what method do i use to fit vinyl stripes onto a mini?

[Martin Pearson]

What sort of stripes are they Jon and have you checked what vinyl the stripes have been cut from?

[Jon Fields]

Hi Martin
Not sure as yet. it’s just been a phone call so far..

Jon

[Martin Pearson]

Jon I would check the material before you do the job just to be on the safe side, as for applying you should be OK with a centre hinge and apply dry as bonnets tend to curve in two different directions.

[Jon Fields]

I was thinking of centre hinging but didnt want to create any unnecessary lines in the vinyl from the masking tape.

Jon

[Martin Pearson]

Jon, you shouldn’t do if you do it right. The other way you could do it is to use a masking tape line, start at one end and just follow the masking tape line you have placed.

[Martin Oxenham]

If these are the standard ones from BMW then they are of really good quality vinyl and should be applied wet with soapy water if you like and you can move them about as much as you like.
Piece of Pi** to fit.

[Chris Wool]

i can hear the fit dry police coming now.

i would probably do it wet but behind closed doors.

chris

[Martin Cole]

quote Chris Wool:

i can hear the fit dry police coming now.

i would probably do it wet but behind closed doors.

chris

:lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

I do them dry normally just a small wax pencil mark where it starts and where to finish, start at top and work towards bonnet, no app tape using felt squeegee.

Saying that, done a couple the other week, buggered (trying to rush) one up so done the next wet, as said not a difficult fit.

[Peter Normington]

quote Martin Oxenham:

If these are the standard ones from BMW then they are of really good quality vinyl and should be applied wet with soapy water if you like and you can move them about as much as you like.
Piece of Pi** to fit.

I dont think you should need to move them about, they should be fitted dry, and in the proper position to start with,
I may be wrong, Ive only fitted about 70 sets up to now,
not all are the same though, mac, 3m, and avery dennison are the main materials used, depending on the colour,

if you use the centre hinge method, to avoid a line mark, just cut the backing paper with a sharp scalpel or scissors, then fold the backing paper remaining under itself, so the cut edge is not in contact with the vinyl glue.
Peter

[Richard Urquhart]

Peter great tip there. I too apply like this but although i cut the release paper I didn’t think to tuck it under great idea
thanks rich

[Jonathan McGovern]

quote :

if you use the centre hinge method, to avoid a line mark, just cut the backing paper with a sharp scalpel or scissors, then fold the backing paper remaining under itself, so the cut edge is not in contact with the vinyl glue.
Peter

Use a Sharp blade, because if you use blunt then your likely to get ‘dust’ from the wax paper, i once ripped the paper because i couldnt find the blade, so it left tiny dusty bits from the rip, i didnt notice until the vinyl was laid…… never again!

But honestly i always did wet apply but after getting to grips with dry application, i recommend it, if you do things wet you have to wait for it to dry! I have told a signmaker friend that dry is easier…. but he said that when he does dry he gets lots of bubbles and if there et they’ll dry out in a few days, but when you master the hinge method and squeedgee the right direction/angle then you wont get bubbles at all.

[Ade Ward]

yep hinge sounds best i agree
dry for me to.

cheers

Ade

[Jonathan McGovern]

hi ade

Hows things? you going to sign uk?

Jof

[Martin Pearson]

I normally use a paper slitter rather than a scalpel blade to cut the backing paper, I find it easier to cut really close to the hinge without cutting anything else, as Johnathan has already said make sure it is sharp to avoid dust from the paper.