posted
I have used rubbing alcohol to prep banners before. Works pretty good, too.
I use the Rapid Tac now. I just thought about the issues. A few quick sprays directly from the bottle and then the wipedown with a paper towel.
The other way, I have to stopper the bottle of alcohol with the same paper towel but more of them to get enough to soak into the towel without it coming apart, then wipe on the banner making sure, I cover all areas by seeing that it's wet while the alcohol is trying to evaporate as quick as I put it down. That means I have to work in smaller sections rather than a large area. On your 3 x 6 banner that means you might have to go over 6 or more sections with alcohol and use up a couple 4-6 paper towels. And the time!
I have to do a 3 x 6 myself soon. I ordered earlier this week and received it yesterday. I chose to use a poly banner due to the very temporary nature of the banner(1 day)and the profit margin of the project ($0 it's a donation). I also have no design requirements other than the wording. So I wanted an enamel receptive surface, that the Bandana Banners did not afford.
Cory, lots a people call me, they want to know why their vinyl "bubbled/came loose", the first question is always the same 1-What did you clean the substrate with??
2-Did you wipe with something OTHER then a "cheap grocery store" paper towell??
Poly migration is something that is real, you can cause this unfortunite situation by cleaning with the wrong type chemicals. The vinyl may look like its sticking, then later it may bubble or it may start releasing in places! Now, I hear a lot a folks say "I never had a problem with that" Well, the only way your gonna know(short of driving to ALL your customers locations every month) is if a customer complains, the big question here? how many will take the time to tell you vs. how many will just tell they're friends and assoc. what a bad sign job they got ???????????????? Far be it from me to tell you how to do buiss. !! He he he he he
Roger
-------------------- Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated 186 Combs Dr. Merlin Oregon 97532 Posts: 3020 | From: Merlin Oregon | Registered: Dec 1998
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Why would anyone on Earth "Prep" a banner? Just lay that Oracal & go----------pick-up the check--------long as you buy decent quality banner - no need to waste time with all that wiping down........
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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Kinda like brushin yer teeth Carl,you may not know you got bad breath, but someone else sure will. Like brushin, preping the banners just a real good way to avoid imbarasment !!
Roger
-------------------- Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated 186 Combs Dr. Merlin Oregon 97532 Posts: 3020 | From: Merlin Oregon | Registered: Dec 1998
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I consider any surface I am laying vinyl on contaminated. Before application of vinyl, I clean with Rapid-Tac by spraying and wiping dry or with alcohol by wetting with one towel then wiping with a separate dry one. After waiting a few minutes for anything remaining to dry, I use a tac rag to remove any lint or fibers from the towel. The "Ounce of protection" goes a long way!
-------------------- Dave Johnson Saltsburg, PA
724-459-7240 Posts: 228 | From: Saltsburg, PA | Registered: Dec 2001
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I don't know why folks in this industry use rubbing alchohol whenever the task calls for alchohol. If an alchohol based solvent is called for I always use denatured,as the rubbing alchohol contains quite abit of water.Although it is not always the answer often as not when alchohol is called for as a solvent it pertains to denatured alchohol, and denatured usually fills the bill alot better than rubbing alchohol.
Just my $0.02 worth,...
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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1-watch out with your "tack rags" be carefull not to smear the components of the tac rag onto the substrate(lightly stroke across) if you must.
2-Alcohol, like Timi says,"rubbing alcohol is intended for your aches and pains or cleaning bacteria" Denatured is much more of a solvent(minus the water thats in rubbing alcohol).
But, alcohol by itself does NOT clean oil or grease very well(like oil from your hands) Alcohol needs "help" to cut oil & grease" If you don't have all the knowledge, stick with a cleaner thats designed for the job, then you know you are doing that job the best way possible!!
There are hundreds of different formulas for Alcohol, just as there are thousands of different formulas for soap !! Now which one would you choose and why??
Do it the easy way, and don't take chances!1
Roger(just my $28.00 worth
-------------------- Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated 186 Combs Dr. Merlin Oregon 97532 Posts: 3020 | From: Merlin Oregon | Registered: Dec 1998
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I have to agree with you Roger denatured doesn't really take the poly that migrates to the top of vinyl banners off well. but my intent was to answer the original question,...
quote:Anyway, what's your take on the whole rubbing alcohol prep scene?
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Pretty much a waste of time, unless the alcohol has been fortefied with a surfactant of some kind(one that won't "stir up" the migration process any extra) otherwise you know what I recomend!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha haha
Serously though, the R.T. and R.T.II clean well enough for the banners, Rapid Prep should be used if there is concern of heavy contamination from say,silicone,heavy grease,heavy oil,etc.
After using the Prep, I like to go one time with Rapid Tac (it kinda "sets the stage" leaving only "compatible residues")
Roger
-------------------- Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated 186 Combs Dr. Merlin Oregon 97532 Posts: 3020 | From: Merlin Oregon | Registered: Dec 1998
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