Forum Replies Created
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Gil Johnson
MemberMarch 19, 2016 at 10:20 am in reply to: I think that I was fair with my response??Oh dear, that’s well up there with the worst of them!! 😮
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Have you tried cleaning the eye of the sensor? (Carefully!)
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberMarch 9, 2016 at 9:52 pm in reply to: Gazebo & Portable workshops for vehicles, thoughts, opinions, sources? -
Gil Johnson
MemberMarch 7, 2016 at 6:11 pm in reply to: Intercoat Imitation Gold (Rexcal Cast) 7-038Hi Rod,
We use a lot of ‘imitation gold’, we struggled to find anything but found oracle 951 do a good match, not locked up your reference to compare but maybe worth a look.
N.b. it looks like a dark cream on the swatch but looks well against dark colour.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberFebruary 18, 2016 at 10:26 pm in reply to: Pre-printed frosted etch film sources / advice?Hi Dave,
Used this film before when specified by an architect.
It was not deemed effective for their requirements and we ended up backing with an etch film to achieve the effect they wanted.
Omega window films, not certain they manufacture it, but could not find another supplier when we searched.
http://www.omegawindowfilms.co.uk/makin … -film.html
Hope this helps.
Gil
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We are going to try and go Wed or Thurs, may even manage a night out! :thumbup2:
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberJanuary 8, 2016 at 11:53 am in reply to: Jacobs.com logo blue, not the biscuits company lolHi Alan,
Here is the Jacobs logo, only ever printed it i’m afraid, but the colour breakdown will be correct.
Hope it helps.
Gil
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Hi Jean,
I agree with Hugh on this, we wrapped a rally car a few years ago, it was a fibreglass shell with no primer, it was for a one off event so the customer pushed ahead against our advice but there were failures even in the non recess areas very quickly. Don’t think a primer will alter things much.
Gil
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Hi Kev,
The bracket in your picture is from
Tradesignz.com
01524 841726
Ask for Norman.
Hope this helps,
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberNovember 25, 2015 at 12:48 pm in reply to: Double Sided Window Stickers – advice needed, please?I agree with Kevin, the allprint material is very good, no ghosting or show through.
Gil
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Did you get graphtec registration points printed?
They are small crosses with a circle round them.Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberNovember 13, 2015 at 1:37 pm in reply to: How to apply gold/silver mirror vinyl on glass? Any advice?I would suggest it’s recommended dry app as its a water based adhesive which will go ‘milky’ if applied wet, you could try rapidtac or similar product, or apply onto clear vinyl acrylic adhesive pre cut circles with a laminator, this will then give you a vinyl you can apply wet, as this sounds like a seasonal short term display it should be fine.
Gil
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Hi Ewan,
It’s Futura, possibly medium condensed.
Gil 😀
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Gil Johnson
MemberNovember 7, 2015 at 9:17 am in reply to: Supply and fit pricing – what’s a good rule of thumb?Hi Daniel,
Get yourself a ‘price it’ guide, you will find a link for it somewhere on the boards. It’s a great reference to check your pricing.
Price for standard etch £40 – £45 per sq.mtr. fitted.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberNovember 5, 2015 at 10:38 am in reply to: Help required sourcing split batten suppliers, please? -
Gil Johnson
MemberNovember 5, 2015 at 9:11 am in reply to: Help required sourcing split batten suppliers, please? -
Gil Johnson
MemberNovember 5, 2015 at 8:54 am in reply to: Business insurance – who can you recommend?Elite have a specific sign making policy and seems to cover every eventuality, but switched this year to NFU mutual who matched the policy for approx half the cost.
Gil
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William Smith, but also try:
http://www.tennantsuk.com/reflective-so … vron-kits/
They do 3 different grades, quick turnaround too.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberOctober 23, 2015 at 5:53 pm in reply to: Custom sized Self-Healing top for cutting tableHi Peter,
Signgeer.com
Used them for our mats, they have several different options.
Gil
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I agree – it probably is too cheap, but always seems that way on a one off or first of a fleet.
Most of our work is repetitive fleet work, when we do a one off vehicle it never fails to surprise me how long it takes!!
Maybe I should make a note to remind myself for next time!!
Gil
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Hi David,
One off jobs can catch you off guard!!
We would be around £550.00
Hope that’s near where you were?!!
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberOctober 17, 2015 at 6:23 pm in reply to: Etch Cutting without border – help please?Hi Robert,
Say if your window is 1m wide and you want to use the full 610mm material width, draw the vertical lines at 1m apart X 580mm deep, add your logo / text to the centre of the etch and cut, then finish vertical lines by hand – 15mm top and bottom.
Hope that is clearer?!
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberOctober 16, 2015 at 5:52 pm in reply to: Gerber Fatrack 1300 – how do you disable the Auto Sheet Off?Hi Phil,
We had one of those years ago, great machine, it is a re branded mutoh plotter, search for that it should show up more info.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberOctober 16, 2015 at 5:45 pm in reply to: Artwork file – cut in flexi – best type of file to save to?Hi Daniel,
.ai or .eps
😀
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Gil Johnson
MemberOctober 15, 2015 at 10:35 pm in reply to: Etch Cutting without border – help please?Hi Robert,
Just put a point in each corner of the design, the plotter will not cut anything but a point will be recognised by cut manager and therefore cut your text in the centre, or you could draw a single line to the window width say 590mm deep and finish off the ends by hand, that way you have the the material cut to window size but still at 610mm roll width.
Hope this helps?!
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberSeptember 14, 2015 at 9:14 pm in reply to: Pricing digital prints in house – advice required, please?Hi Gary,
On a normal schedule we would just nest the job with other work, therefore minimising any waste, but if it’s a rush with no other prints to run then like you say it’s just waste.
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Gil Johnson
MemberAugust 27, 2015 at 12:09 pm in reply to: Starting up a small sign business – Help needed?Hi Levi,
As Iain says you can start on a really small budget, when I set up Ebay was a great source.
Agree with Iain on cutters etc, Graphtec, Summa ans Mimaki – all top quality.
This is on Ebay at moment 321818980136 (item number) its a Mutoh – rebranded Gerber cutter. Used to use one of these years ago, it would make a really good start machine, even has auto cut off if I remember correctly.
Good luck!! 😀
Hope this helps.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberAugust 25, 2015 at 8:32 pm in reply to: Sourcing one way mirror film for office window, help please?Hi Richard,
It all depends on the lighting.
No matter what film you use it will not work when you have less than 1 in 7 variation in lighting either side of the glass. Try installing lighting directly over glass on the side you want to be mirrored, this can work if positioned correctly.
Hope this helps.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberAugust 23, 2015 at 8:01 am in reply to: Mesa River View, Huge Mall signs to be seen from highwaysThat’s some signage Del!!
Imagine trying to get planning permission for that in the UK!
Really interesting, thanks for sharing.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberAugust 22, 2015 at 8:02 am in reply to: Can you varnish over sign vinyl? Advice please?Hi Tim,
Like Steve says lacquer is the one to go for, standard varnishes are not ‘clear’. Definitely go for a cast vinyl as this sounds like the customer wants it around for a while, a calendered vinyl will have a percentage of shrinkage over time, this will split the lacquer.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberAugust 19, 2015 at 5:48 pm in reply to: Blue Avery felt pro squeegees/recommend other squeegees?Replacement strips from Sign + Digital Ireland also, we use them on gold squeeges. Don’t last as long as original blue Avery, but not bad.
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Gil Johnson
MemberAugust 13, 2015 at 12:24 pm in reply to: Help please sourcing trade only suppliers of lectern signageHi David,
Give assigns a try, they have always been helpful with bespoke items.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberAugust 6, 2015 at 2:39 pm in reply to: Sourcing brilliant white car wrapping vinyl – help please?William Smith’s own brand isee2 brilliant white 70.100
Or Arlon 4600LX gloss white 4600 102
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberJuly 30, 2015 at 7:08 pm in reply to: Acrylic suppliers, other than Perspex Disti, or AmariHi Macky,
Give Steve Mitchell a try at vision plastics, he knows everything about acrylic!
