Home Forums Sign Making Discussions Vinyl Help Needed! on Hi-vis Reflective Vinyl for vehicle rear.

  • Help Needed! on Hi-vis Reflective Vinyl for vehicle rear.

    Posted by Jason Adams on 27 October 2008 at 09:09

    Hi there,

    Although I have been signwriting for four years, I have never actually done chevrons on the rear of a vehicle before and I need desperate help on this one.

    It’s a local district council vehicle, brand new Ford Connect LWB High Roof which I don’t even have the outlines for and they want it done on wednesday?? The whole back….Help….

    Which Reflective vinyl should I use, where and how do I even start, dry or wet??

    Please someone help me on this one, any advice would be gratefully recieved 🙁

    Jay..the panicking Signmaker….

    Jason Adams replied 17 years ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • John Childs

    Member
    27 October 2008 at 09:39

    Jason,

    It’s obviously easier when you’ve done a few, but fairly straightforward.

    Unless there is a specific material spec, the way I would approach it is to flood the whole of the doors in a bright yellow vinyl, something like Avery 951 Primrose Yellow. Then I’d take some reflective red stripe, probably AllPrint Supplies 5R series because of it’s flexibility, about 150mm wide, and apply that on top of the yellow.

    Look at the job and think about it for a minute, and try to position the stripes where you are going to get least interference from door handles, lock, hinges etc. You probably won’t be able to avoid everything, but try to make it as easy for yourself as possible

    When you’ve put the first red stripe on don’t throw away the backing paper, rather keep it and use it for a spacer to get the second the right distance away. Much quicker and easier than measuring for every individual stripe.

    Do it dry, if you can.

    Why haven’t you got a Connect outline? They’re too useful not to have. Ring Brian immediately and buy them. 😀

  • Gareth.Lewis

    Member
    27 October 2008 at 09:45

    Jason,

    And to calm your nerves, try to imagine yourself waking up Thursday morning thinking of the wonderful job you did on Wednesday (using John’s spiffing method (which I am going to nick))…..

    Gareth

  • Jason Adams

    Member
    27 October 2008 at 09:55

    Thanks a ton guys, I actually spoke to William Smith after my initial panic, as they can apparently provide a kit as well as Bluelite Graphics and just now waiting on a price, the customer has since asked for a further van to now be done on thursday and a fleet of refuse removal lorries to be covered in a huge digital prints….I mean really, what do they think I am…a Signwriter?? 😉

    And here I was worrying about striping a 26ft boat tomorrow in 6 different colours…I mean this is ridiculous….. 🙂

    Thanks again for the info, I may actually take your advice on this one as I do prefer a challenge.

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