Help Please, Flood coating a window.

[Andy Gorman]

Obviously fitting to the outside leaves the vinyl open to damage and vandalism but if you have no choice then so be it. I would fit dry, but if it is a flood coat there is no problem fitting wet. Just beware that you need to be careful removing the tape from a subsequent logo laid on top, as the flood coat will not be very well bonded until it has had a couple of days to dry out. Removing the tape may pull the flood away from the glass slightly.

[Peter Shaw]

Wet! Wet! Wet! Although some people will advise otherwise.

You are obviously nervous of this job so if you apply the vinyl wet, you’ll have the opportunity to make corrections in positioning and not have to worry about bubbles.

Have patience before removing the application tape en mass and if you can, look at the vinyl from inside the window to check for problems.

Use some baby shampoo in water for application fluid – it’s cheap and good. Don’t make it too slippery though.

Don’t be tempted to use heat on the window to dry it – I once cracked one!!!

Finally with some advice and some common sense, you’ll do OK. We all started sometime and I bet most of us would agree on: a) the sense of achievement and b) increased confirdence after tackling a job like this first time.

Go for it.

Peter

[Alistair Richards]

Hi guys thanks loads for the replies.

If doing wet, would you need app paper if just fload coating one colour, also would I cut to length the vinyl first, or apply it oversize and trim to window frame afterwards. If doing wet would I just peel off the whole of the backing paper, and then apply whole piece at once (get girlfriend to help holding). And, how much overlap on tiles would suffice, about 5mm i’m thinking, starting bottom of window first so next overlap above goes on top.

Thanks again for all the help

Ali

[David Rogers]

As a rough guide.

Get yourself the following items:
Spray Bottle & fluid of choice, window cleaner squeegee, vinyl tools.

1. Clean glass with soapy solution & finish off with meths.
2. spray window (ideally a spare window) & roll vinyl onto it in reverse.
(stick the TOP to the glass)
3. Peel off the liner/backing & spray adhesive side
4. (With help), turn over and ‘float’ onto wet glass in position reqd.
5. Use window squeegee to get rid of water/fluid. It’s wide, won’t damage the surface & glides over the wet vinyl perfectly.
6. repeat as required.
7 Overlaps of 3-4 mm max, ideally with the overlap flowing DOWN the window to prevent dirt building up!
8. Let it settle for a while before applying top logo.

NO application tape is required – but a helping hand might be useful for large areas. I always cut to length before I start – makes life easier.

Hope that helps. I’ve done loads of these and it always works just fine.

Dave

[Alistair Richards]

Thanks ever so much David,

Greatly appreciated. :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

Ali

[Robert Lambie]

i wont go into my dry spiel and the benefits of it over wet. however, if wet it is, then wet it is…

call All print supplies and ask for a "sample" bottle of rapid tac 2. this bottle is enough to cover the window job in question and some…

before starting, clean window and surrounding area. use a blade scraper to rid the window of any paint specs or grime. then degrease with isopropinol or meths.

i know many use water, water and shampoo, water and meths etc all have their preference, however mixing with some options will increase drying time. meths and water mix helps stimulate the adhesive a little as is also supposed to accelerate drying. the truth behind this I’m unsure…
at the end of the day, the BIGGEST problem with wet application is drying time. by that i don’t just mean water expulsion but actually adhesion build up to. yes it is much easier to apply large pieces of vinyl, but once its on, that’s were ALL the favours stop.
Rapid tac 2 is a glorified application fluid in many ways. but… it does work well for "Flat" applications of large panels and the like.
its a liquid of course but also has built in stimulants to help activate the adhesive as well as dry out faster. it also has a soapy ingredient to help with the greasy sliding effect you get with fairy liquid and baby shampoo…
all in all, its the best of them all and the sample is free!
i do not advise you of this as a way around getting free rapid tac, it is free, (first bottle). however, if you like it, i am sure you will continue to buy it. be warned, its not the cheapest but worth it to get the job done with as little hassle as possible. at least until your confidence builds up.

application tape?
you shouldn’t need it. but ide be careful… your fitting outside and although the sun is shining some days at the moment, the wind is cold and will make your vinyl very brittle. ad water/liquid and it will get colder…
be careful… take app-tape with you in van but don’t apply unless you start doing the job and it is giving you problems. you can then apply the app tape on site and proceed with the rest of the job.

hang the vinyl like wallpaper. start at top, aligning down one side. squeegee left to right expelling the water. each time you reach the bottom soak as much liquid up as possible with a paper towel.
Trim the vinyl at the bottom "rough" as it will help rid the water till adhesion builds up.
Use a nylon squeegee to do this. a mist of fluid on the rear of the vinyl helps the squeegee glide easier but remember and dry once done as it leaves the vinyl grubby looking.

if you are right handed, work from the left towards the right.
this means your overlaps will be on the left. the overlap will trap fluid and it will be impossible to rid it all.
the overlap will also adhere quicker and prevent fluid expulsion. because you are right hand pushing/forcing the fluid out to the right more will be easier "after" the vinyl has been applied. as this is the open end of the vinyl, so to speak.
once done, go back over all the panels squeegeeing the water out.
leave them for 20 minutes then using a straight edge and a very sharp blade. trim away from the window edge a minimum of 5-8mm all around.
this will also help fluid to escape, particularly from the bottom.
once trimmed up, squeegee again out towards the sides and dry down with paper towel.

when applying the logo on top be careful. if you remove the application tape you can pull the vinyl away slightly from the glass causing wrinkles/creases.

hope this helps…

[Alistair Richards]

Rob

Thanks a billion, that helps loads and loads. Just been practicing on my lounge window, using Grafislip. Seem to be getting good results. You think that hanging the vinyl vertically would be best then? It would certainly make for more managable pieces of vinyl.

Once again, thanks a billion.

Ali :lol1: