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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Applying Vinyl Graphics to Textured Wall Surfaces

The photograph above shows an installer using the TSA-1 to apply a cast vinyl film to a concrete block wall. Photo courtesy of 3M.
By Jim Hingst

Learn how to successfully apply vinyl graphics to textured wall surfaces in Jim Hingst’s article. Hingst describes the tools, materials and techniques needed for this challenging vinyl graphics application.


 With the right film, the right application tools and the right techniques, vinyl graphics can be applied to textured wall surfaces such brick and concrete block.    Many of old time decal applicators would heat a  cast vinyl with an industrial heat gun, and burnish  the hot, pliable film into the textured surface using a rivet brush for this job. Usually these applications were unsuccessful.  Although the installer may have heated  the film to the recommended temperature, by the time he  burnished the vinyl with the brush, the film was cool again and would stretch back to its original shape. New tools, however, have been developed to make these challenging applications faster,  easier and more secure.

The techniques for applying wall graphics films to a textured surface are significantly different than applications to smooth wall surfaces. To save yourself from a potentially expensive and embarrassing learning experiences, Tim Boxeth, Marketing Manager for 3M,  recommends that you get training rather than using your customer as your guinea pig.  “Working with an experienced and knowledgeable installer or watching an installation DVD,” says Boxeth, “will accelerate your learning curve. And it sure beats the trial and error approach.”

Applying the right amount of heat is also key to a successful application to a textured wall. “For anyone just getting started in vinyl applications, don’t even think about using a hair dryer,” says  Boxeth. “Applications to textured surfaces require heat. If you don’t heat a cast vinyl to the right temperature, you won’t break the memory of the film.” 

For applications to brick, stucco and tile, Boxeth recommends heating the film to between 1000°F and 1100°F (538º-594ºC). So how do you know if you’re applying sufficient heat? “With a Steinel heat gun you can just dial in the temperature that you need,” Boxeth says. He also recommends using an IR Temperature gun for measuring the substrate or the film temperature.

Steinel HG 2510 ESD Programmable IntelliTemp Heat Gun with a LDC Display 



● Temperature range: 120°F - 1200°F.
● LCD display enables temperature selection in 10°F increments
● Ideal for applications requiring precision control.




3M TSA-1 Foam Roller Applicator.


To properly apply the film you will need some type of foam roller. 3M has developed several different types of rollers,  which will allow an installer to quickly apply large areas of some cast vinyl graphics to textured surfaces. 

The 3M TSA-1 applicator is wide foam roller. The  foam material is  soft enough, so the tool can conform easily to rough textures.  “Keep your heat gun about an inch away from the film and just ahead of the roller,” says Boxeth. “You only need to heat the film for about a second. At 1000ºF, the temperature is hot enough to break the memory of the film.” Keep the roller moving at a rate of about two inches per second.





At these high temperatures don’t worry about burning the film.  The temperature of the vinyl only reaches 200 ºF to 250 ºF (94º-121ºC).  That’s not high enough to damage the film, but it is high enough to melt the vinyl. In a sense, you’re just thermoforming the film to the texture of the wall.  When working with a heat gun, you should worry about burning yourself.  To avoid any mishaps, especially for those of you who are accident prone, spare yourself any agony and wear heat resistant gloves.

 Also, be careful of the direction that you point the heat gun. It should be directed at the vinyl film and not at the roller. Excessive heat will destroy a very expensive tool. Boxeth also cautions that you take your time when applying film to textures.   If you are applying the graphics at a rate faster than 50 square feet an hour, you are working way too fast.

When installing a graphics panel to a textured surface, many professional installers will first apply  the graphic at the top and bottom edges. Next the side edges are tacked in place. Starting at the top the film is applied using the foam roller.  Always overlap your strokes in the application process. 


 3M TSA-2  Soft Foam Bevel-edged Roller Applicator.



