.
Use a felt squeegee or at least a sleeve on a regular one. Make sure your hands are spotless clean as fingerprints show up something bad
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