what methods do you have for applying the etch?

[L J.]

Little John
I use MacTac etched vinyl with no problems, I just cut & the usual application tape, the secret is do not use water on window put on dry as always.
Long John

[John Singh]

Long John:
This is the way I do for straight cut letters in etch
Just apply dry

What I’m interested in is how some of you tackle applying a band of etch(say about 610mm wide) across the bottom of the window and within this band the letters have been cut out (fret cut)

Do you weed in the workshop or on site

Just curious!
Little John

[Bill Dewison]

Do you mean weed the letters out once it’s been applied to the glass John?

Cheers, Dewi

[John Singh]

We’re getting there 😀

Yes!

Just wondered if some of you have cute ideas of tackling this

John

[L J.]

Little John
sorry mate i may not understand the question right as it is getting late & all i can concentrate on is waiting for my nice new van to turn up, air con, Cd player, electric this, electric that, ABS, air operated seat, fitted hands free, bore bore bore.
Anyway the way i think you mean is instead of applying lettering to window you mean you are weeding out the lettering at your base & fitting the remainder of the frosted vinyl to the window!!!
If i am correct in this i still do not see a problem applying dry.
But i have a feeling i haven’t understood you correctly, if this is the case i am sorry so i will go back to daydreaming about my new van, sorry haven’t i told you about my new van, it’s got air con, ABS, electtttttttttt
L J

[Bill Dewison]

I’d weed it out like regular vinyl and tape it up with paper tape. I’ve tried clear tape, but for some reason it doesn’t like sticking to etch 😕

Have you tried the method of weeding it from the glass John? Are there any benefits to this, does it make fitting easier? I have had to weed on glass before, but it was mainly down to the fact I’d missed a panel when I was preping for the job. It was a lot of boring text cut inside a box, so its not surprising I missed it… still embaressing trying to explain why there was a line of unweeded text to the customer who was watching though 🙄

Cheers, Dewi

Edit: Wild shot in the dark here, but are you considering a new vehicle Long John? :lol1:

[John Singh]

Oh I’m really interested in your new van Long John
Just intrigued by the fact that will only have three pistons!

quote :

waiting for my nice new van to turn up, air con, Cd player, electric this, electric that, ABS, air operated seat, fitted hands free, bore bore bore.

:car:

John

[L J.]

i have just spent the last ten mins typing out a clever reply to little john & Dewi, when i caught my finger on the escape button, top left, what did it do, wiped the bl—y lot off.

Told you i have other things on my mind, anyway john you wont have any probs with that job, believe me I’m a doctor. If you get any air in the spaces as you are putting it on just have your scalpel handy to Peirce as you go, or do what i do have a beautiful blonde 18 year old to help.
Looking forward to meeting you & Dewi at sign uk on the Wednesday, same weird sense of humour. (and yes i am bringing my 2 blonde’s with me)

[Gordon Forbes]

Allo John Got a new motor LOL

[Fred Caffrey]

Hi, when fitting etched or other vinyls dry to the inside of a window, is there any way of avoiding the pressure streak marks that show on the outside of the glass. I’ve tried pressure with fingers and squeegee also heat but never get near the flatness you get with wet. Is it me or is this normal.

Cheers
Fred

[L J.]

fatman, i think your pressure marks are wear marks from your sqeegee.Always use gold 3M, they are more money but last a lot longer.
L J

[Fred Caffrey]

LJ, the streaks are there using a thumb or a new squeegee to apply vinyl.
It’s obviously parts that haven’t had enough pressure but they seem to remain even with a good hard rub with the squeegee. Do you run your squeegee vertically or horizontal when applying. I’ll try the gold 3m they seem to have a good reputation. Thanks.

Cheers
Fred

[L J.]

Forbie, not yet, soooooon. March 7th

fatman,
sorry but cannot think where you are getting them from. When i get these streaks i know it’s time to get a new squeegee out.
I start at center of hinge working upwards & outwards, a sort of fan shape.
L.J.

[Fred Caffrey]

lj, the streaks I’m talking about are on the adhesive side of the vinyl i.e. etched vinyl fitted on the inside of a window but viewed from outside. When fitted wet it looks smooth like the inside, but dry gives me the streaks (like brush strokes) problem with either a squeegee, roller or by hand. Transparent vinyl is worse as you can see through it from both sides when fitted dry, but streak free when fitted wet. Thanks for your input I’ll break the bank and invest in a Gold 3m maybe even a few.

Cheers
Fred

[Simon Clayton]

I would cut it all out leaving the letters in place tape up and apply to windows wet, that way the centres of the letters don’t move about.
Then remove the applicator tape and letters.

Simon

[Chris Wool]

quote :

all i can concentrate on is waiting for my nice new van to turn up, air con, Cd player, electric this, electric that, ABS, air operated seat, fitted hands free, bore bore bore.

not a 66 camper then 😉

[L J.]

quote :

not a 66 camper then

No, I prefer modern comfort, as in most things in life.
L J