If you are installing the graphics to  a brick or concrete block wall, you will then need to apply the film into the mortar joints.  For this application, 3M developed their TSA-2  soft foam bevel-edged roller applicator. The soft roller conforms better to mortar joints,  textured wall surfaces and withstands high application temperatures. Plan the sequence that you will use in applying the film to the joints, so you don’t trap air between the joints.  If you do, don’t worry. Just puncture any air bubbles with an air release tool and then apply the film into the recesses with the TSA-2.

Be aware that there are many different types of mortar joints.  Some are flush with the brick or block and are no problem.  Concave and v-shaped are also “doable” if they are not more than an 1/8” deep.  That’s what the TSA-2 is designed for. 

Many of the other types of mortar joints  can be problematic.  These include raked joints, those with an undercut profile and textured joints, in which the mortar has squeezed out between the bricks.  In the building business, we referred to this as “weeping mortar”.   That’s the polite terminology.  The slang that the masons use for this, however, is  “snot joint”.

For all of the problematic joints, you will need to cut the film at the joint with a sharp utility knife or Olfa knife and weed the film covering the joint.

3M TSA-3 Detail Roller.

After the application of the graphic to the joints, complete your application by using the TSA-3 Detail Roller to burnish the edges of the graphics, ensuring that the edges are tight.  The TSA-3 is a flat, narrow roller that will allow you to put good pressure on the cast vinyl film.

3M TSA-4 “Rock ‘N Roller”.

For higher speed wall applications, 3M  introduced the TSA-4.  Some affectionately refer to this device as the “Rock ‘N Roller”.  (I like that name. It has more sales appeal than TSA-4.)  This two-handled roller allows you to put maximum pressure on the graphic as you are applying the vinyl film. 


The 3M TSA-4 “Rock ‘N Roller” makes short of vinyl applications to brick walls. Photo courtesy of 3M.

Close up of the TSA-4. Photo courtesy of 3M.
So how do you hold the heat gun with two hands on the roller? It’s a trick question! You don’t need to.  The TSA-4 has a slot in which you clamp your heat gun.  Secured in place, the heat gun is always at the right distance from the surface of the graphic and from the roller.   This allows the installer to concentrate on the job at hand.
At an SGIA show in Las Vegas, one union rigger was trained to use the tool in fifteen minutes.  It only took the novice installer one day to install numerous murals on the block walls of the convention center. 

With the right materials, proper planning, training and an investment in the right tools, you can be rock’n and roll’n in the wall graphics market, too.

RECOMMENDED VINYL GRAPHICS APPLICATION TOOLS

3M Power Grip Rivet Brush Applicator RBA-3

● Thicker handle provides a more comfortable grip and put less stress on the tendons around your elbow. 
● Stiffer bristles provide the more burnishing pressure to better secure vinyl films to rivet heads.

● Minimizes strain on muscles, nerves and tendons that lead to repetitive motion injury.




Teflon Hard Squeegee 4in for Car Wraps

● The slick Teflon surface of the squeegee glides smoothly over vinyl films without scratching.

● Ideal for vehicle wrap applications for pushing out stubborn wrinkles as you work the film around compound curves.



3M Hand Applicator Squeegee PA1-G Gold

● Stiff nylon squeegees provide the right amount of pressure to force air from under vinyl films and aid the adhesive’s flow out. 
● Nylon squeegees can be sharpen over and over for longer life.

● Preferred by  most professional decal applicators.




3M Hand Applicator Squeegee PA1-B Blue

● Softer, plastic squeegee is more conformable, for better vinyl application to curves, corrugations and irregular surfaces.

● Flexible yet durable plastic.




3M Hand Applicator Squeegee PA1-B Tool-Kit w/ 3x Felt Tips & Lint Free Gloves


● 2 Wrapping Gloves.

● 1 Blue 3M medium-hard professional squeegee.

● 3  Self adhesive felt edges for squeegee.



SEALITPEN

 ● Felt tipped marker filled with acrylic clear coat. 
● Use the SEALITPEN to edge seal a vinyl graphic. 
● A clean way to apply edge sealer - no brush required. 



