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I have a customer that wants us to put a 3' vinyl stripe down the side of an oil tank trailer, approximately 41 feet long. We have done things like this before not always happy with the results. I am wondering what kind of material people out there use for this when they have to do a job like this. The color has to be blue. Thanks in advance for your help.
JAKE
-------------------- Jake Lyman Lyman Signs 45 State Road Phillipston, MA 01331 Posts: 635 | From: Phillipston, MA | Registered: Sep 2002
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Hiya Jake, 2 options: 1 Paint the sucker - probably cheaper and easier. 2 Use vinyl that is premasked and a few inches larger than the stripe. Trim it to size after you apply it. If the client doesn't mind seams, apply it in several sections. I know that just handling a roll that size is a pain in the butt. I had an 18" reflective stripe to apply on a 53' trailer. The roll probably weighed about 30 lbs. I cut it in 4+' sections and applied 1 panel at a time.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3777 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Jake- If you are set up for paint, it's definitely an option, but even then I wonder if it could be cost effective when compared to vinyl.
I recently wrapped an aluminum gas pump island canopy- 48" x 500 ft, and weight definitely becomes an issue with large rolls. If you do it in sections with pre-masked vinyl, use Controltac Premium- it's repositionable and easy to work with. Anything else and you will probly be hatin life...
However, depending on your level of expertise, you might want to consider a wet app with no pre-mask. Here's how I would do it: Set up scaffolding or a platform to comfortable work height. Run 2" masking tape to mark the top edge and use as a butt stop for the stripe. Tack workpiece in position and bottom hinge w/2" masking tape- 4" sections 18" or so. Flop it, remove liner and flood w/soapy water (a little extra soap in the mix, please). Lift workpiece into position (you and 1 or 2 helpers for this length) and remove hinge tape. Working from center out with 8" teflon window tint squeegee, do your thing while keeping the workpiece pushed up against the stop strip. Have one person constantly spraying your work area and under the top edge during this process. I've done 3' x 30' runs (oracal 851) using this method with no helper, so I know it works. Pre-mask just gets in the way, adds weight, and can be a real pain to remove. Any small creases from the squeegee will disappear when the adhesive sets.
I would do this in a single piece because I can, but if your customer doesnt mind the seams, then piece it with lengths you feel comfortable using. This way it is no different than any other vehicle wrap.
Hope this helps. Drop me an e if you got questions!
[ May 26, 2004, 05:41 PM: Message edited by: Jay Nichols ]
-------------------- Jay Nichols ALPHABET SOUP
~the large print giveth and the small print taketh away~ Posts: 176 | From: SW Florida | Registered: Mar 2002
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I gotta agree. Jobs like this are what paint was made for.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I think it is going to be painted. This is our best customer that needs this done so whatever they decide to do I am going to do it. They are getting a price from a paint shop for the painting and comparing it to my price.
Thanks for the info. JAKE
-------------------- Jake Lyman Lyman Signs 45 State Road Phillipston, MA 01331 Posts: 635 | From: Phillipston, MA | Registered: Sep 2002
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I would vote for paint too since its aluminim. Lay it out and share the job with a body shop. If its a stainless steel tank...then I would only recommend 3M vinyl.They make a vinyl specifically for stainless steel.Reflective would be very striking and would be easier to apply because its stiffer.
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