Steve@vision plastics.co.uk
01614804389Hope he can help.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberJuly 18, 2015 at 10:51 am in reply to: Help needed sourcing double-sided flag material, please?Hi Lorraine,
Metamark do a blackout banner material.
Or give sue at Boldscan a call, they can print and finish too if required.
Hope that helps.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberJuly 15, 2015 at 6:28 pm in reply to: Wavy sign face in frame – what could cause this?The sign will be expanding all round but more on the horizontal (along the length of the sign).
All depends on the size overall, but an estimate would be to allow a 1/4 inch per panel, and use some panel locks to keep the panels together, that they will expand and contract together.
A sign like this is better hung along the top edge, this enables free movement.
Hope that makes sense?
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Gil Johnson
MemberJuly 14, 2015 at 7:46 pm in reply to: Wavy sign face in frame – what could cause this?A few reasons :
Not enough room for expansion in the frame (it’s black substrate so it’s going to absorb more heat)
The frame has been fit too tightly on the sign face, therefore it can’t move in temp variations.
You have not stated what substrate has been used, but if it’s an expanded plastic then it’s never going to sit in a frame without lots of movement.
Usually first reason is to blame for this type of issue.
Hope this helps,
Gil 😀
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Gil Johnson
MemberJuly 8, 2015 at 3:01 pm in reply to: Which type of Concrete to Use for a Totem SignHi Dave,
We generally use a GEN 1 or GEN 2 mix (fairly dry mix so it goes off quickly).
This will suffice for most installs, if you are going to bolt into the concrete it will be a different mix, ask your supplier for advice.
Gil
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It’s pretty easy to manipulate the corners in most design software.
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Hi Nick,
Nearest I can think of is Segoe, but it has not got the rounded bits you noted.
Gil
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Hi David,
Nice work, thanks for sharing 😎
Gil
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Got to agree with previous posts, would only use a monomeric film for promo work / short term advertising on a vehicle.
Plus the MD3 has an acrylic adhesive whereas I’m pretty sure the hexis does not.
In answer to your question, yes we always use a polymeric or cast vinyl on vehicle work, it’s not worth the risk.
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Hi Alan,
Give Sue a call at Boldscan 01823 665849
Hope they can help,
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberJune 3, 2015 at 8:21 am in reply to: Feedback on Neolt trimmers / laminators please?Hi Stafford,
Cannot PM you as you seem to have your settings set to not receive them.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberJune 2, 2015 at 8:30 am in reply to: Feedback on Neolt trimmers / laminators please?Don’t think I can post email address sorry Stafford, would PM you but tried it before and cannot work it out!! there is supposed to be a text link by your avatar but nothing showing. (Rob will be reading this and put me straight i’m sure) but there are several posts about private messaging in the new format – i’m lost!
Gil :banghead:
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Gil Johnson
MemberJune 1, 2015 at 1:56 pm in reply to: Feedback on Neolt trimmers / laminators please?Many thanks Stafford,
We have a 1650c and never seen any instructions for it! this is sure to come in handy when we are stood swearing at it!!
Got ours given when we bought our Sagetech KK16, it had an error code so got Simon in from Laaco. He serviced it and it has run great ever since!
:thumbup2:
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Gil Johnson
MemberMay 21, 2015 at 1:44 pm in reply to: Need these accreditations – anyone have these as vectors?Hi Chris,
Have not got these to hand, but a great way to get logos is to run a search with ‘pdf’ at the end. i.e. fsb logo pdf
This will show up any manuals etc that have been uploaded to the web, then its just a case of looking through until you find the logo you need in the document, downloading it and importing the file. I find these are invariably the original vector files.
Hope this helps. 😀
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberMay 6, 2015 at 2:38 pm in reply to: SP540v & Pop Up Panels – advice needed, please?Hi Mike,
Movement in the machine is possible but it’s more likely to be your trimming, how did you trim the panels?
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberMay 4, 2015 at 10:36 am in reply to: Double sided window graphics question – help needed, please?The Allprint media is a blockout Rob.