3M Brand 3950 Edge Sealer


● Seals exposed edges of vinyl graphics.

● Prevents pressure-sensitive vinyl films from lifting resulting from environmental exposure or cleaning.

● Easy to apply clear edge sealer with a small artist’s paint brush or sign maker’s quill.

● Essential sealer for any professional graphics installer.


● Suitable for graphics applications in temperatures from 50°F to 100°F.



3M Tape Primer 94 1/2 Pint 8oz For Vinyl

● Promotes adhesion of all brands of pressure sensitive vinyl films and 3M™ VHB™ Tape.
● Use when vinyl graphics will be stretched into concave areas.
● Use complex vehicle contours, such as bumpers.
● For use on difficult to stick to and low energy surfaces such polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, PET/PBT blends, concrete, wood, glass, metal and painted metal surfaces.
● Dries to a clear finish.
● Cleans up with isopropyl alcohol.




Steinel HG 2510 ESD Programmable IntelliTemp Heat Gun with a LDC Display 


● Temperature range: 120°F - 1200°F.
● LCD display enables temperature selection in 10°F increments
● Ideal for applications requiring precision control.





RollePro Vinyl Application Roller
● Using a RollePro eliminates the need to puncturing holes in vinyl films. No need to use a rivet brush. 

● Reduces the speed of applying vinyl graphics over rivets up to 50%. 

● Install vinyl graphics faster to make more money.




RollePro™ Textured Surface Kit

 The RollePro™ Textured Surface Kit includes a standard handle, an original wheel and a high temperature wheel. The high temperature wheel can be used on a variety of surfaces such as brick and concrete.

3M Air Release Tool
• Needle point punctures bubbles under vinyl graphics to remove entrapped air.          • Retractable point protects graphics installer from puncturing himself. 

 

Car Wrap Magnets
• Vinyl wrap magnets hold vinyl graphic in place for easier application.

• Replaces masking tape in positioning graphics.



Knifeless Finish Line Vinyl Wrap Cutting Tape 50 Meter Roll


● Knifeless tape cuts vinyl graphic film without using a knife.

● Extremely flexible. Applies smoothly around doors, windows and wheel wells.

● Creates perfectly smooth, straight lines. 



RAPID TAC Application fluid for Vinyl Wraps and Vinyl Graphics


● During hot weather applications RapidTac prevents preadhesion that results in damaged vinyl graphics.
● RapidTac allows you to reposition vinyl graphics without distortion, until you register it to the right location.

● Proven formulation.

RAPID TAC II Application fluid for Vinyl Wraps Decals

● Specially formulated for vehicle wraps.

● Allows application of vinyl graphics at lower application temperatures. 





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Vinyl Application Videos

Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link

Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link

Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link

Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films.  Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link

3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link


Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free.  Click to Link

Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link

Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link



About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2015 Jim Hingst


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4 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 2, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    Great Article. The 3M specialty tools are a must along with a professional heat gun like the Steinel heat gun. We trained at a 3M certified facility and our learning curve increased exponentially. As in any trade, practice make perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  2. jadeApril 9, 2015 at 2:32 PM

    New tools, however, have been developed to make these challenging applications faster, easier and more secure. vinyl window graphics

    ReplyDelete
  3. jadeJune 16, 2015 at 6:39 AM

    but it is high enough to melt the vinyl. In a sense, you’re just thermoforming the film to the texture of the wall. vinyl window graphics

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownSeptember 15, 2015 at 1:16 AM

    Pretty good post, the post is absolutely fantastic. With the right film, the right application tools and the right techniques, vinyl graphics can be applied to textured wall surfaces such brick and concrete block. Many of old time decal applicators would heat a cast vinyl with an industrial heat gun, and burnish the hot, pliable film into the textured surface using a rivet brush for this job. Usually these applications were unsuccessful.Standing Banner

    ReplyDelete