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  • Material for a stencil for sandblasting

    Posted by Matthew Chittenden on 12 April 2011 at 10:51

    Hi All,

    I have a customer who is interested in creating a stencil to put onto glass, so he can sandblast the glass and create the frosting effect.` He doesnt want to use vinyl as he can sandblast himself. Does anybody know a suitable material that will withstand sand blasting. I did think of using ali and routing out bu then i have an issue with the middle of the letters in the design staying on the glass, and to be easily removable afterwards.

    Lorraine Clinch replied 13 years, 3 months ago 12 Members · 15 Replies
  • 15 Replies
  • Jill Marie Welsh

    Member
    12 April 2011 at 11:54

    Anchor brand stencil material is what I’ve used.
    http://www.intertapepolymer.com/Product … fault.aspx
    Not sure where you’d get it there tho.
    Love…..Jill

  • Chris Sharps

    Member
    12 April 2011 at 12:34

    Hi Matthew

    A guy local to me does a lot of work on glass and sandblasts
    it himself using cut vinyl masks.

    As he only has an old tiny cutter I have often cut larger patterns for him
    which he has stuck on and blasted.

    He always said any vinyl will do so I have used whatever was to hand.

    I suggest you do a test piece for your customer to try

    Hope that helps

    Chris

  • Chris Windebank

    Member
    12 April 2011 at 12:55

    try these
    http://dorotape.co.uk/khxc/gbu0-catshow … Films.html

  • Peter Normington

    Member
    12 April 2011 at 12:55

    Hexis do a sand blast material which is very tough
    I have had problems with "ordinary vinyl" and "paint mask"
    But it depends on the power of the sandblaster.

    Peter

  • Noel Kearney

    Member
    12 April 2011 at 13:11

    i use any vinyl to blast on glass, though it gets brittle after blasting and therefore comes off in small pieces, not a problem on mirrors as i blast from the back and leave mask on

  • Andrew Bennett

    Member
    12 April 2011 at 13:29

    I do sandblasting and use vinyl most of the time.
    It doesn’t get brittle when I use it. However it does depend on if you are frosting or carving the glass.
    I would love to use Avery 4mil paint mask but have not really looked for a supplier for it.

    I too leave the vinyl on the back of mirrors, taking it off is a pain.

    I have found though that for some unknown reason, silver and gold vinyl is a better resist. Maybe the glue is thicker or something.

    Good luck.

  • Fred McLean

    Member
    12 April 2011 at 14:02

    grafityp do a good thick blast material

  • Jason Middleton

    Member
    13 April 2011 at 13:47

    I recently bought some of the medium duty sandblasting vinyl off dorotape, It looks great stuff and cuts well but I haven’t been able to get it off the backing sheet in tact as its way more stickier than application paper, would love to hear other peoples experiences of using this, and any advice of how they have overcome this problem

  • Dermot Howard

    Member
    13 April 2011 at 16:05

    I’ve used regular vinyl and more recently used sign mask and they both work fine. just dont use a massive amount of pressure.

  • Martin Pearson

    Member
    13 April 2011 at 18:08

    If the guy is looking for a mask that he can use over and over again then the centres of letters are always going to cause a problem o matter what material you use. If he is using a small desktop box then the pressure in these is generally not to high on the gun so a normal vinyl should be OK as others have said.

    Jason what tac application tape are you using, might be worth trying to get a sample from one of the suppliers of a high tac tape and try that, or even ask Hexis what they recommend for the material you bought from them

  • dannygriffin

    Member
    3 August 2011 at 13:19

    yeah the backing can be a real nightmare to get off. But if it is that sticky, you know it will not lift while you sandblast it.

    If the tape has a chalky powder you must remove this with a tac cloth. we then use sellotape. yeah sellotape. you can still see the cut images and you get the hang of peeling. you must peel 180 degrees from the sticky side and stick down as you go. if some of the stencil starts to remain with the backer you work backwards and if you have to use your hands or a scalpul to get it off the backer.
    It can be a tricky job, tram line circles are the worst.

    there is no easy way, you just need to suss it out.

    having someone show you is the best bet.

    find a monomental mason who might show you them sticking down the inscription ( no an easy thin to get info out of a mason )

  • dannygriffin

    Member
    3 August 2011 at 13:23

    Yeah

    it depends on how deep you want to blast.

    I have a small hand held ‘frosting’ blast pot and regular vinyl is ok.
    But if you want to blast 5-mm + in granite you need anchor.

    very sticky and sellotape works as an application material.

  • Lorraine Clinch

    Member
    5 September 2012 at 17:35

    Just had a request for a big business next door who manufacture windows for boats, and are about to start doing their own sandblasting. The remit is for a suitable vinyl which doesn’t leave any residue behind when removed, and is suitable for use on reflective coated glass.

    I will phone Grafityp etc tomorrow, but wondered if there is anyone experienced with this type of request?

    Thanks
    Lorraine

  • Andrew Bennett

    Member
    5 September 2012 at 18:16

    Have a chat with my supplier Lorraine
    http://www.theblastshop.co.uk/

  • Lorraine Clinch

    Member
    5 September 2012 at 19:10

    Thanks Andrew, will do.

    Lorraine

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