Wrapping Transit in a metal cladding farm unit

[RickJesse]

Hi Daniel, I’ve wrapped a couple of wagons for an agricultural haulier in their shed, and it sound pretty much the same as what you’re describing. We did what you are doing with the space heater. I’m sure you’ve experience this before yourself, but we had quite a few bits of vinyl crack and split on us until we got into the habit of keeping the vinyl and the vehicle body warm where we were working. If you have to pop anything off make sure it’s warm as we had laminate coming away from the print too.

Sometimes you have no choice, but it was far from ideal and I probably wouldn’t do it again. Three was enough.

Good luck.
Rick

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Rick.

This is what i’m worried of and to combat this I was hoping the infrared heaters facing the bodywork would keep that areas under more control.

[Hugh Potter]

My workshop is very cold and if I’m doing anything even remotely ‘large area coverage’ I will put an electric heater in the back of the van and leave it running, if the van isn’t ply lined it’ll warm up the panels fairly quickly.

H

[Simon Worrall]

I had to get a propane space heater last week before the heating was fixed at my shop.
It is 33,000 BTU good for 650 cubic metres but my shop is only 150 cubes.
It turns the place tropical in two minutes!
Cost about 140 pounds

[Iain Pearson]

What make/model is it Simon ?

[Robert Lambie]

The problem with space heaters is it is kicking up dust you cant see. its also a very different type of heat.
regardless, it is better than nothing especially in a large room.

Infrared heaters pointing at the area you are working on will help heat the van surface which is paramount.
if you are trying to apply vinyl to a cold metal the coldness will repel adhesion, stiffen the adhesive up and make the vinyl shatter, split very easily. 3M control tac media particularly doesn’t like the cold because the firm adhesive is not as receptive to the micro beads levitating the film.
Hughs suggestion of heating the van from the inside does work too and helps contain the heat more even. takes longer to heat but not that long if you stick it in the van well before starting. also keep the media in a box at least, but better maybe in the van too or a close by room to try prevent it going brittle on the roll.

regardless to the media or brand you use, the cold is an enemy and will void any case you have in the event of a fail.

Cold will make the media:

* CRACK – SPLIT – SHATTER WHEN APPLYING WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING
* DE-LAMINATE FROM ADHESIVE
* DE-LAMINATE THE LAMINATE FROM THE PRINTED MEDIA
* PROHIBIT PROPER ADHESION OF MEDIA TO THE VEHICLE PANEL
* SLOW DOWN APPLICATION

(use a laser temp on the van prior to installing so you know its not too cold/hot to apply to.
use your media spec sheet to see ideal application temps etc. (easy found online)

at the end of the day you need to get the job done. but you need to stress on the customer that conditions are wrong.
this at least gives you some credibility should something go wrong.

as you are using a space heater, be sure to continually clean down the vehicle just before applying each panel. (even if you think its spotless).

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks guys, I already have a space heater that is perfect but I intend to use it in a corner well away from the vehicle.

This is purely to heat the whole unit up.

The infrared heaters will then shine into the working area to keep the media and section warm.

It’s not perfect but sounds as though it should be fine.

I’m now thinking of using the Avery 1104 media which has been recommended to me, I understand that the 480 material can be a pain if not done at 22 degrees+ and 3m’s in 180 and Avery 1104 are more forgiving

[Stuart Taylor]

quote Daniel Evans:

Thanks guys, I already have a space heater that is perfect but I intend to use it in a corner well away from the vehicle.

This is purely to heat the whole unit up.

The infrared heaters will then shine into the working area to keep the media and section warm.

It’s not perfect but sounds as though it should be fine.

I’m now thinking of using the Avery 1104 media which has been recommended to me, I understand that the 480 material can be a pain if not done at 22 degrees+ and 3m’s in 180 and Avery 1104 are more forgiving

Hi Daniel

Not sure where your information or advice came from regarding the 3M 480 series ? But to clarify 3M’s tech bulletin regarding minimum application temperatures states 10 degrees Celsius for flat application or 16 degrees Celsius for recess panels.

With any wrap product I would suggest ideal temperatures are always going to be around 20 degrees as it makes the film more pliable and the adhesive is at an optimum temperature for initial grab – If anything 480 series (Non PVC) will be better at low temperatures compared to any PVC wrap film as PVC really doesn’t like low temperatures.

If you need any further advice please give us a call

Stuart

[Penny OGrady]

Where are you based?
Can you not chat someone up with a workshop or a body shop?