What’s the best way of making sure body work is vinyl ready?

[Marc F]

For boards and stuff I notice when you peel of the film it always attracts dust through the static.

Clean the surface with whatever you find good, then use a tak rag to lift the dust, its slightly sticky to lift the dust.

Another problem can be the backing paper of the vinyl, give it a wipe with a tak rag too to clean the dust then set it down, it takes less than a minute to do all this and you’ll definitely notice a huge difference!

Dust is normal, but if you’re cautious enough and take a little extra time prepping you minimize it by alot.

As for vehicles the same applies, wipe the backing paper with a tak rag then tape it to the van.

Hope this helps, and as always a clean bench will help too.

[Tim Painter]

Get some panel prep degreasing fluid from a local Auto trade paint supplier. Usually available in fast and slow evaporation in 5L. I use the fast stuff, good panel preparation is a must.

Tim.

[Chris Gusman]

I’ve always used Meths and a cloth and continually check the surface as i apply, never had any problems.

[Marcella Ross]

Depending on how clean the surface is then either water with some Isoprop in it or meths like Chris has just mentioned. If it’s got glue on it then Citrusol works well.

[Chris Wool]

will

quote :

I clean with Avery surface cleaner and use paper towels

that is good stuff you should be ok with it

chris

[Will Plane]

Thanks guys. Just wanted to make sure I was on track. About using meths, purple stuff or clear? (looked for clear but can’t find it anywhere, I see Rob uses it a lot in his demos) I was a bit dubious about cleaning with meths especially on motors, could it harm the paintwork? I had a job when I cleaned a panel of a van once with Avery surface cleaner and it made paint fade (alot). Since then I’ve been concerned about using a strong cleaner.

[Andrew Boyle]

We use an isoprop mix and then the Avery Cleaner [good and expensive!] for the final clean…….although I don’t think people doing it all the time would pay the Avery price!

Cheers

[James Martin]

Ive been using Avery since a pal gave me some to try, its good but when I went to buy my own i got a fright at the price.

I also use meths, I can only find the purple stuff but is always been OK, so far.

Recently I bough some isotropic alcohol to try but I was going got use it neat, would that be a mistake?

[Nicola McIntosh]

quote James Martin:

Recently I bough some isotropic alcohol to try but I was going got use it neat, would that be a mistake?

isopropinol ..dont know the spelling either 😳 no using it neat wont damage the paintwork…the only thing that would i can think of would be cellulose thinners 😀

nik

[Chris Gusman]

Hi Will, when I’m using Mineralised Meths (purple) i will always follow imediately behind with a clean soft cloth. Cloth with meths in one hand and clean dry soft cloth in the other. I would be careful when using it on a non factory finish though.

[Andrew Boyle]

We use a mix of isoprop and water for preparing everything and the Avery for final reparation on vehicles……..We also use 100% isoprop for occasionally cleaning certain surfaces…

😀

[Robert Lambie]

quote WillPlane:

I had a job when I cleaned a panel of a van once with Avery surface cleaner and it made paint fade (alot). Since then I’ve been concerned about using a strong cleaner.

i haven’t used the Avery cleaner but i will stick my neck out and blame the paintwork or the time the paint has had to cure as the blame.
if you are in a coach builders working on a fresh painted vehicle. 9/10 times your working on that vehicle too soon!
sometimes Strong chemicals that will degrease a factory painted vehicle "no sweat" will bite right into fresh paint… this goes for meths, isoprop etc etc
if a van is fresh out the oven then "white" paper towels and water will do the job… don’t use the cheese cloth stuff as that has polyester fibres that can score minute traces in the paint that can be seen at an angle or certain light. (lots of valetors use this) 🙄
i use industrial clear meths for just about everything… buy it in in drums… far cheaper than the purple off the shelf stuff…. that coupled with large "white" paper towels on a roll… aka centre feed towel.
using a coloured cloth can leave colour on white vehicles due to the die running when meths or isoprop is applies to it… then there is the purlpe meths..
in very cold weather the dye in that can discolour a white van… (i have the t-shirt to prove it after a daft member of staff did it) 🙄

if lettering any sign and having static problems… wet a cloth and wipe the bench top surface down.
also check you dont have crap/ dust. foamex shavings etc sticking to your top… all this will jump freely to the underside of the vinyl due to static pull.

[James Martin]

isopropanol, that’s it.

Do you think it could go into a spray bottle? and if so or not, what kind of mix ratio could i use it at?

[Robert Lambie]

james your close enough to me to buy clear meths from my supplier… one drum will do you months mate… it comes with a dispenser pump so we just fill gardening spray water bottles with it as and when needed.

[James Martin]

Lol, I dont have the room for a drum Rob, could you not sell me a milk carton’s worth every quarter?

[Andrew Boyle]

made me look at it 😕

http://www.health-report.co.uk/isopropyl_alcohol.htm

mind you I shouldn’t be drinking this wine or then going to my bug filled bed (!)

Who Knows 😀

[Nicola McIntosh]

what i loved most about isoprop it is brilliant at cleaning your pc’s, but then again everyone has not got much beige now 😕

nik

[James Martin]

I read you can make your own air fresheners with it as well.

[Andrew Boyle]

Jeez

PERSONAL HYGIENE PROCEDURES

If isopropyl alcohol contacts the skin, workers should flush the affected areas immediately with plenty of water, followed by washing with soap and water.

Clothing contaminated with isopropyl alcohol should be removed immediately, and provisions should be made for the safe removal of the chemical from the clothing. Persons laundering the clothes should be informed of the hazardous properties of isopropyl alcohol, particularly its potential for causing irritation.

A worker who handles isopropyl alcohol should thoroughly wash hands, forearms, and face with soap and water before eating, using tobacco products, using toilet facilities, applying cosmetics, or taking medication.

Workers should not eat, drink, use tobacco products, apply cosmetics, or take medication in areas where isopropyl alcohol or a solution containing isopropyl alcohol is handled, processed, or stored.

[Robert Lambie]

I’m currently testing a new 3M vinyl which stipulates NOT using isoprop before applying… there is a prep liquid that should be used but i do not know much about it until it arrives. ill keep you all posted. 😀

martin a drums about 25 litres (i think) not expensive either…
keep it in your shed or something, very handy if you run out of beer. 😳 :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

[Andrew Boyle]

I’ve been on it for about two days now……posted pics of little red eyeholes instead of a real shop front…….agreed to do 50 jobs before the 1st of Nov………and admitted that women are rational 😀 😀