Signs of the Times - February 2012 - (Page 18)

VINYL APPS By Steve Aust “I give users credit for pushing manufacturers to develop a broader repertoire of films and adhesives.” Tools and Tips Vinyl OEM reps discuss best practices. For this and next month’s Vinyl Apps columns, ST will address vinyinstallation basics. This month, we contacted various vinyl manufacturers for input on the best tools and methods for vinyl use. In the March issue, we’ll feature users’ tips for effective installation. 3M Marcio Oliveira, commercial graphics tech-service engineer What should you look for when buying a quality application tape? This first thing to consider is what’s going on top of the graphic – film, ink, a clearcoat or an overlaminate? If the premask’s only function is to add stiffness to the film to make handling easier, a premasking tape is used. If the need is to hold cut graphics to register them for placement and weed excess film, then a prespacing media is needed. Application tape must have less hold to the film than the film to the substrate. If the tape’s adhesive is more powerful, you risk lifting the graphics as you remove the tape. Do you prefer torches or heat guns when you have to warm the film? It depends on the situation. If you’re installing film on a textured wall, you have to use a high-temperature heat gun; a torch doesn’t provide the temperature control needed for a porous surface. When installing a vehicle wrap, either is sufficient for film removal. However, we don’t recommend torches for texturedwrap films. Excessive heat may alter their appearance, and heat guns provide better heat control. What have been some key tool improvements that have made the job easier? Vinyl-roller products, such as 3M’s V-CAT vehicle-channel and TSA textured-wall applicators, have been well received in the market. Vehiclechannel applicators are designed to effectively work heated vinyl into deep channels, and textured-wall rollers that include heat-resistant rollers are designed especially for conforming films to textured surfaces with heat pressure. Arlon Ritchie Daize, digital sales manager What film improvements make a vinyl-graphic fabricator’s job easier? There have been many improvements, but the greater impact for vinyl-film applications has been the development of air-egress technology. This advance has made bubble-free applications possible, even for novices. Most manufacturers have also engineered better adhesives that allow the film to be repositioned more easily. What tool improvements have made installation easier? One key addition to my toolbox has been a set of magnets. Few things are more frustrating than trying to tape a single-panel wrap over protruding door handles. Magnets solve this problem by holding the media. What’s the best way to clean the surface before vinyl application? It depends on the surface. For vehicles, use water and a mild detergent to clean off caked-on dirt and grime. Then, a final wipedown of 70% isopropyl alcohol. For window graphics, 91% isopropyl alcohol is the best solution. For wallcoverings on aggregate-wall surfaces, use a broom to lightly brush away loose particles. For very porous surfaces, like drywall, a sealant may be required. To remove residue from old vinyl installations, I recommend a tool called the Lil’ Gripper, a scraper with a durable, polycarbonate blade. Because the blades are Jason Yard, MACtac’s training specialist for its graphic and merchant products, lays out his array of tools for a successful vinyl installation. He said common mistakes he sees vinyl installers make are overstretching and underheating material. 18 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / FEBRUARY 2012 / www.signweb.com http://www.signweb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - February 2012

Signs of the Times - February 2012
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Software Update
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Technology Review
Sign Museum News
New Products
Palisades Center Mall’s Retrofit
Sign Structure Safety
Picture Them Rolling
Sign the Vote
Taxing Times
The Value of Signs
See Ya Real Soon!
Industry News
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking

Signs of the Times - February 2012