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Monday, June 25, 2012

Learn How Alan Johnson Paints Flames on Hot Rods

Photo courtesy of Alan Johnson.


Learn how to paint flames in a  step-by-step instruction featuring artist and pinstriper Alan Johnson...


By Jim Hingst 
@hingst_jim

Protecting and transferring vinyl graphics aren’t the only uses for application tape.  Here are some other uses for paper application tapes.

1.      High tack application tapes, such as RTape 4075, are also used by painters and artists as a paint mask for custom painting of motor cycles, cars and trucks.  Here’s how.  The painter often will lay out his design with 3M #471 blue striping tape or #218 fine line tape.  Or he will draw his design and  pounce the pattern directly onto the application tape. See the photos of artist Alan Johnson below. Alan is known worldwide for his work in decorating classic cars.

Photo courtesy of Alan Johnson.

After the fine line tape is applied, application tape is squeegeed over the top of the design. Using a #11 blade and a sharp Xacto® knife, the painter cuts through the paper tape directly over the blue tape.  The blue tape prevents accidental cutting into the customer paint job.  Experience painters, such as Alan Johnson, (shown in the photos) have developed the skill to just cut through the paper and do not need fine line tape. In addition to their skill, a sharp blade is critical.


Photo courtesy of Alan Johnson.


The area that will be painted is then weeded and then either sprayed or airbrushed.  

 Photo courtesy of Alan Johnson
Immediately after painting, the paper application tape is removed and the flames are pinstriped.


2.     Low tack paper application tape is also is used as a surface protection masking for acrylic and polycarbonate sheet.  An advantage of using paper masking versus a film is that the plastics fabricator can draw the layout on the paper.  

3.      In the metal polishing industry, low tack paper application tapes are used as a surface protection masking for steel and aluminum.  Following application to the polished metal, the sheets can then be laser cut.  The paper masking will adhere securely to the metal sheet during the cutting operation.






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.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 



© 2016 Jim Hingst

2 comments:

  1. Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share. business intelligence

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  2. My question is....how long should I wait till I pull up fine line tape so I dont pull up my art work. Here is what I am doing... I have a 2012 big blue pearl harley roadglide custom. It has factory pin stripes that are buried in clear. What I want to do is tape off the stripes and add black then real fire graphics on the black. I need to know how long I need to wait till I can pull off the fine line and masking so I dont pull off any of the graphics. This is going to be added to factory. So I plan on stuffing the paint down with gray or red scotch brite pads.thank you for your in put

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