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Gil Johnson
MemberMay 1, 2015 at 7:08 am in reply to: Car door protection help – which material should I use?Have you tried William Smith? Venture shield is now owned by 3M – I’m pretty sure they stock it.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 30, 2015 at 12:39 pm in reply to: Double sided window graphics question – help needed, please? -
HÃ Rich,
Welcome, – I hope the enthusiasm is contagious!!
"…..not just someone who thinks it’s an easy and quick way to get rich."I think you will soon realise it is not!!! :lol1:
Gil
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Sorry!
Make that Avenir!!! – Just enlarged pic!
😳
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Hi Lee,
It’s Gill Sans (light and regular).
😀
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 27, 2015 at 7:07 am in reply to: Graphtec CE6000-60 cutting the wrong sizesI remember having a similar problem years ago when running flexi for mac, can’t remember how we sorted it though! (think it was something to do with the cables / ports).
Did you buy flexi through an agent? – if so would be advisable to contact them.Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 26, 2015 at 11:21 am in reply to: Graphtec CE6000-60 cutting the wrong sizesHi Alan,
Obvious first – have you checked the sizing scale on production manager? on flexi the size can be altered from here, it should be set to 100%.
Gil
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Try Andy at ADM services, he is based in Derby but travels all over the country. 07921 380282
andy@admservices.euIf he can’t help he may know of someone nearer to you maybe.
Hope you get fixed soon
Gil
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Hi Kelly,
Whereabouts in the country are you?
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 23, 2015 at 10:57 pm in reply to: Font ID help needed – delivering excellenceNo worries Jean, glad help – we all have days like that, please help me out when I have mine!! 😀
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I am no engineer so will leave it out there for someone else.
Only other thing I can think of is we once had an issue with light reflecting off gloss laminate when using printer at night / in winter – we sorted it by applying a matt black overlay over the registration mark! – Weird, but it worked!
Gil
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Hi Neil,
What printer are you running?
First thing to check is the optical sensor, check it is clean – often overlooked but very important.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 22, 2015 at 6:21 pm in reply to: Advice Resizing larger prints ready for Wall Vinyl.Hi Greg,
Ads long as you have downloaded the largest file size available from shutterstock then there should be no problem resizing to the size you need.
On a professional image like that pixellation will be negligible.Hope that helps,
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 22, 2015 at 3:45 pm in reply to: Font ID help needed – delivering excellenceHi Jean,
Pretty sure it’s Palatino Bold Italic.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 20, 2015 at 12:25 pm in reply to: Vinyl for a emulsion painted inside office wallHi Seun,
As it’s for an internal application a monomeric film is appropriate.
M4 is a good budget film.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 19, 2015 at 7:11 pm in reply to: Vinyl for a emulsion painted inside office wallHi Tim,
Metamark 4 matt should be fine, all monomeric films are very similar.
Make sure area is out of direct sunlight.
Use a low tack application tape and post heat onto the wall after application to ensure a good adhesion.
Suggest you do a test somewhere out of sight to make sure emulsion has a good key – paint that has not adhered properly can come away with app tape. -
Nice portfolio of work there Tim,
I visit a friend in Belgium quite often and like to see all the different styles / trends.
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 10, 2015 at 10:50 pm in reply to: Help sourcing supplier of older sign locators, please?Hi David,
Try Lichfield plastics – they are the manufacturer, we used to buy directly from them but have not used them for a few years – we use snapfix now too.
Lichfield plastics 01889 577005
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 10, 2015 at 10:30 pm in reply to: Estimating Plotted vinyl – how do you price up jobs?Hi David,
Yes, always found this a difficult area.
Depends on the vinyl, we generally use Avery 777 and price this at approx £25 – £30psm inc weeding and app tape, but ultimately depends on complexity of design and total meterage on the job. Then factor in the usual labour costs for applying etc.
Seems to work out most of the time, but now and again you get a ‘that’s cheaper than I expected’ or a ‘wtf is that including gold plating it!!’
Would also like to know what others on the boards think….
