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  • getting text straight on a vehicle. what method do you use?

    Posted by Deleted User on April 29, 2002 at 8:58 am

    ok. quick post here!

    what way or how do you get your text lined up on a vehicle.
    do you use marks, chalk line, masking tape etc

    any help or info would be great. i use a chalk line but its pretty hard when you fit alone. 🙄 🙄

    Joe McNamara replied 21 years, 10 months ago 6 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • Deleted User

    Deleted User
    April 29, 2002 at 10:24 am

    Harry, I tend to use offcuts from magnetic vinyl to hold the vinyl in place and lay up a whole van dry. I then tape it all in place and start to apply from the bottom up. I usually use a wet application with a hinge method, except where there are curves or panels to cross.

    If the text is very long or not too high I use masking tape targets to apply to. I have used a string line but not a chalk line as it can get under the adhesive and effect performance. I use a bit of masking tape and stretch the string(not Chalked) and line up the lettering from that?

    I normally apply the vinyl paralell to the vehicle swage lines or panels, there are some vans that I have found to be impossible this way and I use the eye. I once had a customer who kicked off about the signage being off the level on his van, he even brought a spirit level with him to show me. His big problem was that the ground was not level and so neither was the writing! I try to explain how I will apply the signs with the customer before doing any work. I explain about panels being at different levels and things before doing any application. This way they know what to expect and you dont have to go through it all again on the return of thier van.

  • Lorraine Buchan

    Member
    April 29, 2002 at 10:51 am

    ..

  • Martin Pearson

    Member
    April 29, 2002 at 1:26 pm

    Like Stuart we tend to lay most of the van up before application, we dont use odd bits of magnetic but I’m going to give this a try as it is probably easier than short pieces of tape.
    We use the vehicles natural lines, you have to otherwise although the graphics might be straight and level they will never look it to the naked eye. Once you have the graphics laid up step back and check by eye before you apply anything.
    There are a few silly vans like bellingos that however you put the graphics on something looks wrong. The best thing to do with these is to make sure the customer is aware before you start as Stuart says.

  • Paul Davenport

    Member
    April 29, 2002 at 4:05 pm

    Gray,

    er landrovers are made from aluminium ………….. 😮

    were all laffing at Gray

  • Paul Davenport

    Member
    April 29, 2002 at 4:07 pm

    Lorraine

    If you need another pair of hands to help you support your things, i would be more than willing to hold them for you….. 😆 😆

  • Brian Hays

    Member
    April 29, 2002 at 4:14 pm
    quote Paul Davenport:

    Gray,

    er landrovers are made from aluminium ………….. 😮

    were all laffing at Gray

    I rekon Gray knew that and woz takin da p!ss. Thus I rekon we should all be laffin at you matey! 😀

  • Joe McNamara

    Member
    April 29, 2002 at 8:53 pm

    seems to me you’re spot on there brian………. 🙂

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