Applying vinyl in cold weather

[Hugh Potter]

short answer…. yes.

long answer…… definitely.

if it’s below 8°c i’ll always try and get some heat into the panel first. if it’s big and metal then you may as well pee into the wind but always warm the vinyl, give it a final squeegee with a soft squeegee and then heat again. beware of any bubbles, warming air expands quicker than the vinyl and will pop.

Hugh

[Dale Edwards]

Cheers Hugh, what type of heat gun do you use? I’m thinking it mite be better in the long run to take the sign down and apply the vinyl back in my shop.

Dale

[Hugh Potter]

if there’s enough money in it then i’d take it down.

I use a 1000w dewalt adjustable temp heat gun, i’ve not got the part No to hand at the mo, they’re about £30-50 depending where etc.

Hugh

[Martin Pearson]

How easy is it to take the sign down and put back up again and as Hugh has said would the money stretch to this.
It will be far easier and quicker to do the job with the sign in your workshop if you have to clean, strip old coatings and apply new plus you won’t have to worry about the weather while you are doing it.

Hugh, you sure it’s not a 2000w Dewalt heat gun?? I have a dewalt variable temperature gun that cost about the same money and it’s 2000w lol. Also have a black & decker one that is identical apart from the colour and the price :lol1:

[John Harding]

Nah – just fit it

Ive done loads of stuff in cold weather and no comebacks – ive done 60 vans in 2 weeks up north snow on he ground temp at best 1 or 2 degrees all fine – fitted dry though and use a good quality vinyl

John 😀

[Dale Edwards]

Don’t think it will be worth taking it down actually, boards are ready to go apart from a quick clean, and the jobs simple 1 colour vinyl, Using oracal 651 vinyl, which I think is pretty good isn’t it?

Dale

[Karl Williams]

quote Dale Edwards:

Don’t think it will be worth taking it down actually, boards are ready to go apart from a quick clean, and the jobs simple 1 colour vinyl, Using oracal 651 vinyl, which I think is pretty good isn’t it?

Dale

Not used this vinyl Dale. I’d say do it whilst the sign is up but be prepared to spend a bit more time on it. 😉

[Hugh Potter]

Martin, you’re probably right on the heat gun, i’ve not seen it in a while – not since i wrapped a wing a month ago – horrible job, but strangely satisfying!

Dale, 651 is fine on flat surfaces, pretty good heated in to shallow recesses etc too, tho don’t go too mad on that! I tend to use 551 in the main now, with a splattering of 751, 851 and even 951 in there.

as John said, you’ll possibly not need any heat but, if in any doubt or if any dampness around, its worth having the gun ready. it will warm the adhesive and give a better bite though, damp / cold is the bigger problem than just cold to be honest – vinyl doesn’t like sticking when very cold and damp, it also gets brittle, making repositioning near impossible!

just take your time, do it dry app and there shouldn’t be any problems.

[Dale Edwards]

Thanks for all the advice fellas, taking the heat gun, I’ve got it so make use of it, at the very least I’ll give the adhesive a bit of a warm

Cheers
Dale

[Dale Edwards]

Where do you get your oracal stuff from by the way Hugh? Place I’m using only stocks the 651, if I wanted to get better stuff or cast off them it would have to be aslan or kpmf

Dale

[Hugh Potter]

I mostly use Robert Horne, number is on the site somewhere. if you sign up and become a member on here (certain level req’d) then you’ll also get referable prices from them on lots of materials, the savings are easily worth the membership.

I think Vinyl corp also sell oracle still, not sure on their prices but when I used to deal with them it was by the roll only (4yrs or so ago).

Hugh