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I'm doing two doors with Etchmark vinyl ("glass etch look" vinyl). there are a lot of small details in the image of the woman on the top panel -- should i weed those before i apply the vinyl or after? somebody suggested that post-application weeding was sometimes better, but i'm not sure how it works or if i need to know anything else. (i'll be applying to the inside of the glass doors).
i created the layout and the image of the woman (the goddess Quan Yin -- buddhist goddess of healing and compassion).
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Scooter, Several years ago I did two windows at an oyster bar with etch vinyl. One window had a really detailed ship scene and the other had a lighthouse scene. I found it better to weed after applying the etch vinyl to the window because of all the detail. I cut away most of the excess vinyl around the edge of the graphics before applying. Good luck,Scooter! Nice design..your design doesn't look as detailed as the scenes I did so maybe you could weed everything except the oriental figures. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2623 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have done a lot of Etchmark on glass recently. Some of it very small stuff. Detailed crests about 4" high. We usually weed them in the shop before we go to the client site but it can be very finiky detail work. Even using the magnifying light it is easy to pull up the small pieces.
Give some thught to the installation environment. If you won't be constantly interrupted by people going through the door while you are weeding you will likely be better off weeding after the install. Just make sure you have good clean cuts or you will pull up more than you want to.
I would also consider laying this dry or with just a touch of Roger's Rose (Rapid Tac). Those little pieces of Etchmark like to slide around or lift off with the transfer tape when wet.
You might consider taking a magnifying glass with you to weed detailed areas onsite. One of those reading glasses that old farts use would help to see the cut lines.
By the way you can get a good dollar for etched glass work. The alternative....take the glass out and have it blasted....gets real expensive.
Let us know what you did and how it went.
-------------------- Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945 Posts: 633 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Do it dry Scooter! And as others have mentioned..weed as much as you can first..THEN weed the rest after installation.
By the way EXCELLENT layout!!!
[ July 02, 2002, 10:56 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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When ever possible do the weeding inshop. Better to be frustrated in the shop, then in front of a customer.
During weeding, if the small parts should lift. Don't worry. Take those pieces, and set them aside. Later, when the rest of the backing is exposed, you'll be able to see the "score" marks left by the cutter blade, then use your x-acto to replace the vinyl.
Light. The source should be at a 45 degree angle so you can see the cut lines well.
A print-out. This might help in deciding which vinyl you wish to weed. With so much detail it can be confusing.
Cut an extra copy of the fine detailed portion of the graphic. If you should happen to destroy a cirtain piece. Go to the extra copy, find the part you need, and replace the damaged area.
If you happen to take Richard Bustamante's Speed Weeding Course, you'll find out the quickest way to weed fine detail, is to grab one end, and with a single quick motion, rip the vinyl up.
"These techniques are done by experienced Professionals. Kids, Please don't try this at home."
-------------------- Richard Bustamante Signs in the Pines www.signsinthepines.com Posts: 781 | From: Nevada City, California | Registered: Nov 1998
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