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Wrapping over a panel weld/joint – Advice
Got a fleet job at the moment, just discussing the best way to handle the weld down the side of the van.
The attached visual shows where we’re apply the graphic, the branding we’ve removed had the vinyl slit either side of the weld.
We’ll be using Oracal 970… it would look better without a white line down the side… on the other hand I’m not 100% sure it wont fail.
I’ve done a few tests today with a van of theirs, and I’m not convinced that we can get all the air out down the weld, resulting a failure. It’s not helped by the fact the weld’s not perfect, there’s a big ‘blob’ in the recesses which complicates things.
Any techniques you could suggest, or would you just slit the vinyl?
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5 Replies
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Good question. I’ve tried both slitting the vinyl either side of the join and leaving it in place. Neither are 100% satisfactory for the reasons you have already mentioned. More recently I have resorted to slitting the vinyl down one side of the join only leaving the vinyl in place but also allowing it to shrink back over time without the blistering you normally see. Interesting to see what others do in this situation
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On my vivaro I just wrapped over the seam and then put a relief cut! It’s barely noticeable right now but even if it does shrink back slightly I think a slight line looks better than the seam lifting!
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There’s I couple of options I can think of. 1 – 3m primer 94, will stick like sh1t to a blanket but still the risk of water getting behind and splitting. 2nd, 3m do a twin filament cutting tape especially for this job. Leaves a lovely even line on either side. Personally I’d cut it out or use the tape. Alot of those apparent welds are actually a type of expanding sealers. You’ll know by pressing your nail into it.
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I have never left vinyl on these welds. i always cut either side and remove and explain that it is what it is. Leave it on and it will fail.
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Cheers, sounds like cutting is the safer option. Customer seemed happy with it cut on the previous signage, so we’ll do the same. Their marketing person seems switched on, and has given us a little creative licence to adapt things to assist with fitting & durability.
There’s 17 vehicles in total, best not chance them all failing :shocked:
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