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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Optimal Application Temperature for Vinyl Graphics

By Jim Hingst

To avoid problems with vinyl or any other pressure-sensitive material, carefully read the vinyl manufacturer’s technical data sheet. Product bulletins will usually contain all of the information you need, including application temperature range. The application temperature range for most vinyl films is usually between 50⁰ and 90⁰F (10⁰ to 32⁰ C). For some films, the minimum application temperature range is higher.   


Time, temperature and pressure affect the wet-out properties of the adhesive on a pressure-sensitive film. As the adhesive continues to flow naturally into the microscopic pores, ultimate adhesion increases. Rising temperatures accelerate this process; predictably, colder temperatures retard the process. 

At room temperature, the adhesive of a pressure-sensitive material, such as RTape VinylEfx®, starts to wet out, after pressure is applied. (Remember: it is called pressure-sensitive for a reason. You typically need pressure for the graphic to stick to the substrate.) Room-temperature application serves as the ideal environment because the temperature in a sign shop is typically in the range of 65⁰ to 74⁰F (18⁰ to 23⁰C).  The temperature in a garage is a totally different story. And when you have to do an outdoor application, you are at the mercy of Mother Nature. 

Vehicle graphics applications in the dead of winter are challenging. Sometimes impossible! Tractors and trailers should be washed the day prior to installation. Ideally, the unit should be pulled indoors the night before to sufficiently heat it. This step is absolutely critical if you’re installing graphics on heavy construction equipment, when temperatures are sub-zero. It can take days for such equipment to reach an adequate installation temperature.

In the real world, however, fleets are often left outdoors until the time for graphics application. Snow and ice that have accumulated on the equipment should be removed before the units are pulled indoors. This prevents water dripping on you and your work as the vehicle defrosts. If water has accumulated on the trailer’s roof, lower the vehicle’s landing gear at the front of the trailer. This creates a slope on the roof, speeding water runoff.

Once indoors, open all the unit’s doors to release cold air. Directing portable heaters inside will speed the warming process. Portable heaters can make graphic applications possible, even when the installation facility is inadequately heated. Remember that the application temperature refers to the substrate’s temperature, not the ambient air temperature.

Some vinyl films, but not all, can be installed at temperatures as low as 40°F (4⁰C). By misting the adhesive with isopropyl alcohol, you may gain 10°F (6⁰C) of application temperature. At lower temperatures, the best advice is to go home, throw a log on the fire and wait for a warmer day.

Hot-weather installations can be much more difficult than cold conditions. As the temperature rises, the tack, or stickiness, of the adhesive increases. Sometimes, pressure-sensitive vinyl sticks without pressure, resulting in graphic deformation, when you attempt to reposition the graphic. When this happens, the term used (other than the litany of expletives that the frustrated and angry installer utters) is “pre-adhesion” or “pre-tack”.

We can’t change the weather, but we can improve installation conditions. Opening vehicle doors allows heat to escape. Scheduling an installation for an evening or an early morning — or simply waiting for the position of the sun to change — can help you beat the heat.

For hot weather applications on smooth surfaces, try misting the surface with a garden hose. This cooling effect can reduce the surface temperature and the adhesive tack to allow for repositioning. Application fluid is also an option. While both techniques work usually work well on smooth, flat surfaces, they’re not recommended for rivet applications and not recommended when applying metalized films, such as reflectives or VinylEfx®.


RECOMMENDED VINYL 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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1 comment:

  1. jadeApril 9, 2015 at 2:34 PM

    It also perpetuates the item among the clients. One of the items used for promotion is known as vinyl fabric decals. vinyl window graphics printing

    ReplyDelete