Advice needed Applying etch vinyl to windows?

[Pane Talev]

That will depend on the vinyl used. If is metascape – Dry.
I will do this particular installation with ordinary Cristal etch from Metamark – Wet.

[Chris Tennant]

I apply all frosting with water, and use paper release to stop it scratching.
Once ive pushed all the water out, i then wet the paper release, causing it to break up and make it easier to peel from the frosting.

[George Neagu]

I always do it wet.
I have done a 3.5x1m panel with cut out letters in the middle, same as yours, just bigger.

The way I have done was: (we were 2 people)
– I produces the frosting 100mm longer (3.6m).
– I used the extra 100mm to attach it dry to the frame of the window. This will secure the vinyl in place when you peel the release.
– I have applied application tape only over the area that has letters, not over the whole thing
– I started to peel off the release paper and spray the fluid all over up to the end of it (One man was unrolling and peeling the release, one was spraying and push the film against the glass).
– Now the frosting was all wet on the glass
– I sprayed it all again on top so the squeegee will slide on it and not scratch it.
– I got a rubber squeegee and started to rub it from the center towards the edges.
– The result was perfect
– Never run the squeegee dry on it, it will scratch it.
– Never use hard squeegee on it, it will scratch it. Use rubber one.

Makes sense?

[Robert Lambie]

It will come down to how experienced you are doing this type of installation.

Personally, regardless to the size of the panel / window i would do it DRY always. zero application fluid required regardless to the vinyl etch used. It is 10 times faster and less chance of fails from the media.

If you think bubbles etc might be an issue, then use and air release etch vinyl. you can source this from most leading vinyl suppliers.

The weather is cold, the glass even colder. there for you should not go the wet app route because the cold glass will automatically repel adhesion making the install far more forgiving than normal. However, it will also make the vinyl far more brittle, so be careful not to snap it.

Heating very cold glass is not advised as you can easily crack it in cold weather.

[Jonathan feeney]

Thanks for all you help guys ive got a couple of small windows to do tomorrow so will try both dry and wet and take it from there i should have mentioned before the etch im using is ritrama easy apply cheers

[George Neagu]

quote Robert Lambie:

It will come down to how experienced you are doing this type of installation.

Personally, regardless to the size of the panel / window i would do it DRY always. zero application fluid required regardless to the vinyl etch used. It is 10 times faster and less chance of fails from the media.

If you think bubbles etc might be an issue, then use and air release etch vinyl. you can source this from most leading vinyl suppliers.

The weather is cold, the glass even colder. there for you should not go the wet app route because the cold glass will automatically repel adhesion making the install far more forgiving than normal. However, it will also make the vinyl far more brittle, so be careful not to snap it.

Heating very cold glass is not advised as you can easily crack it in cold weather.

Hey Robert,
What’s your technique for doing dry etch and what vinyl do you use?

I can be at least 10 times slower on dry application and the results won’t be anything near wet application results.
I always used Metamark Silver Etch and I have done the job above in the middle of the winter, on a single glazed window, from the inside. The glass was very cold but I had no issues.
It is still there after 2 years, in mint condition, so no chance it will peel off because I’ve done it wet.
However I am not confident Ritrama works as well as Metamark.

Btw, Metamark has some instructions here too http://www.metamark.co.uk/pages_tec/sv_app_etch.htm

[Kevin Busby]

quote Jonathan feeney:

Thanks for all you help guys ive got a couple of small windows to do tomorrow so will try both dry and wet and take it from there i should have mentioned before the etch im using is ritrama easy apply cheers

I’ve never fitted Etch but just picking up on the Ritrama EASY APPLY comment I would assume that means its an air release and Im certain air release should always be done dry. Happy to be corrected though but this could be why you have the problem.

Kev

[Jon Marshall]

They always say fit air release dry but I have done it wet with no problems. Try a bit on a piece of glass and you’ll see it goes on fine.

[Billy Lit]

I always apply them with water. Takes a little longer while you’re waiting for it to dry. But decreases the margin for error massively

[Penny OGrady]

Air flow applied dry all day long;)