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I'm sure some of you have already discovered this but out of necessity the other nite... I was 20 miles from the shop and needed some tranfer sheet to apply some lines(300') on a boat (normally I would just apply them off the backing sheet) but these were over 10 feet long and ranged from 1/4" to 5/8" in width and had to make some severe turns without stretching them (effectively narrowing the stripe)I had some "Fine Line" tape ( the green variety)in 1/4" 3/8" and 5/8" (coincidental) That I used for laying out the stripes (so I don't have to put down and take up the vinyl too many times). I tried using it as a tranfer tape and it was magnificent.
Since it is made to go around tight corners it lends itself to doing so with the vinyl attached and releases with absolutely no trouble what so ever.
I'll never use anything else on straight line vinyl applications again.
Thanks again to... "BLUNDER ENGINEERING"
------------------ Monte Jumper SIGNLanguage/Norman.Okla.
------------------ HotLines Joey Madden,45 years in the Classic Art of Pinstriping $42. a month electric bill here in Grants Pass, Oregon Big Sale deadline May 15th. http://members.tripod.com/Inflite
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Vic, FineLine is typically used for paint masking. At least that's what we call it up here. As far as I know, all vinyl striping tape comes with clear premask for tensil strength, so I'm not sure what you mean, Monte. All of my people can do the following with striping film. Bend a 5/16" double in the diameter of a dime. Bend 1/4" in the diameter of a nickle. Bend 1/2" in the diameter of a quarter. bend 1" in a 2" diameter. Bend 2" in a 7" diameter.
If you can't do this, you have a ways to go in automotive striping.
Monte, I don't understand what you mean. Explain, please.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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Vic, "fine line" tape is a green plastic tape made by 3M which is not very good to work with as it can stretch and lose its shape. Body shops find it usefull for marking out two-tone paint work cause it leaves not edge sort to speak. Besides it being over-priced at about 5 bucks a roll, it simply is outdated.
------------------ HotLines Joey Madden,45 years in the Classic Art of Pinstriping $42. a month electric bill here in Grants Pass, Oregon Big Sale deadline May 15th. http://members.tripod.com/Inflite
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Fine Line tape is also good for laying out gelcoat graphics in boat molds. Most other tapes can't withstand the polyester gelcoat.
For future reference, the Fine Line tape is a polyethylene tape which knowing that, you could search for a cheaper source than 3M.
I found a manufacturer that was kind enough to send me some samples of it on release liners for running through plotters. This stuff is IDENTICAL to 3M's fine line, except it was clear just because they hadn't pigmented the adhesive for the sample runs.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics Lake Havasu City, AZ http://www.stickerpimp.com
Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I use Fine Line tape for pinstriping... I use it as a finger guide for long straight lines on pickup beds that have no molding. I like it because it is smooth and doesn't seem to mess up fresh paint. I generally place it about 1/2 inch away from where I'm going to lay my line, then my little finger slides along the tape and I usually get a pretty decent line. I can also reuse it on the other side of the vehicle. I'm paying almost $7 per roll, so I have to be frugal... LE
------------------ LazyEdna in RL known as Sara Straw from southern Utah 5 National Parks within 3 hours drive Red Rock Heaven
Posts: 776 | From: Aurora, Utah, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Geeze...I thought I found the greatest thing since white bread...I'm dissapointed no one else does.The point being I was using HP vinyl with no liner (like striping tape)and was totally please with the fact that "fine Line" green tape (thats been around since forever, surprised no ones heard of it)turned out to be an excellent transfer tape.
Oh well... I was impressed sorry your not. I'll be using it again!
Oh and joey the boat was only 35 feet with several lines of vinyl...( each side )you do the math
------------------ Monte Jumper SIGNLanguage/Norman.Okla.
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Monte, are you saying you've never used automotive striping film with the clear transfer?
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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People are very fussy about their cars and their boats. There is no one in our operation who can do vinyl bends to the numbers in Pierre's post. So, we routinely turn down vehicle pinstriping on the basis if you can't do something right, either take the time to learn or else don't do it. In our case we have chosen the latter.
So the fine line and pinstriping info was very helpful for me.
Monte, there are quiet readers out there who got good information out of this post, they just aren't talking about it because it is embarrassing to admit skill level less than a pro. So, you done good, and thanks for the post. Vic G
------------------ Victor Georgiou AnchorBlanks.com Jack Wills Clipart CD's Designs Cut to Any Size Serving the Trade Only
Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Monte, forgive me. I simply don't understand what you did. Would you explain it again in different terms? Was this originally film with no transfer agent? Or did you add something over the top of the existing transfer?
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Kewl idea! I've laid vinyl stripes down, right off the roll...the customer had bought it but chickened out...hehehe. I'd never thought about using transfer tape for stripes before! I'm impressed too! Most of my favorite tools were built with sheer will and determination. I can appreciate your story and thank you for sharing it!
By the way, I am not a pro at striping anymore. I got so bored with it I parked my dagger after a straight run of it and haven't attempted it since. It's fun to watch Perky and the gang go crazy at the meets though!
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Monte, thanks for an excellent tip. I found a place to buy the stretchy clear transfer liner that most striping converters put on thin widths of striping vinyl. It was very expensive, way more than fineline tape. I will definatly use it as you did.
Pierre, many times I have a small amount of striping to do in a color that either doesn't come in precut striping, or would be a waste of money to buy a whole roll for the job at hand. What Monte is doing is using say 15" vinyl and cutting the striping himself. Standard paper transfer tape will not bend for circular work very well. What he's doing is using fineline tape as a premask, transfer tape, what ever you want to call it.
Thanks again for the tip Monte.
------------------ Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 ICQ: 21604027 sherwood@up.net
Posts: 5400 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
AHA! Now I understand, but why on earth wouldn't you just use clear premask? It bends extremely well with vinyl film. We've done this on odd colors for years. We used to stock the two main clears, SealAir and Borden. Now it's all R Tape. Anyway.........thanks for the explanation. All is now clear.................................................................................................................
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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very cool trick Monte! Finally something about that green stuff that works. We started using it years back as lettering tape when thay quit selling the #682 low tack tape. This green stuff is too thick and it always felt strange to have the brush hit it and feel like I drove into a bridge. I miss that stuff.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6725 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Pierre, here are some features I don't like about clear premask.
- when removed, it leaves a film on the vinyl that needs to be removed IF you need to layer another color on top.
- normally the clear has adhesive that is -too aggressive.
- some clears that have a texture leave the texture on the vinyl once removed.
- you can't rip it (when you want to)
- and last but not least, it actually stinks. (the smelly variety)
I do like it for some projects, such as for premasking vinyl stripes that I've made myself (because purchased stock wasn't viable for a certain job), however I am curious about the fine line variety, which I've never yet tried.
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Donna, SealAir and Borden are the two premasks made for and used by 3M, Arlon, Avery, White and a host of others. Neither of them do what you're describing as faults.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
sorry your not. 
I'll be using it again! 
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