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Can anybody give me tips on laying vinyl outdoors in 20 degree weather before Monday??
-------------------- Terry Baird Baird Signs 3484 West Lake Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424 Posts: 790 | From: Canandaigua, New York | Registered: Dec 2002
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Hi Terry. I've only had the experience of doing what you describe a couple of times, but what I did worked for me. What I did was install the vinyl "dry" onto the substrate. While the premask was still on, I used a portable butane torch, with a flame spreader attached, and quickly went over the vinyl to heat up the adhesive. This was then squeejeed down hard, while the adhesive was still warm. I then moved along to do another section and repeated the process. Only after all the vinyl had been warmed and squeejeed down was the transmask removed.
I took special care to make sure that the edges in particular were firmly down. If these are gas stations you're working on, perhaps the open flame of a butane torch won't be such a great idea, but for sure you may need at the very least a heat gun. I don't know if this will be a solution to your problem, but I do wish you luck.
Hope this helps you out.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2690 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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Just another thought here Terry: What you might consider doing is to build a sheet metal platen, and insulating it with the blue styrofoam they use to frame houses. The platen would work like the type on wallpaper steamers and would heat up the area covered by the platen. You might be able to construct something that you could shoot the heat gun into, and concentrate the heat on a given area. Muffler/exhaust components might be useful in building something of this type.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2690 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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Instead of a torch, I use one of those "camping heater" attachments that go onto a small propane bottle. It throws a wider band of heat, and the bottle comes with its own "stand".
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Hiya Terry, Been there, done that too. Like Ken said,"do it dry". A heat gun will work also. I've also used the heat from my hands in a pinch. Another thing is to let the graphic sit a little while before removing the application tape. When I was doing fleet truck lettering, I would apply the vinyl to the drivers door, add heat, then move to the other door and repeat the process. When I was finished with the 2nd door, I'd go back to the drivers side & remove the tape with little effort or problems. Take your time & charge extra for the effort.
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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Terry being in Jackson we do alot of cold weather vinyl installs. Never a good idea to do but sometimes you have no choice. If it's a vehicle best find a heated garage. If it's not a vehicle then we use a heat gun. Heat the surface well. Depending on what the substrate is, if you get it real warm it will hold the heat for a bit. Then work fast as heck to get your vinyl on and then, like Ken said heat the transfer tape and vinyl. We always do ours dry. After I have removed the transfer tape I have even gently moved my heat gun over the vinyl to warm it up. It can be done but it's a bitch! Not to mention how cold your fingers and hands get. I have never been able to work like that with gloves on. As us old cowboys say, "the only thing I can do with my gloves on is p@#$ my pants".
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Thanks guy's, Between the e-mails, postings and a couple of calls, I think I've got a plan. I appreciate you responding so quick. T.
-------------------- Terry Baird Baird Signs 3484 West Lake Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424 Posts: 790 | From: Canandaigua, New York | Registered: Dec 2002
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