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how do i multi-layer Vinyl on Glass?
Hi folks,
I’ve to do some work for a solicitor opening a new office in the town.
Most of the work is vinyl lettering on glass. One of the glass panels/windows is an external window and the rest is mainly on internal glass panels …. on the door to the main reception area and on other doors within the main office itself.I’ve decided to do the lettering black with a 3-4mm gold border/outline.
If I was applying this to a normal outdoor sign-blank, I’d lay black on the gold. However, I’m wondering what the best way to do this on glass.I suppose for the external glass/window, I’d like to keep the vinyl on the inside of the glass to protect it from the weather, so I’d apply the black first and then lay the gold (larger) over the black, totally covering it to give the 3-4mm outline/border effect. Is this OK?
Anyway, my main question is…. for the internal glass panels, do I apply the vinyl on the front side of the glass (i.e. on the side facing the you/customers), this would mean applying the gold 1st and then the black on top of the gold. Or alternatively, I could apply the black 1st and then the larger gold vinyl, (as above for the external window) on the ‘back’ of the glass.
Does it really matter which side I apply the multi-layer vinyl for the internal windows.
What would you do in this case, interested to know how you experts do it…. all suggestions welcome !!!
Hope I haven’t confused anyone with my babble above.
Thanks Declan
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6 Replies
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inside the outside,or outside the inside (<(
Take a hammer and break all the glass….
problem solved :lol1:
😉 try work on the side of the glass that is subjected to the least amount of contact , from people passing and rubbing against it…such as hallways..
laying vinyl one on the other might cause you to have small airpockets trapped around the edge of the first layer applied once you fit the second layer….
try welding the two layers and fit one inside the other…you can always do a full layer over the whole thing again to block out light from any slight inaccuracies when fitting…
alot of this stuff while be trial and error deci…dont be afraid to try it once and see what works best for yourself 😉
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Declan,
I mostly apply the vinyl on the side it will be viewed from, the colours are then more vibrand. Also a lot of windows are now double glazed, and/or tinted so viewing side is far better.
Whenever possible, I prefer to build up layers before fitting, some dont or cant get on with this, but it saves time on site, But glass is different from perspex, Dry is (just my opinion)better.Peter
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Hullo DEC, just finished window yesterday, i applied internal with lettering dry, and flood coated wet a 2 metre darker panel over the letters, just make sure all water or fluid is removed to a void air pockets THANKS JOHN
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i always apply the graphics on the inside fitted dry.
i don’t weld the graphics but it can help. however, i feel you get a better finish with layers as daylight begins peeping in the joins of the layers once any shrinkage occurs with the vinyl.
i apply everything on site in layers. I’m of the opinion if you try applying pre-built layers you will get a halo of bubbles around were each layer overlaps the other. but as peter says.. "some" may have a work around for this or don’t have a problem doing it.apply dry & use a felt squeegee for glass.
if you can, use a top hinge with a registration mark/line.i know the last post i replied to you you asked for a link to the demo i did doing this. the reason i didn’t was because the demo is a video demo and can only be accessed by gold+ members and uksg members. maybe its just me, but i feel if every time someone asks me about something and i post a link to an area they cant get too, it kinda looks like Ive turned supplier and touting for business. 😕 :lol1: anyway… i have a demo on multiple layers being built up and flooding a 2×2 piece of metal in vinyl also. at present this forum can be accessed but is not officially opened as yet. will be very soon though. 😀
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I agree with Peter on applying to the outside of the glass so that the colors stand out but I prefer as Rob does to build right on the door.
I use Iain Gordons tip for registration dots but I now I usually use triangles instead of dots and just freehand cut them or I use Rob’s method from the mentioned registration demo video.
With the registration marks the applying goes pretty quick and for me at least , it is easier then trying to pre-build.
Bryan
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I’d apply on the inside if it is clear glass, outside if it is not.
If fitting inside, lay the gold down first with a void where the black will be.
Then cut you black text 1 or 2mm bigger to cover the inside edge of the gold, and lay it over the void.
It is very quick, the outline remains true from the viewing side, and you have no registration worries.
Use a felt squeegee and you’ll have no problems.
Do it dry and by the hinge method if your more comfortable doing it that way.
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