Etch vinyl – problems fitting?

[David Rogers]

Lots of suggestions here.

https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … highlight=

Dave

[Tony Stanwell]

Thx Dave for your prompt reply 😛 …however unclear whether to use application tape and whether to wet the panel and/or the window

Tony

[David White]

What i would do is not use app tape at all wet the window you intend to vinyl lay vinyl face down against wet window the water/fluid will hold vinyl flat whilst you remove the backing wet the adhesive side as you remove the backing then when backing completely off spin viny round adhesive side to window the squeegee out the fluid

[David Rogers]

For BIG flood coats I use this method.

NO application tape.
Window cleaners squegee
Soapy water.

Cut panel to size (2mm under size)
If possible use a spare window for this next bit:-
Spray (spare) window – ‘stick’ vinyl to panel & peel off liner.
Spray exposed sticky side of vinyl
Spray the window you are about to do
Transfer vinyl slide into position.
(it can be easier to handle if you ‘fold’ the vinyl like when wall papering if you’re feeling brave)
Squegee out from centre in long overlapping sweeps.
Job done.

Always easier with two people for the big stuff, but can be done on your own.

Alternative is dry – taped – two people.
Fix top edge & work down, keeping it under SLIGHT tension (stops it sticking). More risky, but ideal if there is a design or text cut into it as you won’t have to wait ages for the vinyl to adhere.

[Tony Stanwell]

Many thx to both Davids…will let you know how it goes and post photos…its a Portuguse restaurant yummy…!! :lol1:

Tony

[Erla K]

quote Tony Stanwell:

Hope you can help…tried to apply dry 2500 mm wide x 1300 mm high, single panel of etched vinyl to window on Friday 13th ! it didn’t work 😥

Will now try again this week…a few questions please before I try to apply it wet
1) Should I use transfer paper when applying it wet ?
2) Should I wet the panel, the glass or both ?
3) Should I use the hinge method and hinge the panel in the middle of the 2500 mm ?
4) Its going to be a devil anyway because its behind a low profile radiator (10cm high and 10cm between the radiator and the window)

Any pointers would be much appreciated 😛 – am using Hexis Suptac
Thx in anticipation
Tony

Sorry for this maybe stupid question but what is the "hinge method" ? 😳

Erla

[Nick Minall]

quote :

Sorry for this maybe stupid question but what is the “hinge method” ?

Hope this helps…

Use 2" masking tape to create a hinge with half the masking tape on top of the sign and the other half on the application surface. Squeegee the masking tape hinge firmly into position. To apply, lift the sign away from the surface and fold back on the hinge. Peel off about 6 "of the backing paper then lower the sign keeping the adhesive away from the application surface. Starting at the top center squeegee down and outwards towards each edge in turn. Remove another 6" of backing paper and keep repeating the process using overlapping strokes until the sign is completely applied adopted with the hinge on the edge of the sign instead of the top.

[Richard Urquhart]

fitted 40 meters 610 etch and 8 meters 1230 today all wet got through a fair amount of rapid tac but all on with out a problem

my way is as follows
take with you a clean piece of acrylic this can be used to hold the piece of etch your fitting

spray the acrylic with fluid hold the piece of etch face on to acrylic the fluid will keep the vinyl in place then slowly remove the backing just hold corner with your finger as you pull down

spray complete sticky side of vinyl and the window or door your going to fit to

pick up the vinyl and offer on to window slide around and then using a felt applicator push out the remaining fluid

trim around edges if ness job done
if the vinyl contains text same as above but before removing application paper do the next window then go back to the first and so on

i then spray application paper and remove

rich

[Glen Mathers]

A window that size i would definitely do a wet fit.
Make sure the window is as clean as you can get it, the art of a good fit is a clean window. Buy a window scraper (the one with a stanley blade) and scrap left to right and up an down to make sure you have removed every bit of dirt. Then use a good cleaning solution.
When the window is clean your ready to peel the backing off your etch, if 2 of you are fitting get your mate to get ready to hold 1 end with with very clean finger ends.
Lay the etch on a suitable surface and start at 1 corner, lifting and then give it a spray (i use a cheap window cleaning solution- supermarkets own brand, don’t use the thick windowlene) then get your mate to hold the corner. Pull the rest of the backing paper back along the same edge to reach the other corner, again keep spraying a Little fluid ( don’t get it too wet, just a fine mist will do).
Keep your mate holding along the edge, not too tight thou just enough force to hold the vinyl, then while your peeling the rest of the backing paper off just keep spraying a fine mist of fluid over the exposed area of etched vinyl. When getting near the end just be careful when removing the last bit, sometimes it will try and fold over on itself, just keep it wet with a fine mist over the surface and that will be fine.
When complete you grab (with clean finger ends) the end your mate has the other and transfer to the window carefully. With the fine mist of spray on the vinyl you’ll be able to move it around on the window to position correctly, when you get it where you want it use a felt squeegee to remove all the fluid from under the vinyl working from the middle outwards and upwards, then just trim down your sides with a good sharp knife.
Good Luck,
Hope this helps, I’m no good at explaining things but I’ve done my best
Just spray the vinyl, you don’t need to spray the window.