-
is it possible to cover wood with vinyl?
Hi all,
I could do with some help and advice on a customer’s request. He has a cocktail bar, the middle base section of which is made of wood.
I haven’t measured it yet, but I would guess at about 15m in length and around 1300mm high with rounded ends (kind of 50’s style).
He wants the whole thing covered in something black, seamless and shiny. After which he wants graphics applied to certain areas.
The bar is about two years old and has a kind of wooden laminate over the front and sides. This has joins about every 1200mm or so.
Should I be thinking vinyl or is there another product perhaps thicker that will cover it without joins? Obviously, I’m initially concerned that 1) the existing wooden joins will show through thin vinyl and create visible ridges and 2) adhesion issues to wood/wooden laminate.
It does not attract customers standing at the bar and is purely a place they pour drinks from then take them to the tables. Not much touching going on so human traffic will be minimum.
I hope that made sense! Any help most appreciated. Thank you all.
-
27 Replies
-
I can’t think of any material that would cover a 15m length seamlessly without showing the existing joins
The only thing I can think of would be to clad the bar in flood coated 2mm acrylic (3m lengths) or black dibond and butt join them…..reducing the amount of joins to 5 rather than 12
-
Thanks Glenn. I agree with that. Do you think vinyl may work (maybe even laminated to add extra thickness)?
-
daral is there know way thiscould be painted ?
-
Hi Brian. Yeah I suppose it can be painted, but as I don’t do painting, I probably wouldn’t get the job! Although I may well have to resign myself to admitting it can’t be done.
I’m going to see him again on Monday and take some small samples of vinyl with me (some laminated too) and see how it lays over the existing joins.
It’s a tricky one!
-
to get it seamless would be a hard call darel you might get away with using dibond its such a large area
-
on a smooth laminate the vinyl will stick.
however, even deep scratches or chips in the wood will be "enhanced" under the vinyl. joins i would expect more so. take in a cutting of black and run it down the join and you will see exactly how it would look if you did the whole thing.
even if there was no joins or scratches. i don’t think vinyl is the answer. trays and glasses being constantly slid across the vinyl will mark it to the point you cannot remove the marks. the vinyl is soft so gouges in the vinyl will happen.
i recon the same will happen if the bar top was painted. at the end of the day, this is why things like heavy wood laminates and the like were introduced. -
Thanks for that Rob. I’m sorry, but I should have made it clear that it is not the top of the bar that needs the work. That’s made of solid marble.
It’s the flat front facing area of the bar. For example, if you stood at the bar, it’s the area in front of you between your chest and your ankles.
-
ahh, i see… well in that case ide imagine it will cover it daral. but like any surface, even if it were to be painted. if there are scratches or imperfections on the face. it will show through the vinyl/paint etc. to be honest. ide take a cutting of vinyl with me and put it on and crossing the join. stand back and ask him what he thinks? no point covering in vinyl or even painting it it is still going to need prepped.
-
aaaahh darel ive got the wrong end of the stick for some reason i thought it was the front of the bar not the top sorry 😳
-
Thanks Rob. Yes, I’ll do exactly that on Monday. I guess the thicker the vinyl the better? Any suggestions on make/manufacturer? I have accounts with Hexis, Grafityp, Spandex, DoroTape and Metamark.
-
You are right Brian, it is in fact the front of the bar. I think your reply and Rob’s reply clashed! Thanks.
-
i guess the cheaper vinyl is thicker. whether that will cover enough sins i dont know. personaly i think just use what you have. 4-7 or 5-7 year calander vinyl should be fine.
-
Okey dokey Thanks Rob.
-
What about black matte vinyl?
It would not show the seams underneath as much due to its not being shiny.
I was thinking of thin black PVC as well.
Not sure on mm or anything like that so I have no idea what size the bar front really is.
You could also do a quick faux finish on it using paint and sponges for a marbled effect. It’s very easy.
Love….Jill -
Thanks for that Jillbeans. Great tips. The customer wants seamless gloss and is quite emphatic about that. Once I’ve worked out how/what to do with the bar, he wants graphics applied on top.
It’s an oriental restaurant and once we have the finish right and the graphics right the theme will progress throughout both floors and both bars. It’s a good job for me if I can get it!
It’s giving me some problems, but I’m enjoying the challenge (and of course the help I’m getting on UKSignboards).
-
Hi mate,
I’d go with Gloss Black Dibond myself. You can get that on 4m x 1.5 sheets I think. It will not be seemless over that length, but its a pretty tall ask to expect it, from your clients perspective.
The only other choice would be black banner material and sail track, but it would not look near as good or glossy as the dibond.
-
Thanks for the advice Shane. That’s interesting. I’ll look into it and see if will work for my client. I appreciate that.
-
3M make a product called DI-NOC which is specifically designed for refurbishing interiors which might do the job for you. It is a spin off of the original 3M film that was used in the US for covering vehicle sides with wood effect in the 50’s and 60’s
It is self adhesive, very thick and would cover most slight surface imperfections – It is made in Japan so you have to buy full rolls (50m) but it does come in various patterns inc a range of solid colours.
I don`t want to break board rules (apologies in advance if I have done so) so would suggest you google "3M Di-Noc" to see if you think it may work for you.
-
Hi Stuart,
Thanks very much for the reply. That’s brilliant info and sounds just the job. I’ll research it right now!
-
quote Stuart Taylor:3M make a product called DI-NOC which is specifically designed for refurbishing interiors which might do the job for you. It is a spin off of the original 3M film that was used in the US for covering vehicle sides with wood effect in the 50’s and 60’s
It is self adhesive, very thick and would cover most slight surface imperfections – It is made in Japan so you have to buy full rolls (50m) but it does come in various patterns inc a range of solid colours.
I don`t want to break board rules (apologies in advance if I have done so) so would suggest you google “3M Di-Noc” to see if you think it may work for you.
Thats good advice Stuart.
Its relatively new here to the sign industry, although decorators have had access to it for a while. I’ve not seen it yet, but it was on display at 3M when I was over there the other day, and I forgot to stop and have a look 😳
-
Just a quick update on the 3M Di-Noc product here in the UK.
I’ve spoken with both 3M and William Smith this morning.
3M inform me this product in the high gloss black is not available in the UK and that if William Smith want to order some, it’s a matter for them because of the large amount they would have to order from 3M.William Smith said they are looking into ‘getting some in’ and are going to let me know if they can. If they do get some in, 3M advise lead times of around three weeks though. Unfortunately, that’s too late for me for this particular job. But it’s on my list of products to try ASAP.
It must be said that William Smith do have other colours and finishes available in stock.
I’ll keep you posted! Thanks.
-
try MBA in Cambridge,, 01354650294 they do a similar product, in primary or RAL colours, i have applied it for a few shopfitters before and it works quite well
ian
-
Thanks for that Ian. I’ll call them right now!
-
Might be a bit late for you now Daral, but we use a 440 micron PVC that come on a 50m roll at 1300 wide. It’s matt white, but could be flood coated in gloss black. Or it may be available in other colours – not sure. Came from Amari I think
-
Thanks for that Mike. Yeah, it was a little late but it’s all part of my learning curve. I appreciate the advice.
-
You could use polycarb and flood coat the back with black vinyl and VHB it to the front. You can get poly carb in 6m lengths so you would only have one join.
-
Thanks Ian. More great advice. Much appreciated.
Log in to reply.