Fixing acrylic letters directly on to sign trays

[Peter Dee]

Double sided tape or stand off mounts.

[Sam Armstrong]

Sorry all, added a posting thinking I was replying to this posting, had a week off and brain gone to mush I think!

I was advising to ensure you use the correct doubloe sided tape if going down this route and to make sure that both surfaces prepped before hand also.

[Adrian Hewson]

Standoffs or "Bigbond high grab" would never use double sided tape "lets be careful out there"

[Sam Armstrong]

speak to the experts – innova – 01282 867390 they will know what to use.

[Phill Fenton]

quote Adrian Hewson:

Standoffs or “Bigbond high grab” would never use double sided tape “lets be careful out there”

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using double sided tape. If it’s the right type and the surface is properly prepared then there shouldn’t be a problem. After all, Automotive manufacturers use these tapes to apply trim to car bodywork all the time.

[Robert Lambie]

quote Adam Hilson:

Hi all

What’s the best way of fixing acrylic letters directly on to dibond sign trays.

Thanks Adam

I can’t say I have ever flush mounted acrylic letters using an adhesive direct to composite.
Direct to acrylic then yes, and I use tensol.
Acrylic to dibond then probably a two part 3M adhesive, sorry I forget the code but can check.
The trouble with powerful adhesives like the 3M I mention above on composite is that it heats up allot while curing and can cause dimples/indentations on the composite that are really only noticeable when viewed in certain light and at an angle. Trouble is, when you do see it looks like hell! :lol1: that said, this is normally when locators are adhered to the rear of the letter, you see the dimple on the face.

There are lots of adhesives out there that are more than up to the job, but personally only use a few for our day to day work. So cant give much more advice, sorry.

Used the bighead type stuff in the past, but by the time I got round to using it some months down the line, the whole box had solidified in the tubes and didn’t get much sympathy when I called to ask about shelf life as I wouldn’t have bought 9-12 tubes of adhesive to keep on the shelf if I had.

Depending on size of the letters being used then I don’t see why a good VHB tape cant be used as long as you cross reference the two materials being used and use the correct VHB tape, score, prep etc by the book.

As suggested, maybe best calling the likes of innova or the like for advice on this.

[Adrian Hewson]

Just remember that different substrates expand and contract at different rates and to different degrees, in direct sunlight it is greatly exaggerated.

[Adam Hilson]

Morning all

Thanks for the replys

i have looked at the 3M VHB tapes ill make a call this morning.
Also when you say about prep how would you prep it any different.
E.G would you scothch bri or abrade any thing before you ue the VHB tape.

Cheers Adam

[Phill Fenton]

When using VHB tapes, both surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned using Isopropyl Alcohol

[Adam Hilson]

Cheers Phil

Been watching Your CNC Blog

Im going to have to give it ago