is reflective a dry only applied vinyl?

[Andy Gorman]

Layering the reflective onto another material certainly makes the stuff easier to remove in the future. I have also been told that reflective should always be applied dry. However, I have used application fluid with it and not had any problems. I am referring to engineering grade here – don’t ever use a fluid with any of the high conspicuity reflectives (the honeycomb looking stuff) coz it will fall off.

[John Harding]

ive used wet app on flexi lite class 2 reflective, as part of red yellow chevrons on rear of vehicle, ok as long as your not following internal contours then it needs to be done dry.

fleet been on the road 3 yrs now no probs

john

[Peter Normington]

Avery should not be applied wet, The edges will start to lift in a few months (been there done that)
Peter

[Johnny Taylor]

Hi Steve
We have been advised to only dry apply reflectives due to them having a layer of aluminium in the vinyl, this stops the vinyl “breathing” allowing the moisture and or air to escape. Most other vinyls will allow air and moisture through. We use a mixture of wet and dry for most applications, depends on the situation. Hope this is of help.

Cheers Johnny

[Andy Gorman]

I’ve had the corners lift on Avery XR1000 range when applied dry now you come to mention it! Only happened once, I thought it must have been something on the vehicle but maybe the vinyl was at fault.

[Peter Normington]

They did have a problem Andy around nov/dec last year. I applied some dry, as I normally do, and next day it fell off (not joking).
Suppliers told me that there was an “issue” and I posted on the boards, others had similar problems.
Peter

[steve geary]

Thanks all….
I’ll keep experimenting with dry application..
For those who have used avery and 3M, Do you prefer one or the other? 3M is slightly higher in price, but would be worth it to me if it aids installation, and or durability.

So any quick application tips for doing two color lettering Dry, other than using clear tape, and small sections?

I’ve done three ambualances so far, the customer is happy, and tells me it’ll be about one a week. The first one, i put fifty hours in… I estimated 15 – 20. I covered painted stripes with vinyl and then lettered it. It Definitely was a learning experience.
I’ll see if i can figure out how to post some pics…

[Peter Normington]

If you want to show us the pics you will have to use the show us your stuff, forum.
There are quite a few tips on here about layering vinyl
Peter

[steve geary]

Thanks for the tip on the pics….

I’ve been browsing the tips and tricks forum… It’s Awsome! I’m going to be here for a while!

[Shane Drew]

Hi Steve,

I always prefer 3M to Avery. Much easier to apply with the clear backing, but I like the feel of the tape anyway. Oracals new 751c feels much the same, but with a paper backing.

Reflective should always be applied dry as, with its inability to let the water out, due to its metal inner layer, it promotes rust on a metal surface it is stuck to.

All the manuafacturers will void warranty if applied wet.

Applying the reflective with a soft applicator is probably the easiest way not to get bubbles.

I’d suggest you try Oracals reflective too. I have less issues with their reflective and bubbles, although I can not tell you why.

Hope that helps

Cheers
Shane

[steve geary]

Great advice from all… I’ll surely use it.
Thanks…

[Andy Gorman]

I’ll second the felt squeegee method. I think it is the thicker layer of adhesive that can tend to show any discrepencies in your squeegeeing and a softer one helps. Reflective is a bugger to apply, it is tempting to treat it as you would any other vinyl, but you have to take a bit more time and care that’s all. Hot weather doesn’t help. I recently applied a load of reflective outside in the garden and it was a nightmare under the blazing sun.

If you can ever call our weather blazing! Warmish maybe.

[Peter Normington]

So andy
what were you applying reflective to in the garden?
Roses? trees? elves 😀
Peter

[Andy Gorman]

An aluminium tray that was too big for my shed….oops I mean workshop. I had 36 x 3m long ally panels to lay up. They were everywhere, at least I kept them off the kitchen table.

[Lynn Normington]

our shed oops garage workshop isn’t that big 😀 think we’d have to use the garden as well 😎 I only have a small umbrella

Lynn

[Robert Lambie]

hi steve
i have emailed you some dry application video links mate. may help you get an idea on how i do it small scale and large.

[Phil Halling]

Hi,
We fit 90% of the roadside assistance vehicles for (cant say the name – but their vans are orange) and all the reflective parts are 3m and applied dry, never have a problem although a transit front wing can be a bugger to wrap in it.
What has already been said about reflectives not “breathing” is correct, and with this in mind should never be applied wet.

Phil

[steve geary]

Thanks again for all the tips…. The advice will be put to good use!

Robert Thanks for the videos, they were very helpful. It’s pretty much what i pictured, but helps a great deal to actually see it being done.
I had no problem saving and opening the vids.. they worked great

[J_J_O]

quote Robert Lambie:

hi steve
i have emailed you some dry application video links mate. may help you get an idea on how i do it small scale and large.

Hey Robert could you share the links also with us, thanks!

JJ