I am doing an install tomorrow for some vehicle decals... most of it is no big deal (just cut vinyl, applied to the van)... but one part of it I am a bit unsure of.
It is a full-colour (CMYK) image printed on Scotchcal 220 2mil vinyl, size is 52" long by 24" high. Since we have a Gerber EDGE, we had to print it in two, 11.75" panels.
What I am unsure of is how to lay it down. How should I premask the graphic? Should I leave a 1/4" or so non-masked like I usually do so I can line up by splatting? What I was thinking is hinge the top of the top part, lay it down, and then splat the second part down.
The problem with this is that there is very little overlap on the join, and because of the width it is a two-person job which makes it that much more difficult to line up. Since it's 2mil vinyl, it's also sensitive to stretching, so constantly repositioning this thing isn't going to work out very well.
I would like to hear some suggestions as to how I should go about this. Is there an easy way for me to hinge the top panel, lay it down, and then somehow hinge the bottom panel so it can also be laid down in the same fashion?
Thanks in advance for your replies,
Dylan
-------------------- Dylan Cooke Vinyl Signmaker / Computer Systems Administrator Imagine That 734 First Ave. North Saskatoon, SK Canada S7K 1Y1 Tel: (306) 244-1380 d.cooke@wowmail.com Posts: 6 | From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada | Registered: May 2004
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Dylan...I never "splat" any jobs. I hinge everything.
In your case, with the edge prints, there is obviously an overlap and the two pieces have to align correctly.
The way I would do it is align both prints on the bench and tape both down with masking tape. Premask each one entirely. Mask the top one first and fold it back a bit to allow you to then mask the lower one. Let the top one lay down again and use a strip of masking tape, on top of the premask, to join the two halves together.
Assuming that the graphic is a horizontal layout, at the job, centre hinge the whole thing vertically and then apply the bottom right part first. Then the top right part. Then apply the bottom left and then the top left. (remember to remove the premask as necessary as you go of course)
Done this way it is an easy one person application ( you are only dealing with something 26"x11.75" at each point in the job) and there is no need for "splatting" anything. Also no need for application fluid unless you are uncomfortable without it.
I know it is hard to explain with words but run it around in your head before you fall asleep tonight and it will all fall into place logically.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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Install the bottom one first, the top leading edge will be covered with the top graphic. Use clear transfer tape on the top one so you can see the seam clearly. Edge defaults to .10 inch overlap, so consider this when applying. Also, it helps having another person holdint the other end of the second graphic, keeping it tight while you position it into place.....good luck!
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3489 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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If it's 2 part, you need to put the bottom one on first so the top will overlap it instead of the other way around. Helps water flow over the top and bottom pieces instead of maybe being able to get under the bottom one.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I do a lot of that, & would agree with Rick & Chris on laying the bottom panel first, then remove the tape, then the top panel may have excess release liner & application tape outside the bottom cut edge of the vinyl.. if so, trim that down to the bottom edge (without cutting into your limited overlap of course)so you can line it up.
I also always hinge, never splat, but I differ from Dave's idea here... IMO the only sure way to end up with an alignment that is just as good as what you can line up before you apply the second piece is to put your tape hinge on the bottom of the second piece... right at the seam. Then you have to install upside down, but your tape holds things just right so no streching or straying out of square can mess you up.
I could do this single handed too, but a helper can be even better/ Have them hold one corner while you hold the other, & they can help remove the liner. I would usually squeegee myself on that size job & just have helper to kep their corner close but not touching the van.
The way I ended up doing it was first hinging the bottom one, but doing a vertical hinge on four parts of it... (this is a bit icky to describe in words but bear with me here)... first I got the hinges down, and then pulled back about 12" of the backing paper and pulled it behind the graphic, sliding the backing paper underneath... I then started squeegeeing down, and slowly pulling the backing paper as I went until I got to the end of the panel.
Then after the first (bottom) panel was done, I did the same thing with the top and after about 45 minutes, I was done!
Of course, it would be wrong for me to not mention that I had some help with this... a friend (who has many years of experience with this) gave me a hand, pointing out any mistakes I was making... it was really helpful!
Again thanks for your suggestions, folks... it always helps to be able to rely on the forums for some great answers.
-------------------- Dylan Cooke Vinyl Signmaker / Computer Systems Administrator Imagine That 734 First Ave. North Saskatoon, SK Canada S7K 1Y1 Tel: (306) 244-1380 d.cooke@wowmail.com Posts: 6 | From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada | Registered: May 2004
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Yeah... it takes a while longer when you're first starting out.
I know that most of you probably would have been done in five minutes.. lol... but I took my time on it to make sure it was done right, and it turned out nicely.
-------------------- Dylan Cooke Vinyl Signmaker / Computer Systems Administrator Imagine That 734 First Ave. North Saskatoon, SK Canada S7K 1Y1 Tel: (306) 244-1380 d.cooke@wowmail.com Posts: 6 | From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada | Registered: May 2004
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Not this job... I did this one dry because of the method of hinging I was using. There was no way (or it would have been more hassle than worth) to get the Rapid Tac in between the vinyl and the van, as I was pulling the backing.... either way though, I took my time and used a nice stern squeegee, and I didn't end up with any bubbles! It might have taken longer than it should have... but boy did it ever turn out nice.
I have some pictures of it.. perhaps when I have more time I will post them in the Gallery.
-------------------- Dylan Cooke Vinyl Signmaker / Computer Systems Administrator Imagine That 734 First Ave. North Saskatoon, SK Canada S7K 1Y1 Tel: (306) 244-1380 d.cooke@wowmail.com Posts: 6 | From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada | Registered: May 2004
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Sounds like a productive day Dylan...and the nice thing about dry apps, especially in cooler climates, is that it sticks like gangbusters almost from the get-go and you're off and running.
Sounds like you're doing just fine. Cheers.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Dylan way to go GLAD THAT IT WENT SMOOOOOTHLY....rapid tac makes wonderful quality products, but Roger....we don't need to use them for EVERY application
-------------------- Dan Streicher Slidell, LA Posts: 445 | From: Slidell, LA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Dylan..Glad the application went great for you! I'd like to hear a clearer explanation of the way you hinged and then pulled the backing paper behind the graphic. The way I am imagining it sounds like something I had never thought of before.
Doug...I have to agree with you that bottom hinging the second/top section is the best way to go. I guess I have been doing too many sailboats lately!!!! With them, the compound curves more or less dictate centre hinging everything and that's the way my mindset has been for the last couple of weeks.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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