posted
Every ad says 1 year ext. life but I'm seeing it on lots of trucks. I know I've put gold on a mdo temp. directional sign 6 years ago and the company left it outside all those years and the gold simply faded to chrome. I want to put this on black alumilite....and have it last. Any thoughts. Thanks,
[ September 19, 2001: Message edited by: Robin ]
-------------------- Robin McIlvaine RM Signs & Vehicle Graphics Punxsutawney, Pa Posts: 72 | From: Punxsutawney,Pa USA | Registered: Sep 2000
| IP: Logged |
Different companies produce chrome vinyl in various life spans. Get some color charts from the various manufacturers and read the technical info so you can learn straight from their written word.
I have had some serious set backs using chrome vinyl. I have mentioned on this BB about a construction company that insisted on lettering all their construction trucks with chrome vinyls against my concerns, then when it failed in two years, they decided I cheated them and went somewhere else to get their truck lettering. Now the other shop gets about 20 trucks per year doing them the way I recommended they be done in the first place.
I personally think chrome vinyl is ugly on a sign or a vehicle. I believe it had its place in the 1990's. I propose it is outdated for the digital look of the 2000's and even stated that in print in my article in Sign Business Illustrated September 2001 issue pages 114 through 119.
I won't use it again except for indoor displays along with other glitter and sparkles.
posted
I tell my customers if they want chrome, it's gonna last 6 months outside, at best... regardless which "manufacturer" it comes from.
FlexCon claims 2 years on theirs..
But regardless of it's exterior life, the film is going to get scratched up and marred, and generally just really ugly looking pretty quick.
If you use the chrome, I suggest you apply the chrome on top of a layer of regular vinyl so when it does fail or becomes ugly you can peel it from the alumalite cleanly and re-use the panel. Otherwise you'll have to scrape the chrome off with a razor, risking damaging the alumalite.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com
Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
This is an interesting post, I have often wondered about the life and quality, as well as ease of application.
In the latest SignCraft there is a picture of a semi with "chrome" striping on the trailer and tractor, as I got it lunchtime, i haven't read the article yet. (SignCraft looks very good this month!)
As for it being a thing of the 90's...Dave
I wont get to read your article in SignBuilder, we in Europe have to pay for it, unlike US shops, about $85-100...I tried it one year but it never used to arrive...I got very dissapointed and tired of contacting there editor to make that point. James Hyatt was the editor then (97)
posted
I've used Arlon gold foil on a job I did at least 8 yrs. ago. I actually recovered some very thick(10in.) metal letters. I then sprayed dupont express clear over them. They are as good today as the day I put them there. Neil
Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
This is actually for a graphic. It's a surveying sign and I want a 15" by 1" outline in chrome with black cross hairs and a silhouette of a transit reflecting back...the reflection chrome too. And DAH, I just looked up that article on the semi in Signcraft and emailed Kapco who sold the vinyl the same question. I wanted to finish the sign tonight with the vinyl I have from Phase II Graphics. They said to clear and seal the edges to be safe but it still may or may not last. I wasn't in the gambling mood today! I hoped to hop on here and hear...Yep the stuff does last. The responses swing both ways...whaaaa but thanks.
-------------------- Robin McIlvaine RM Signs & Vehicle Graphics Punxsutawney, Pa Posts: 72 | From: Punxsutawney,Pa USA | Registered: Sep 2000
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic