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Full colour print 13 mtr long Trailor application help?
Well it’s happening next week, l like a challenge and l feel that this is going to be one.
If anyone has any advice for me then please don’t be afraid to give it.
The trailor is rigid aluminium panels, it’s 13 metres x 2430mm, it’s my first attempt and my staff are inexperienced. Do l need to start praying? -
10 Replies
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how are you planning to do it mate?
i can then maybe advise on that. rather than giving something to you completely new.. if thats possible 😆
is the vinyl in tiles/multiple peices or two strips horizontal.
are you applying wet or dry?
many men on the job?
what type of vinyl are you using etc?
what type of applicator do you use, felt, nylon, rubber roller etc -
when you say its your first attempt and the staff are inexperienced, you mean inexperienced at doing trailers or inexperienced vinyl applicators ?
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Hey billy, hope you got yourself a nice warm large workshop to do that job in – forcast aint too warm 🙁
As Rob said, a bit more info would help to make more relevant advice for you 😉
Nigel
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Hi all, I don’t know if my tuppenny’worth is relevant but as i am an HGV driver (weekender) i come into contact with wrapped & liveried trailers regularly. A few of the problems i have seen is the print wearing off around the area where the stand legs are. Where the winding handle is on the nearside. Probably due to mucky gloves which were used to diesel up 5 mins earlier and now supporting the drivers weight whilst he struggles to wind the legs up or down, also vinyl covering door seals is a no-no, especially on fridges, which i mainly pull. There is -25c air coming out of the gaps and most times the vinyl is under ice at these points. The main problem i see when applying vinyl to a used trailer is the fact that the top 1/4 of the trailer is never washed properly if done by hand as the short-~~~~ driver can’t reach so there is a lot of grime to move before application! Another prob i see regularly and this is from the “big” players is alignment. 200 yards away is fine but when you get close up there is a half inch difference where the sheets meet!. Not saying anyone here would do such a thing, perish the thought! but it is just my obbos during my driving years and laughing at the £2k plus per trailer vinyl app! 🙄 🙄 🙄 🙄 Cheers and happy sticking. Gaz. g’night all ( you can probably tell im just home from t’ pub) (drink1) *drink* (sleep) (sleep) (sleep)
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Don’t forget to take some piccys for yourself and some to show us
John 😀
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The prints are from my newly aquired Versacamm Sp300…..yes l can hear you say that its only 736mm wide and prints only 9m2 an hour. Going to take ages. I know. We all have to start somewhere though!!
Going to stripe it with about 20 vertical prints, all laminated. Start from the middle and work out.Is it best to go wet or dry?
Four men on the job, two inexperienced with vinyl application and two that are.
Using Multifix. Can’t remember the product no. but hexis have recommended it and l am very happy with the prints from the versacamm using this product
Going to use felt applicators and rollers.
It’s all happening in a rather large shed with a couple of big space heaters on the go, l still think that it will be a bit nippy in there though.
Any advice is appreciated. -
Wet or dry?
With something this size, its probably best you do it the way you feel comfortable with mate. But in my own opinion, dry is better all round if you can. “Especially in cold weather”Vertical is safest/easiest. It also prevents water being held on seems/joins.
Laminating is the way to go for vehicles.. Regardless of the printer.
Felt & rollers?
Both are good for this type of thing. If using a felt one. Try get one a little stiffer than the norm or use new ones. Best have about 3 for each side. I say this because the amount of swipes of the squeegee you will use on this truck will be the equivalent to about 2 weeks sign work. This will make the “felt” soft and bendy giving lack of pressure & can cause bubbles or floating of the vinyl.
A roller is good but sometimes can be awkward when doing so many tiles like this.
It’s hard for me to explain using just text.. Try it anyway, you can always change to a felt squeegee if its causing problems.Vinyl?
If your happy with multifix then use it mate.. Its all flat panels and its laminated so its really only the adhesion that is an issue and i’m sure it that will be spot on.When applying are you going to give it much overlap on joins?
I think about .5 inch is minimum for this size of job but its up to you.. The larger overlap the more play you have to get it straight if anything starts to run off.
I would advise you after every 4 panels to stand back and look. Make sure its running as planned. With prints it’s easy to rattle on and then after ten notice it’s running off. Its better to just keep checking. It takes a little more time but better 30 mins more that having start again.
If you have guy that knows what hes doing at top and the other at bottom lining it up you should be fine. If you know the overlap is .5 inch then it’s handy to mark in .5 every panel so you have a guide to go with lining it.
All this said. I think you will manage fine.. Just make sure you get the first one straight and keep the rest following suit. -
Thanks for the advice.
Going to go with a 15 – 20mm overlap. Got some nice thick felt applicators for the job. Will try applying dry and see how it goes.
Thanks for the help. -
Just another point but when your tiling make sure you work from the back to front of the trailer.
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I was going to work from the middle and work out as this is where quite a lot of horizontal text appears on the graphic. I figured this would be the way forward for this job.
Am l wrong?
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