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Etched glass vinyl advice needed please
Can anyone offer me some advice please?
I have been asked to do a shop window and the customer wants it done in etched glass vinyl.
I have never used this stuff before and need some advice,i am presuming its the same as any other vinyl except for the posts i have read about it being harder to apply.
Problem is she wants it on the inside of the window mirrored so it displays on the outside,like any other window normally but surely if i do it that way looking at it from outside will not have the etched glass look about it? i may be wrong as i have never even seen this vinyl yet but just looking for answers in advance.
thank you in advance 🙂
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6 Replies
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Widget, it is normal to apply the etch to the inside, the etch effect is still visible outside. Shop windows are normally single glazed, so its no problem.
If you are cutting a design in the etch and its your first attempt, I would go for a darker coloured etch, backed with paper. other wise its difficult to see the design when you apply. Etched vynil is not very forgiving if you apply it dry and get bubbles. trying to remove them can stretch the etch leaving ugly marks..If its a large area you are doing unless you are 100% confident do it wet, using the reccomended fluid by the manufacturer. Can take quite a while to dry though, before removing the app tape.
Have a practice on your bedroom window before attempting.
Hope this helps.
Peter -
thanks peter
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We have only ever applied it to the interior. You will still see the effect from outside fine. As Peter says its not very forgiving though but as with everything practice will help 😀
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quick reply mate…
apply on inside of windows.
applying on cold glass like all windows will be just now, makes etch brittle/crap to work with. the up-side is it helps prevent bubbles and doesnt stick as good. yes, it doesnt stick as good. so dry is far easier.
like has been said, if not confident wet is best approach, but ide steer clear of soapy water. call all print supplies and ask for a sample bottle of rapid-tac 2. its free and will easy be enough for a few windows.
the problem with wet app in cold weather is it just doesnt dry out for hours. especially on windows. couple that with this cold weather and you have a nightmnare task of trying to remove app-tape without pulling away the vinyl too…remember and clean the glass with a stanely blade window scraper first. then clean with meths. then clean all around the sills and surrounding area of the glass, then the window “again”. trust me… removing vinyl from carrying paper generates a charge that will lift dust from around 18 inches away. once the dust is on the rear of the etch, your beat!
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hiya widget, i have just done some window frosting on a local cafe/ deli.
as robert said not the easiest stuff to use, if you are putting it through a cutter to put some sort of design in it make sure that you get it with backing paper, we tried some with a thin plastic backing and the cutter hated it.
we applied it wet, allows you to move it and manipulate it, but it took best part of a week before we could take the app tape off
one of the main things to remember “preperation” cleanliness is absolutely imperative, the slightest bit of dirt or hair and the stuff won’t stick around it as well as it standing out like a sore thumb
regards
stephen -
Rob mentioned rapid tac 2, do you spray this onto preraired surface, apply vinyl and it gives you some leeway to position and then dries quicker than using water with soap ?
I have the same problem, in that I have to do some window graphics and was going to ask advice on best product, use oracal 551 for most things but read on Dewi’s post, Ave it Large, he uses 751, would it be advisable to use this for any particular reason ?
Jingle Bells
Bob 😮
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