do i wait until application tape dries on glass etch?

[Shane Drew]

Owen, 1200mm wide is a big window and would be difficult to do dry if you are not well experienced with the size, so I’d do it with just a hint of soap in the water. Better still, you’d be better to use application fluid, and not soap, as it is designed to dry quicker.

I’d certainly use application tape on the cut one, but not required in the others.

Remember soap on glass is pretty much a sin, as it will take an age to dry, before you to take the paper off. Use a felt squeegee on the non application paper windows to prevents scratches, but a gold squeegee on the logo one, to remove as much of the water from under the paper as you can.

Hope that helps

[Cheryl Smith]

I did something like this yesterday. I find it depends on which etched vinyl you choose to use as to which way to fit it, but generally as a rule Yes application tape on the one with reverse weed- when you get to the job and unroll, resqueegie again to the application tape- it is a pain in the neck when you get halfway through removing vinyl to the backing paper to find bits not stuck to the application tape properly-(note as well that it is not cut too deep on the plotter, another nightmare if it tears off in strips while halfway fitting!) Clean window. If you are going to mark the window, do it slighly away from the actual measurement, you dont want to leave your nice mark under the etched vinyl by mistake, it will stick out like sore thumb and you will cuss. I would never advise on putting any soap in any water, water works just by itself and and discourages ‘instant stick’.Personally I dont use water at all when there is a logo-but ive been doing this for years- maybe in your case Id lightly blast the window , avoiding the area of logo- or at least only a very light spray there.
fit and squeegie from the centre out. Remove application tape; where it gets to the logo-go careful-this is where you find that if you use soap, it all slides about and if you pull the etched it marks and you cuss again. wetting the application tape helps it to destick off the vinyl-again it depends on how it is working with you should you need to leave it to dry- in this case fit the logo window first. It maybe advisable to take a spare one just in case, and you could use it elsewhere to practice if you dont use it this time. Good luck
(oh and DONT wear a fluffy jumper)
Cheryl

[Martyn Loach]

Is frosted vinyl the same as ordinary stuff?
Ive got a job to do where i need to cover a window panel 400mm x 2000mm do i use the same techniques?

[Russ]

Hi Owen,

I did my first large graphic in frosted just a couple of weeks before crimbo I applied dry and only because I have got use to applying vinyl before hand. If you can lay good areas of vinyl then have a go, if you have enough spare cut a second copy of the logo and give it a blast first, maybe use a window at your home or work place it always saves a red face. I will post the phoenix graphic, but it is not very clear in the photo.

Russ.

[Ian Johnston]

This is hard to explain but i will try

a useful thing we have learnt when applying wet etch on big panels is to not weed the logo or text if they are either very big or intricate.
the reason for this is you can flood the vinyl with application fluid , the fluid will not soak into the application tape causing it to wrinkle on you.
you all know what it is like when you have wet vinyl forming into a wrinkle.( a real b***H to get rid off)

give it a real good squeezing and remove the tape without the fear of small letter edges lifting ( the fluid seems to go past the cuts rather than through them leaving it a lot easier to remove application tape)
as it was wet applied the letters will weed very easily off the windowonce tape has been removed.
try it it works

Ian

[Cheryl Smith]

now THATS a good idea!

[Russ]

I agree first class

Russ

[Andrew Boyle]

only pre-mask the logo and leave the rest…….control the spray so there’s only a light spray at the logo 😀

[owenbooth]

Wow, all very good suggestions. I knew I joined this site for a reason. Milk the experience! I’ve had a couple of trial runs, one weeded, and other not. The one I weeded trapped the moisture under the app tape so never really adhered properly (I use mainly the clear, plastic app tape). The one I didn’t weed was much easier, and the results were a lot better. I just removed the app tape after a day or so, and weeded directly off of the window. I’m going in for the real deal this morning, albeit with a hangover, but I’ll let you know how I go. Cheers!

[Martin Cole]

quote Ian Johnston:

This is hard to explain but i will try

a useful thing we have learnt when applying wet etch on big panels is to not weed the logo or text if they are either very big or intricate.

This is how I always do it, I rarely weed frosted prior to application.
Sometimes I weed a letter or piece of the logo at either end, just to get my bearings when offering it up.
I only use a fine mist of clean water, this gives that bit of lea way and once squeegeed the application tape comes off straight away.

🙂

[Peter Mindham]

Yep, so far I have done a few windows. I ALWAYS leave the weeding until after the material is applied. It is much easier to weed.
Also, cleaning, I use Avery cleaner and use a sharp raser blade to clean the window. I usually use the blade at least twice to make sure all the grime, grease etc is off.
Clean windows and perfect preparation pay off every time.
Also, if I can, I will mark the window on the opposite side to where I am applying. That way, you can look through the glass for registration etc and then clean the other side of the glass after.

Good luck and post a piccie when its done!

peter

[owenbooth]

Well, other than completely cocking up the measurements (fortunately oversize, so I could cut them down) it all went up pretty easily. The logo cut-out job is drying out as we speak, I’ll be weeding it out in a few days and will be sure to post a pic!