i am after some Vinyl Application fluid advice?

[Barry Coles]

All Print sell it.

http://www.allprint.co.uk

Barry

[Steve Underhill]

Nice one thanks mate

[Hugh Potter]

i’ve used several types of app fluid, and have settled with one called ‘pre-spray’, i get it from sign trade supplies in maidstone. it’s a pre clean and an app fluid, so a pretty versatile bit of kit, and at £15 for 2.5L, alot cheaper the rap-tac,

i have tried the rapid tac range, and genuinely feel that for the extra money, there isnt much to gain, but you’d need to find that out for yourself, there are a few companies who will send you a free try out kit,

my personal dislike for rapid tac was how quickly it started to dry, i found when placing large decals on glass, the letters etc started to grab way before i was ready for them too ! but as i say… try it, you may get on better with it that i did.

all that said, 90% of my jobs now, just require me to use it as a pre cleaning fluid before dry app.

[Jill Marie Welsh]

I use Rapid Tac with vehicle applications and for most signs.
I apply small text dry.
I use Rapid Tac 2 for windows if I have to, or when it’s really cold outside.
Rapid Prep is a good cleaner, as well as Rapid Tac.
When I’m broke and desperate I make home-brew:
In a clean squirt bottle (quart?) I add about 4 drops of dishwashing liquid (not the lotion kind) and a capful of isoprophyl alcohol.
Then I fill with distilled water (cuz my well water is very nasty)
If you want this to smell “purty” add a few drops of vanilla extract.
But I prefer to use Rapid Tac.
Love….Jill

[steve geary]

First layer or one layer Dry…90% of the time.
Rapid tac
Rapid tac 2 for Glass, Cold or if I’m in a hurry. This stuff is fast!

I used Splash for a long time, but I prefer Rapid tac hands down.
I do most stuff Dry now but Fluid has it’s place with me.

steve

[Steve Underhill]

Well thanks for all the info guys, I placed an order with a regular suopplier today and they had application fluid there so i got 1 litre just to try it, once Im more comfortable with fiting etc Ill have a go with the other products mentioned, Im fine doing it dry though so should be ok with this hopefully
cheers all
Steve

P.S I just signed up to go the sign uk show I assume its well worth going?

[Richard Urquhart]

rapid tac 2 for me although i have to say im using less and less now and saving tons of time

but great for large multi layer stuff
rich

[Dave Bruce]

Just ordered Rapid Tac 2 today, never used any fluid before so feeling a nervous about my first job with it.

Dave.com.com.com

[Steve Underhill]

What was the web address of the place you get it?
I looked for the place in maidstone but all they had was a phone number, I like to see websites,
Or is this the only place?

[Dave Bruce]

Got mine from Allprint as other places I phoned didn’t sell Rapid Tac it was other makes and cheaper, but I always like quality, and RT come highly recommended here.

Dave.com.com.com

[Steve Underhill]

Thanks Dave, Ill give them a try I was on their site today actually but mustve been blind as I never saw it.
Mind you I have been busy.
cheers
Steve

[Hugh Potter]

vinyl corporation do rapid tac, sign trade sup’s in maidstone do ‘pre’spray’ which i use, i dont think they have a website, not seen one anyways !

[Martin Gray]

Hi Steve

Away to put vinyl on to glass for the first time and was thinking of getting some rapid tac 2. How did you get on with it? And did you get from allprint as mentioned by the others in this group

[Robert Lambie]

Most, if not all application fluids act as a barrier between the vinyls adhesive and substrate. this allows you to float the vinyl into place and expel the moisture out from beneath with a nylon squeegee.
The trouble is, there is still a certain amount of moisture trapped under the vinyl after all the squeegeeing is done. so you basically have to wait for the moisture to dry out before removing the application tape. or, give at least enough time for the areas you have managed to get the moisture out from beneath to start biting on the surface enough to allow you to remove the application tape.
rapid-tac2 acts like all other soapy bubble application fluids but has an advantage. it has chemicals in it that actually stimulate the adhesive which means a much quicker tack build up on application than the likes of regular wet application. so basically all areas do start to bite the substrate after in place because the chemical is doing the work even before the moisture is gone.
trying to apply vinyl in cold weather conditions is almost impossible because the mositure takes so long to dry out. I have heard of and seen cases where rapid-tac has been used in the snow and the application tape is removed quickly after applying the vinyl.

the down side to applying using this fluid is, like everything, you must pay for it. so my advice is, if you must apply wet, use rapid-tac2. just remember, even using rapid-tac doesnt allow you to wrap with it. nor will constant use of it ever make you a confident vinyl applicator to move to 100% dry app applicator and vehicle wrapper.

in short, apply dry from day one, practice makes perfect!
much less hassle and zero costs in the long run. 😀

Rapid-Tac
* RAPIDPREP cleaning & degreasing fluid
* RAPIDREMOVER the adhesive glue remover that works in minutes
* RAPIDTAC the original application fluid for vinyl lettering that speeds up the vinyl fitting.
* RAPIDTAC II the latest development. Especially designed for glass and low temp application

http://www.allprint.co.uk
01753 696977

.

[Martin Gray]

Thanks Rob

As i have just started up the first few vinyls i applied i put on wet. The only reason was i was sacred i mite make a mess of it. But i found the vinyl hard to squeegee on because it moved all over the place so the next few jobs i spent longer on the liniment of them and applied dry and am much happier. Dry all the way now 😉

The only reason i thought i would use rapid tac was for better adhesion on glass

Do you use it at all ?

Martin

[Shane Drew]

quote Martin Gray:

The only reason i thought i would use rapid tac was for better adhesion on glass

Do you use it at all ?

Martin

I’d be doing it dry on glass especially. As long as you apply to clean glass, your not going to get any better adhesion doing it wet, just more heartache. 😉

[Lee Madden]

I make up my own mix. you can adjust the amount of instant grab yourself basically to suite the app you are doing. it is made in a spray bottle my standard mix is 1/4 meths spirit ONE drop of fairy liquid and top the rest up with water for faster grab more meths less fairy. i have been using this mix for years and don’t waste money on the branded stuff, i have used on etching, large prints, and layered vinyls vans bascily all my apps its also great for preparing prior to app.

[Jamie Kimp]

I only use water/fluid when it’s a big bit of window etch vinyl. What’s the difference between water and fluid?

[Brian Little]

steve tesco baby shampoo …and warm water …..ive never found better stuff