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I can’t fit wet!!
Sounds like a stupid topic.
What it is, I can fit vinyl fine dry. I’ve flood coated some decent size boards etc. But there are times when I feel fitting wet is a good option. I’m sure when I was first starting I could fit wet no problem, but now when I try, I seem to get lots of water stuck underneath and it’s impossible to remove and the whole thing looks a right mess.
I use Grafityps app fluid which seems to grab a bit quick, or
My own baby shampoo mix which is a bit soapier so is easier.Any tips? Could it be the spray bottle i’m using (old tesco’s anti-bac spray). Would one of those pump action sprayers be better, i.e finer mist.
😕 😕
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11 Replies
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Alistair ? why would you want to apply wet 🙄 if you’ve mastered the dry method stick with it dry is always better
Lynn
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I guess Lynn, it’s not really a case of I want to, because I do try and do everything dry if I can, but more of a case of wanting to be able to do both methods successfully, 🙂
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I can remember thinking No way can i fit dry ! however over time and experience I have never looked back, the point I would like to make is there will always be a time and place to fit WET !!
Glass etch in large 3 meter x 1230mm sections
Large printed images where you may need more than one attempt and fitting some multi colour logos where its not possible to use reg marks or it needs to be spot onI always use rapid tac one or two and i don’t work for them but have used it for ages and find the etch drys without problems and no adhesion problems with vinyls
rich -
totally agree with both of you some times wet is necessary but dry it always better, some times you try both ways and neither works I call this a bad day, next day all is fine both ways, sometimes it’s to do with the weather, hot, cold, humid … who knows the absolutes of fitting vinyl ??
Lynn
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Lynn I do think how long i used to spend fitting using the wet method I must have wasted so much time and we all know about fitting wet in the cold
yes as rob would say DRY DRY DRY and a little wetRich
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I agree, I fit nearly everything dry without problems, but there are times when I would like to fit wet, and when these arise I need to know I can do it well.
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after the vinyl is in position, that´s when all the help of applying wet stop! it is also where your troubles begin…. 😉
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I agree with everything said so far, and would rather fir dry, but has anyone got ant tips for wet app then please.
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I like fitting large sheets of vinyl wet as when Im working on my own it solves the problem of the vinyl sticking to itself. I use the wet method when fitting large vinyl sheets to windows, I wet the window surface with Rapidtac, then I wet the sticky side of the vinyl till everything is nice and wet then place the vinyl on the window and get it into position, then I use my trusty felt squeegee to start removing the liquid. I start from the middle outwards, not pressing too hard initially but firm enough to eliminate most of the liquid. Once Ive done this I go over it again pressing very firmly to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Ive never had any problems with bubbles or the vinyl lifting. Having said this I only do this sort of application under controlled conditions, i.e. inside or in outside in warm conditions. I also use this method when applying layered graphics, allowing time for the adhesive to grip before placing the next layer on ( done properly the adhesive will grip pretty well within a few minutes )
I also apply dry, just depends on the situation. -
If your coating a large area a roller is very handy, another thing is to go over everything with an even pressure. I wouldn’t panic about getting every last bit of water out, this just causes probs, a good even pressure over the whole surface and a check to make sure you have all the bubbles out should be fine.
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I found when I apply wet my strokes with the squeege have to overlap alot more and I have to go over the same vinyl area a few times to expel all the liquid and get it down. There is no point doing the whole sheet and going back over it where you might have pockets of water forming that you can’t get out. Overlap your strokes a lot more and use horizontal strokes from the middle outwards starting from the top of the sheet right down to the bottom.
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