How to Use a Rivet Brush to Apply Vinyl Over Rivets

Learn how to use a rivet brush to burnish vinyl film around rivet heads.

By Jim Hingst

Rivet brushes have a variety of applications other than merely applying vinyl over rivets. It's also a handy tool for applying vinyl onto corrugations and textured surfaces, such as banners with a heavy scrim, concrete, stucco or cinderblock. Old  rivet brushes are great for scrubbing adhesive from rivet heads, while performing graphics removal work.

Application of vinyl graphics over rivets can be challenging.

In this RTape video, learn how to correctly use a rivet brush

when performing an application.

Link to Vinyl Application Videos

This stiff-bristled, nylon brush burnishes vinyl films onto the heads of truck rivets. The most common rivet brush has a 1-in.-diameter head, although 3-in. brushes are also available (great for banner work). One-in. rivet brushes cost about $6 each, while the 3-in. brushes, which have shorter, stiffer bristles, cost $15 to $20.

In applying graphics to banner material, after you remove the application tape from the vinyl graphics, and re-squeegee the entire graphic, finish the application by using a rivet brush and heat gun to burnish the vinyl into the banner's textured surface. The heat and brushing technique will aid the adhesive flow and result in improved, ultimate adhesion.

Repetitive motions used in burnishing vinyl with a rivet brush put unusual strain on muscles, nerves and tendons. This can lead to problems, such as tendonitis, which can be very painful and irritating. Rivet brushes with thicker handles are more comfortable to grip and put less stress on the tendons around your elbow.  I also like the thick-handled brush because its stiffer bristles provide the most pressure.  The one-inch rivet brushes with the larger handle only cost about a dollar more than a standard rivet brush.

I prefer working with a stiffer brush, because it requires less elbow grease in the burnishing process. To stiffen the bristles, I trim the bristles to a shorter length.  Some installers carry several rivet brushes with bristles of varying lengths. The shorter, harder-bristle brushes are used for warm-weather applications, when vinyl is softer, more pliable and less likely to crack under pressure. As temperatures become colder, vinyl becomes harder, more brittle and apt to shatter. Under these circumstances, brushes with longer bristles should be used.

A utility knife is one way to cut bristles to a desired length. Hold your knife steady against the bristles and rotate the brush with your other hand. When doing this, be sure to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying bristles.  

After cutting the bristles, they will have very sharp points, sharp enough to damage vinyl graphics. By quickly passing the flame of a propane torch over the tips of the brush, the heat will  melt  and the round the bristle’s sharp points.

Using a  Rivet Brush to Apply Vinyl Over Rivets. 

After squeegeeing vinyl to the substrate, puncture the vinyl around each rivet head using a pin or an air-release tool. Puncturing the vinyl allows air to escape while burnishing around the rivet head. Don’t use a knife, which creates slashes in the vinyl that eventually open up. A pinhole, on the other hand, self-seals.

 Holding the rivet brush in your fist, move the brush back and forth horizontally over the rivet head with short, choppy, firm strokes. These short strokes compress a larger bubble around the head to a much smaller bubble.

Heating vinyl with a heat gun or a propane torch breaks down the memory of the vinyl, so that it permanently conforms to the rivet. A hair dryer won’t generate enough heat. If you don’t sufficiently heat the film, it will eventually tent around the rivet head. The heating process only takes a couple of seconds. Keep the flame moving to avoid burning or melting the material.

After heating, burnish the vinyl to the rivet head using a circular motion with the rivet brush. This circular motion will spiral inward toward the rivet. Firm pressure with the rivet brush will ensure good adhesion. Rotate your wrist while burnishing, bringing the bristles in at a 45° angle to the edge of the rivet head. 

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. 

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. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2016 Jim Hingst