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 10, 2015 at 10:08 pm in reply to: Help sourcing an A-Frame/Sandwich board Supplier, please?Hi Matt,
Try Horizon, they were the suppliers for Robert Horne.
http://www.thehorizon-group.co.uk
Also try http://www.tradesignz.com
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Had the same problem years ago so it just used to get picked up with all other rubbish, we looked into recycling again last year and our local council now picks up our bin full of silicone paper every week for a fraction of the cost of mixed waste. 😀
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Hi Alan, we use Glasplas.com
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Anyone using Oracle 751 and struggling to find it should try Sign + Digital Ireland.
Also try the Avery 777 cast, it’s a great film at a decent price – very similar to Oracle 751. -
Gil Johnson
MemberApril 8, 2015 at 12:05 pm in reply to: Is there a way to find how much media is left on a roll?Just pull out the roll core a little and count how many bands of material are left – On the last 5m or so on a roll the average circumference length is 300mm so just x the amount of bands x 300mm this will give you a fairly accurate measurement 😎
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Had an interesting conversation with Steven Mitchell from Vision Plastics in Stockport on Thursday, he is ex robert Horne and William cox.
They are upping all stocks and possibly taking on more brands to fill the void, website is only showing sheet materials but they distribute Oracal and Mactac.
Let you know how we get on. -
Hi all,
Knew something was going on a couple of months ago when voluntary redundancies came up.
Anyone know a supplier who stocks Oracal 951? – We have two contracts using this and struggling to find anyone.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 1, 2015 at 11:31 am in reply to: Door Slider Sign – help needed with finding a supplier?Haven’t used them for a while, request a call back, they are based in the States but ship stuff from Europe.
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Hi Chris,
Noticed this change in calendered vinyl over the last few years too.
Try the Avery 777 vinyl – it is quite opaque on the lighter colours.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberApril 1, 2015 at 9:31 am in reply to: Door Slider Sign – help needed with finding a supplier? -
Gil Johnson
MemberApril 1, 2015 at 9:08 am in reply to: Vinyl Fitting Temperature – advice required, please?Hi Daniel,
13 degrees ambient temp especially if you are applying to any curved areas or putting strain on the vinyl.
Would also advise you keep vehicle in overnight following install at this time of year to allow vinyl to cure.
Did you heat the reflective after applying to help adhesion? – What make / spec you using?
Gil
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I have tried to upload an avatar, I’ll try again. Won’t upload a photo – don’t want to frighten anyone!!
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Hey Gill, how are you?
Yes we use two cloths, going to go through a step by step guide with fitters to see if we can find a problem.
Still think Merc are putting on a different protectant though.
Gil
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Many thanks for advice. The vehicles are at an ambient temp between 15 – 18 degrees and kept in overnight following film fitting.
You may have a point Reza, I know that the 3M SP needs to be completely removed and dry, but I’ll check with fitters on this to make sure.
Many thanks.
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Gil Johnson
MemberFebruary 10, 2015 at 11:55 pm in reply to: Solid colour vinyl or digital print – help required please?I’m with Robert, cut vinyl will achieve a better finish. As he says it’s a trickier job but allows original white of vehicle to show through.
Gil
😀 -
Gil Johnson
MemberJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:52 pm in reply to: How do you guys heat your workshops? Advice please?Installed a clean burn used fuel burner (thermobile) in autumn last year. It runs off any used oil or a diesel mix.
Not had to pay for any old oil yet so been completely free to run and sometimes it’s that hot we’ve had to open a door!!
:lol1: -
Gil Johnson
MemberJanuary 24, 2015 at 8:52 am in reply to: Di bond external lettering with stand offs. Help please?Yes, the two part liquid adhesives, lots to choose from.
Gil
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Gil Johnson
MemberJanuary 23, 2015 at 1:52 pm in reply to: Di bond external lettering with stand offs. Help please?Hi Phil,
We used to do quite a lot of these but stopped using composite for individual letters as it de-laminates.
Any locator will do, but make sure you use an adhesive that will grip the Dibond and the locator – 3M or Eurobond will have a product.
There is a grey double sided 3M Tape that will do this (can’t remember the code though- Jeaton’s Preston).
Bighead locators are the best failsafe – especially for larger letters
http://www.hall-fast.com/bighead-bondin … aded-studsBut my advise for a long term sign is to stick to unlaminated materials!
Gil