• General Sign Topics

  Beginner questions. Help appreciated.

  Posted by Steve Smith on 1 February 2004 at 12:20

  Without wishing to make myself appear a total idiot, can I ask a few questions? 😳

  Does cut vinyl have a “use by date” after application tape has been applied. Or is it best to leave it untaped until ready for fitting?
  By this I mean, does the app tape stick to the vinyl after while and make removal difficult.

  Can anybody explain the terms used for various types of vinyl?
  I keep seeing cast vinyl mentioned and have a vision of great big melting pots, loads of sparks and ingots involved. I suppose there a big difference between cast iron and cast vinyl.

  Steve Smith replied 21 years, 11 months ago 2 Members · 2 Replies
• 2 Replies

• 

  Nigel Fraser

  Member

  1 February 2004 at 18:13

  Dont worry about the simple questions Steve, we all had to find out somewhere !
  In answer to your questions –

  1) Yes, the app tape generally gets more sticky as it gets older and this is made much worse if it is exposed to sunlight. You can end up with a horid sticky mess if its too old. Some makes/types are better than others, but generally it is best to avoid producing graphics that are going to have to sit unused for long periods.

  2) The different types of vinyl is a more complicated question – Basically cast vinyl is more expensive, lasts longer (8-12yrs), does not shrink and can be conformed much easier. Calandered vinyl is available in various types but due to the way it is made (rolled out like dough through progressivly thinner rollers) it has a tendancy to want to return to its unrolled shape, and so it shrinks over time. Normal life spans of econ (2-3yr) and standard (5-7yr) are available. For more info you can read up here http://www.s-i-g-nweb.com/vinyl/cont/rightvinylb.htm (take out the dashes if using this link) or many other sites on the web if you keen 😉

  And yes there is certainly a bit of difference between cast metal and vinyl manufacturing !!

  Hope that helps you some,

  Nigel

• 

  Steve Smith

  Member

  2 February 2004 at 17:18

  Cheers Nigel, much appreciated.
  I think the normal 2-3 year stuff will do for use on my bike. I’ll be lucky if any stays on for 2-3 hours when the 100mph shale and mud hits it! But at least I can now have new graphics for each race meeting.

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