need help please fitting 3m diamond grade?

[Robert Lambie]

they must be intending on spending a few bob mate. probably big-g is the man with advice on this stuff. worked with it for years.
cost is not a good thing when this stuff comes into the picture. you can be out thousands of pounds and thats not for a full roll 😮
if its juts straight lines etc then your ok when it comes to cutting because unless using a flatbed vinyl cutter your gonna have problems.
suppliers of this stuff are maybe KPMF? grafityp, william smith (main 3M supplier but not cheapest) & a few others, names slip me sorry.

what i do when quoting is give them a very realistic price on the diamond grade. (YOU MUST GET A GOOD MARK UP ON THIS)

then offer them an alternative reflective. luckylite is my favourite, holds well and doesnt tear. about £11-£12 a metre

[Andy Gorman]

One important thing with diamond grade; you must seal the edges when you cut it. Some suppliers will be able to supply you with an edge sealed roll but you have to seal any cuts you make. Either with a uv varnish, or it can be done by overlapping some clear vinyl strips over the edges. Both methods are done after application. the result of not sealing the edges are that water will creep into the cells which, apart from looking awful, stops it reflecting. As Rob said, you can’t really cut it with a regular plotter; you need a flatbed. But, if it is chevrons or something similar, it is easy to cut with a knife. Best way is to cut on the back and then snap out.

If your job only needs a small amount you could try asking 3M for a list of their regular users so you can buy a smaller amount. ( Last I heard a 50m x 610mm roll was about 3.5 grand!)
I know Halo Signs do a lot of Police work, and they do edge sealing, so they may be able to supply you with some. Also, it might be worth trying Graphicraft in Kempston – they are the co. who now own all the edge sealing equipment that my old employer owned. (Prior to insolvency)

As regards application, dry only. You get one chance with it as it will always delaminate if you try to reposition anything. That said, it isn’t a difficult material to apply. Probably because it’s very thick.
What sort of design are you making?

[Nicola McIntosh]

rob! i use nikkalite from europoint !! 😛

where do you get luckylite from? 😀 😀

Nik

[Brian Little]

mmm didnt relise it was so expensive…wouldnt ordinary reflective do ?fromone of the other suppliers, i mean sometimes i think your paying for the 3m grade

Regards Brian

[Brian Little]

sorry Big G never answered your question……its only to be cut for the bottom of the vehicles so theres no lettering to be cut ….but im worried ive drasticaly undercut myself here .

Regards Brian

[Andy Gorman]

The basic difference between Diamond Grade and what is called “Engineering Grade” (This is the general purpose stuff that is similar to regular vinyl, only thicker) is that Diamond Grade is what is called “high conspicuity”. Emergency services use it a lot on their vehicles because it reflects light to a seriouly high degree. It is made up of several layers, one of which is a prismatic lens layer. Engineering grade vinyl just doesn’t give the same level of reflection and when these vehicles are attending an accident on a fast moving road, they need to be seen. When you do this job, and if you do use Diamond Grade, you’ll see what I mean when you shine a light on it. Whatever you do, don’t trim the vinyl flush with the edges of any panels: the material is quite brittle and will snap at any edges that get any wear and tear. Instead, make the vinyl about 3mm short of any panel edges.

[Brian Little]

Thanks Big G and Rob for your help and advice ill let you know how i get on if it disnt work i may have to leave the country for a short while 😀 😳

Regards brian