Over Laminate

[Lloyd]

Are you talking about the application of the over laminate to the decals, or application of the whole sticker to the bike?

When applying any laminate its pretty handy to use rollers as it makes the job much easier, if doing it by hand, it really is a practise thing and takes a while to get the hang of.

I had to laminate 8 big posters recently A0 size with a Matt Laminate, just pinned one end down held the other end up and going from complete side to side just worked the vinyl with a brand new squeegee wrapped in Velvet.

Every job is different, other way is wet apply the laminate and leave to dry, but make sure the laminate can be wet applied as some can go milky.

[Paul Seamer]

Hi Lloyd, Thanks for the reply. I am on about putting a thick laminate over the top of the vinyl. I have tried rollering it on and holding it up at one end. I seem to still get little air bubbles! Do you think it is just practise? Surely the bigger companies don’t do this process? They get it bang on every time and churn out loads of graphics every day.

Paul

[Lloyd]

Hi Paul

Its hard to say, but it could be just practice. Are you using a good quality squeegee, like a 3M gold as its always important to make sure you are working with the best tools to do the job. It could also been down to the vinyl you are covering, and whether the laminate is compatible with the vinyl. So many factors to consider really. Have you tried wet?

[Paul Seamer]

I do not have a 3M squegee. Don’t really know there was a difference! 😀 Where can i buy one?

I have tried water under it as that is what i was recommended. The result was a little better but again not perfect. I have also heard of an application fluid? Would this help.

Thanks for the info so far.

Paul

[Lloyd]

The application fluids are so so, to be honest some do the job and some dont. You can get most stuff from Cherwell sign supplies or Sign Trade supplies 01622 689410

I was reading a post earlier on about application fluids how some people use them etc. I am a bit of a stick in the mud and still use a good cheap fairy liquid for majority of applications. However I do have some rapidtac that looks good in my van but rarely use it 🙂

As for the the 3M gold squeegee, it does really make a difference for most applications and i think most people on here will agree its pretty good, some squeegees wear away or just dont have the flex in the blade to get good even pressure.

[Paul Seamer]

Thanks for your help Lloyd. I will order a 3M squeegee tomorrow and give that a go. One last thing is that i was told that fairy liquid could damage the glue and make it go off?

Paul