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whats the best backing tape to use?
whats the best backing tape to use?? im having problems picking up the vinyl all i have to know what my tape is, is what is says on the invoice p/tear…….
also what methods do people fing most effective for getting the vinyl on the tape??
please escuse me i am a grade A noob :p
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17 Replies
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Chris.
I usually use conform app tape. As long as you give it plenty of pressure when laying onto vinyl you shouldnt have too many probs. Also conform lays flat onto the liner.
To seperate them, i give them both some more pressure just before fitting, lay the graphic app tape down, hold edge of app tape, and gently peel backing away at 45degs and as low down as possible to the graphic, keeping a carefull eye on wantaway letters/vinyl.
Have a look at the demos. Im sure youll get a better idea than me waffling on!!
Matt
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I use conform too. As Matt says, plenty pressure on the app tape and remove the backing paper. Lifts better than peeling back the app tape.
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I like conform, but it dosnt seem to like oracle. it only comes in one tack (so my supplier tells me) any one else tried this combo?
Peter
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yeah … but only on matt Oracal????? may make a difference Peter. Works fine with the matt.
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So that’s why I can’t get Oracal (gloss) to stick to my app tape-it’s a pain in the ass!
Think I might start up an "I hate Oracal" campaign 👿 (hot) (for several reasons, not just the above!)
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As far as oracle is concerned. I switched back to metamark a few months ago. Seemed to have nothing but trouble with oracle…….and the suppliers. I spoke to my rep, and got it down to a very good price. I also recieve an invoice within two days of purchase. No probs with app tape either. Sorry for putting a downer on oracle but it didnt seem right for me.
Matt
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well I use Orical vinyl and Orical app tape with no problems.
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We have also found in the past that when we used oracal tape with oracal vinyl it was fine ….. but if we use a different tape(s) … it doesnt want to stick to the oracal vinyl.
😀
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Maybe thats the problem Carrie, but I stock several different makes of vinyl and have just recently bought a new log of app. tape. I couldn’t be doing with thinking…’Oh, I’ve just cut Oracal vinyl, lets get the Oracal app tape out….. 🙄
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Oracal vinyl all the time with Conform tape never have a problem, but you have to get the correct App Tape, I believe there are two Conforms, a cheap one and a dear one, get the dear one (think it is 475). I have tried many different app tapes over the years and nothing beats the Conform for all round use, same goes for Oracal 751c, I couldn’t be doing with stocking different types of vinyl, you could be sure the other make of vinyl is the right colour I needed but to go round a curve on a vehicle, and it just couldn’t do it, 751c does everything.
Dave
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I just find 751c so difficult to use. Weeding-it tears. Applying-won’t stay on app. tape. Also grabs (on vehicles) the second it touches-there is no chance to lift & apply. The only time its good to work with (in my opinion) is on Forrex/corex boards.
Having said that, I like the colour range, and the prices are good, but I don’t think it’s worth the hassle 😥I generally apply vinyl to vehicles dry, but HAVE to apply the 751c wet.
Please note that I am not slating Oracal vinyls, 651 is fine to work with.
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Aaah it’s down to experience 😀 , I would agree 651 is easer to apply, it is thicker so you get that second chance to pull off and re-apply, and yes if you are not concentrating on your weedng you can tear into corners, but it is all down to practice and being precise. When they changed 751 to cast I found it harder to work with due to it being thinner, but now I am used to it.
Each to their own too I suppose, and for me getting it through Europoint along with all my substrates is less hassle.
Cheers
Dave
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Dave, its not that the letters tear so much as that the excess vinyl tears so that there is much more weeding to do between each letter as well as the middles.
As for applying-if you are using the ‘hinge’ method then lifting back off is generally necessary, especially over curves-I rarely manage to get large pieces to lay flat on first lay-does anyone else? -
quote Lorraine Clinch:Dave, its not that the letters tear so much as that the excess vinyl tears so that there is much more weeding to do between each letter as well as the middles.
As for applying-if you are using the ‘hinge’ method then lifting back off is generally necessary, especially over curves-I rarely manage to get large pieces to lay flat on first lay-does anyone else?Lorraine. I use Oracal with Conform and Rtape app tapes, never had a problem.
I use 751c with the hinge method al the time too, I think it is your application method….
A good app tape should give your sign the body once the backing is removed though. A cheaper app tape will be thinner, and so the sign face will be more likely to ‘give’ or flex, resulting in sticking down incorrectly.
Don’t remove the backing completely from the 751. If you keep the backing tape removed just ahead of the application, you’ll find it will keep the tension on the exposed sign material perfectly, and as you lower the backing as you apply it, the tension should be the same as you work down.
Some people completely remove the backing, then apply. If you are going to have probs, this is what will most likely cause it.
Hope that helps. Not telling you how to ‘suck eggs’ though.
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I use Conform R tape and Oracal 751c, no problems, well no more than other vinyls anyway.
Steve
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Hiya Chris,
The trick is not to use the tape to pick up the graphics. You should peel the liner from the the tape and vinyl. So, after you have the graphic weeded and taped, flip it over and peel the paper away.
P/Tear is probably Perfectearâ„¢ from http://www.Maintape.com. I’ve used their products in the past, but I wasn’t really impressed.
Another good tape that should be available to you is http://www.transferrite.com, however, I’m also a fan of and prefer to use R Tape’s conform series of application tapes with RLA. My favorite tape for most applications is 4075-RLA. But, I’m a little biased though. Their New Jersey, USA location was right up the road from me, so I was involved with the product evaluations while it was being developed 🙂
You can find out more about the different products at http://www.trape.comCheckers
a.k.a. Brian Born
Harrisburg, PA USA -
danke sehr viel!!! having a lot more sucess now :p
cheers 😉
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