Can we apply crystal etch vinyl to vans?

[Jill Marie Welsh]

Hi Carrie.
I have used the etch effect stuff before & I really like it.
However, there actually is a kind of vynull that is called “true shadow”.
Avery makes it. It’s kind of a bluish-grey. Maybe ask for a sample from your supplier. I think that the “chalky” texture of the etched stuff might present a problem for the vehicle owner later on when it comes to washing/waxing. I am sure that it will stick OK tho. Just my opinion.
Good luck!
(I’m working today too, and it’s Memorial Day here)
Love…Jill 😉

[Dave Bruce]

Hi Carrie, interesting that you have posted this thread as I am working on a design for a fish supply company and was going to use etch vinyl for the same effect.

I haven’t used it like this before so I am unable to comment.

I think it was mentioned on here a while a go,have you searched?

Cheers

dave

[SqueakyWD40]

🙁

What’s a holiday?

[Carrie Brown]

Jill, Thanks for mentioning true shadow, we will have to have a look at it, although … the reason were going the crystal etch route is for the colouring… as it needs to be silverish/white … Im starting to sound like my customers now with my descriptions … 🙄 Anyway we have stuck some crystal etch onto blue vinyl which is the same colour shade as the van & it is spot on for a match for colour & look …… Only worry is will it stay on the van or possibly go brittle etc etc ……. dont want it looking cr*p a few months down the line. 😮

Dave, I did a search on here but nothing seemed to come up other than glass applications? Unless I have missed it somewhere? So your fish supply design is in the same boat as us then ……. 😆 fish … boat … 😮 sorry Im off again!!

Squeaky, I guess most of us are in the same boat when it comes to holidays, the longest we’ve had is two days at the odd weekend, but if you want to get somewhere in life you have to work for it! 😀

Thanks all for comments so far 😀

[Ian Higgins]

Hi to you both..
Have used etch on the side of vehicles before like a type of half tone.. We did one for a VW garage with a large etch VW in the background.. Now been on for over a year and no problems reported.. needs to be on a flat surface though, forget trying to get it over curves or ridges..

Cheers Ian

[Carrie Brown]

Thanks Ian, just what we wanted to hear … offers us a bit of re-assurance on the idea. 😀

[Robert Lambie]

hhmm stumped me here for a proper reply because i have never used it on a vehicle as such. so cannot give you my true opinions.
i have done lots of windows and what i would say is that the vinyl ‘can’ be pretty brittle at times. this may have been down to me applying to large cold glass, im not 100%
i would say, ‘like advised’ try and keep away from recesses. keep to flat areas. if you have to cross a recess i would cross it, the go back and slit it high up on sides of recess and lay it into the valley floor (recess) and forget patching it.. if you patch it it will just become darker were it overlaps because its translucent.
if you stretch etch vinyl it will whiten and wont go away. so avoid that if you can. same goes for bubbles/blisters. dont pin it then force the air out.
pin it in a couple of areas then gently press towards it. if you dont you will be left with a little thing white circle the size the bubble was.. this may go away, not sure..
frosted, if applied dry cant be ripped/snapped back when applying like all other vinyls. if you do you will leave staggering white lines across the vinyl, which again, may not go away.

hope this helps

[Phill Fenton]

Have you spoken to your suppliers about this. They should be able to offer advice on what can and can’t be done with their products. Europoint are very helpful in this way and I always ask for their advice on any aspects I am unsure of. They are like an extension to your business. 😀

[Carrie Brown]

Thanks Rob 😀 Comments much appreciated. We dont have problems when applying to glass but vehicle panels … this is a new thing to us aswell?? …….. Really hope the job goes ahead now … I want to see the end result 😀

Dont think our branch is open today to ask what they think but to be honest we would rather post here to see if anyone else has actually, physically applied it on vehicles ….. no offence to suppliers but unless they have actually applied it to a van I wouldnt be happy with …… “it should be ok”??? Plus to be honest we have asked suppliers for information before and usually get:

“I wil get someone to call you back as Im not 100% sure” …….
still waiting?
“Have you read the product specs, it should say in there” ……
wouldnt be asing if it stated what I want to know?
“Yeah should do mate” …… hmmmmm I dont him from Adam?

Thanks Carrie 😀