Makes Vinyl Application over Rivets Fast & Easy
By Jim Hingst
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Dustin Owens, at a Wrap Quest event in Pompano
Beach, FL sponsored by the Professional Decal Applicators Association, (PDAA). Owens had invented the RollePro, a soft,
heat-resistant foam roller applicator. If you are looking for the next latest
and greatest vinyl application tool, look no further. The RollePro makes
application of vinyl graphics over rivets fast, easy and painless.
“In less than three minutes, I can apply vinyl to the bottom row of rivets on a
53-foot trailer,” claims Owens. Ever the skeptic, I asked Dustin to show me. With propane torch in
one hand and the RollePro in the other, Owens simultaneously heated the rivets and rolled over
them with his new tool. “You can lay down rivets just as fast as you can walk,” says Owens.
“Dustin
converted me the first time I tried a RollePro. Not only is it much faster, it
actually does a better job. No holes to poke, no scratch marks from the rivet
brush, the vinyl goes down "painted-on tight", and it stays tight.”
Rob Ivers of the PDAA.
You probably think that this sounds too easy. It’s actually easier than you
think. Here’s one reason. What’s missing in this application procedure is the puncturing of the vinyl.
That’s right. You don’t need to prick the vinyl. You also don’t need to use a rivet brush.
Other than buying a RollePro, the only other thing that you need to do is to
slightly change your application technique. Instead of squeegeeing over the rivets, Owens
instructs installers to squeegee just up to the rivet row. If you have a double row of rivets to do, squeegee the
film on either side of the two rows. Then, with your squeegee at an angle, apply the film between the
rows. After that, use the RollePro to lay down the film over the rivet rows.
“This
innovative tool will save you more time than you can imagine,” says veteran
vehicle graphics installer and professional vinyl applications trainer, Rob
Ivers. “If you have been doing rivets the "right way", with a torch
and rivet brush, it will literally save you hours on each trailer or box truck
you do. Not to mention saving lots of wear and tear on your body and soul. I
have done millions of rivets the conventional way during my thirty years of
installation, and I can do them very fast. But it's a lot of hard work.”
Rivets aren’t the only application for this new tool. “I’m always finding new
ways to use the RollePro,” Owens says. “It’s also great for applying film on
textured wall
surfaces, over diamond deck plates, louvered vents, side moldings and emblems on cars, and
over door handles.”
For
a demonstration of the RollePro, watch Rob Ivers’ YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z4YSMH06l4.
To
order the RollePro, visit the Rob Ivers e-store at http://www.robivers.com/robs_e-store.htm.
Installation Tip from Rob Ivers: The RollePro is for laminated, air-egress digital
prints, not conventional vinyl. Rob has developed a new application technique when using the RollePro. Rather than leaving
an open channel over the rivets by squeegeeing on both sides, Rob now squeegees up
to a row of rivets, leaving all of the vinyl on the other side of the row
un-squeegeed. He then rolls over the film with the RollePro. Repeating the procedure, he squeegees over to the next
row and then rolls over the film-covered rivets once again. This innovative technique provides much more room for the air to flow out and
prevents problems that can occur if the channel inadvertently touches the substrate and
blocks the air from escaping.
For more information on graphics application, I recommend reading The Graphic Installers Handbook. This comprehensive guide to vinyl graphics installation is a “must have” resource for the beginner or seasoned professional. Written by Rob Ivers, the certification director for the PDAA (Professional Decal Application Alliance), the handbook covers every aspect of vinyl graphics installation. Contact Rob at www.robivers.com for more information about his book. Rob also offers PDAA certification classes as well as private graphics training.
For more information on graphics application, I recommend reading The Graphic Installers Handbook. This comprehensive guide to vinyl graphics installation is a “must have” resource for the beginner or seasoned professional. Written by Rob Ivers, the certification director for the PDAA (Professional Decal Application Alliance), the handbook covers every aspect of vinyl graphics installation. Contact Rob at www.robivers.com for more information about his book. Rob also offers PDAA certification classes as well as private graphics training.
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.
© 2015 Jim Hingst
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteYou most likely believe that this particular seems as well simple. It is really simpler you believe. Here is one of the reasons for this. There is no benefits lacking within this software process may be the puncturing from the vinyl fabric. That is correct. A person do not have to puncture the actual vinyl fabric. Additionally you do not have to make use of a rivet clean.
Thanks,
raghu rathore