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What advise can you give me? I just installed an 11' wide 3' tall arrow on the side of a box truck with (sharp) rivets every 16". I ended up with more bubbles than I would have liked. Pretty much looked like a bad case of acne. However with our 100 degree days I am seeing alot of the bubble going away.
What could I have done better to have prevented some of them. Of course around each row of rivets I had large bubbles but I got them nice and smooth. It was the "big" are of vinyl that didn't go down well. I used the 3M 7725.
What are the tricks to large pieces of vinyl over rivets?
Thanks
-------------------- Ronda Neb Custom Imaging 912 Denver Ave. Fort Lupton, CO 80621 Posts: 20 | From: Fort Lupton, CO | Registered: Jan 2006
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Only thing I might add is the more ya do it the easier it gits - NOT !! I Hate rivets & charge extra for that surface - whutever vynul ya put on 'em they still suk - go 'round 'em with a hard squeegee or your fingernail - prick the bubble on the edge where it's "bursting" - your right 100 degree days git rid of them also. - - remember to charge EXTRA - or you could quote them an hourly install fee instead - - -
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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Brian has it right. Use "3M Controltac with Comply" and you'll never have a bubble problem again.
I have a fleet job that I use the 3M 180c vinyl for exclusively. It cut my installation time by almost two-thirds. While it is more expensive than other vinyls, the time saved more than makes up for it.
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A 3'x11' arrow is the most simple thing to layout with tape and paint with a roller. Almost 100% profit. You need to use a good squeege like the gold one from 3M. Just install as normal and press real hard and quick to go right over the rivets as if not even there. Then go back a pop the air bubbles and burnish with a rivet brush.
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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If you can get a hold of Rob Ivers video series on vinyl application, he shows a technique for going over rivets. I found it very helpful. However, I like John's suggestion for painting it.
That 3M 180c vinyl is amazing stuff. It's so good it's hard to make a mistake.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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I don't think I've ever seen "sharp" rivets. So I really don't know what to say there I think the tapes that Russ mentions are on sale at Gregory1.com for $50. As Brian & Glenn suggested, 3M controltac or similar is the right material for the job. It's a little more expensive but it makes life a lot easier on the installer. However, no material is meant to be installed in 100° weather. You'll either need to do the install indoors or at a time when the substrate is cool.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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A 9" grinder works great for those pesky rivets. Use the medium grit wheels, LOL.
The first think I thought about when I read this was Bob Parsons' cartoon showing the "solution" to hand lettering corrugated metal; that was a classic one.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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You say your problem isn't near the rivets. The panel is not supported in the back in the open areas, and you probably just need more pressure in those sections since it's giving in to your push against it.
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Did You Use any App. fluid? You could run the bubbles out with RT2. I've always used a stiff hog hair brush to push the vinyl around the rivits. They make a rivit brush somewhere out there, but I found a "boot brush" from Wallyworld for $3.50, It works great! And a little heat from heat gun doesn't hurt either. But, after saying all the above, I think I would have painted it as well
[ June 08, 2006, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: Lee McKee ]
-------------------- Lee McKee McKee Studios Birmingham, Al Planet Earth (sometimes) Posts: 277 | From: Birmingham, Al | Registered: Jan 2003
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