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Which reflective vinyl is the most conformable?
Hi All,
I am looking for suggestions as to the most conformable Reflective vinyl out there. I have a job using reflective and there are a few curves in places. Nothing unusual or too extreme, but I would like to use the most conformable possible.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Peter
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18 Replies
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Alo Peter.
Does this vinyl need to be DG3 grade or is the engineering grade stuff reflective enough?
Is it for chevrons or something different?
We have stopped using 3M in favour of Avery for high reflective chevron kits (Fire & Rescue Services, Escort Vehicle, Chapter 8 and ECE104).
The reason is that the Avery product is thinner, more conformable, doesn`t de-laminate like the 3M does.
It is also significantly cheaper than 3M and can be cut without having to be edge sealed.
Robert Horne Stock it.
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Hi Rod,
This is just for looks. It will serve no purpose in terms of the road traffic act at all.Thanks
Peter
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just started using the new orical digital reflective apart from it having a water mark in it i am impressed, with the ease of fitting compared with all the other stuff i have tried. it is the most conformable I’ve used so far.
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Sounds interesting Chris. I assume this is also printable?
Where is the watermark and what size does it come in if you don’t mind me asking?Peter
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it also strips back off like regular vinyl with some heat.
doesn’t snap in tiny bits or leave a paste like residue.
there are two types, one more expensive than the other..the water mark on the surface is a necessity to show that it complies with various traffic laws being put in place in the UK. without it, you could be looking at any old engineering grade vinyl.
personally speaking, i think all vinyl should be water marked on the surface.
it will stop the cowboys undercutting quality workmanship & products used by using inferior products with naive customers. -
couldn’t agree more Rob. The water mark is useful when the reflective is used as it is intended. When its being used as an integral part of a design not so good. As this application is not to conform with traffic regulations but merely as an aesthetic addition, I will be using the most conformable without the water mark. Like the sound of easy strippability though!
Peter
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its about 25mm dia and you only see it from a certain angle repeated every 150mm or so. the first time i used it i never saw it until i removed the masking tape after fitting.
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yep, its discrete and could be made more discrete i think. the thing is, unless more and more things are done like this to identify brands and the like. the more our trade will be devalued.
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Hi Peter,
We can get the same Vinyl without the watermark although its actually a very fine lazer etching and really difficult to spot, new laws from the 10th of July mean all reflective graphics must display the ec104 marking. Its digital printable and removable with heat like a regular vinyl/ Oralite 56ooE
Cheers
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Can this material with the water mark be used for chapter8?
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not if its the engineering grade 5400 or 5600, no.
chapter 8 is specified, pretty sure it’s your solas stuff etc.
I wonder where that leaves the AA vans etc as they use 3m engineering grade and not microprismatic (or whatever the diamond grade type stuff is called!). I was quite surprised when repairing a couple of them lately that they used engineering films.
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The AA?
I would be surprised with anything on their vehicles these days… have you seen the state of their artwork?
It is one of my most hated Brands on the road. -
quote Robert Lambie:The AA?
I would be surprised with anything on their vehicles these days… have you seen the state of their artwork?
It is one of my most hated Brands on the road.HI Rob,
yes, the AA, I do a fair bit of work for an accident repair centre, i’ve done two AA vans, one using black 3m reflective (ok but i’ve used much nicer) and one using white 3m over printed with black and faded bevels -the newer style, in both cases i didn’t much like the vinyl.cheers,
HUgh -
wasnt meaning the actual materials used mate, just the design. those large AA with over sized bevels etc. are a mess. I think you can actually see whoever has been in charge of the graphics dept some years ago, has now left… :lol1: 😉
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Just for info, i have a copy of Chapter 8 reg , its about 200 pages long, Chapter 8 for the chevrons on the back only has to apply to Din 12899 – 1 which 5400 , 5600E and many others do do, Conspicuity/Diamond also does and some!! but its personal preference if you choose to use it or not, Conspicuity will become Law for new vehicle perimeters from 10th of July , anything over 7.5 tonnes MUST have the rear and side perimeter marked, metalized conspicuity tape can be cut with scissors no edge sealing required so a good add on sale for the fleet livery guys.
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The Avery conspicuity from Robert Horne is a god send for us. Dunno if was by design or luck that Cameron decided to stock it. 😉
We can cut it, conform it, and generally do things with it that you can`t with 3M.
I have`t tried it yet but i`d wager it would also plot.
Great product and it has arrived at the perfect time and a hell of a good price.
Most importantly, my customers love it.
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quote Cameron Steer:Just for info, i have a copy of Chapter 8 reg , its about 200 pages long, Chapter 8 for the chevrons on the back only has to apply to Din 12899 – 1 which 5400 , 5600E and many others do do, Conspicuity/Diamond also does and some!! but its personal preference if you choose to use it or not, Conspicuity will become Law for new vehicle perimeters from 10th of July , anything over 7.5 tonnes MUST have the rear and side perimeter marked, metalized conspicuity tape can be cut with scissors no edge sealing required so a good add on sale for the fleet livery guys.
Thanks Cameron, I’d obviously got my thingiies tangled up somwhere down the line!
Does RH have a ‘basic’ / ‘laymans’ version of the regs? something I can use when dealing with customers in order to accurately identify their needs?
also, any chances of a reasonable sized sample of the Avery conspicuity as mentioned by Rod above please? something i can run in the plotter to see how it goes?
thanks,
Hugh -
Hi Hugh,
I dont have a simplified but its a good idea , i can forward the document or at least copy and paste the relevant bit if you give me a call , am in Glasgow today.
Cheers Hugh.
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