Applying high tack vinyl to baltic birch and addressing the seams in the plywood

[bigbuilder]

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for letting me join.

I have no experience in graphics or vinyl installation. We do however build billboards and install from time to time.

We have taken on a one off project for a loyal customer. Which is construction of some trade show booths.

The high tack vinyl with full printed graphic will be site applied to our backdrop walls. Constructed with 4 by 8 sheets of Baltic Birch plywood installed vertically. No corners or edges.

The vinyl will be installed for 3 days total. The show is only one day.

Question 1. - Can the high tack vinyl be applied to the unsealed baltic birch plywood and they wont have any peeling bubbling issues etc? If it must be sealed can I use a water based polyeurathane for this? The are quite a number of booths so its an investment in time and money to seal if it isnt necessary.
Question 2.- I am concerned that the vertical 8' high seams may be visible through the vinyl after they install it. Because the panels are all prefabricated and then assembled onsite. Is there a recommended tape we can apply to this seams to bridge the gap/seam and make it better for the vinyl installers? I want to make sure its a smooth as possible for them.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Boudica]

Hi-tac vinyl typically doesn't have air-release, and at that size you are bound to get some bubbles in it. for 3 days, you could get away without using the hi-tac and use a vinyl with air release. If you print on 54" media, then you shouldn't need any seams, but if do need to, then I would do a 1" overlap.

 

[signheremd]

Not sure who spec'ed high tack. But for an application like this I would use General Formulations Wallmark 226HTR (High Tack Removable) or Oracal 3551 Rapid Air (which is a polymeric intermediate with air channels for bubble free installation). I would not use MacTac High Tack as that might damage the Birch plywood when removed. A good intermediate vinyl, especially with decent adhesive thickness, will help cover the grain.

 

[bigbuilder]

Hi-tac vinyl typically doesn't have air-release, and at that size you are bound to get some bubbles in it. for 3 days, you could get away without using the hi-tac and use a vinyl with air release. If you print on 54" media, then you shouldn't need any seams, but if do need to, then I would do a 1" overlap.

Hi There,

Thank you very much for the reply.

I am not in control of what they are using. I am just supplying the surface for the installers of the vinyl.

Do you think the vinyl will adhere properly to baltic birch plywood unsealed?
Also I would like to tape all the vertical seams and dont know what type of tape to use to hide all the plywood seams. They are every 4' for hundreds of feet.

 

[bigbuilder]

Not sure who spec'ed high tack. But for an application like this I would use General Formulations Wallmark 226HTR (High Tack Removable) or Oracal 3551 Rapid Air (which is a polymeric intermediate with air channels for bubble free installation). I would not use MacTac High Tack as that might damage the Birch plywood when removed. A good intermediate vinyl, especially with decent adhesive thickness, will help cover the grain.

Hi,

Thank you for the reply. I am not sure on the specifications of the vinyl other then they said high tack. Damaging the plywood is of less concern to me then having a bad looking install when its done. I just need to supply the best substrate I can for the installer.

 

[jimbug72]

Question 1: For that short of a duration, I wouldn't think you would have issues with high tack staying stuck to the unsealed plywood.

As for question 2, I don't have a recommendation but I'm curious if other with broader experience have any suggestions. It's been my experience when laying vinyl over seamed substrates is that anything I do to try to hide the seam only amplifies it, but installing isn't where I shine.

 

[Red Ball]

Print an 8' x ?' banner tack it across the top and bottom. No seam - no adhesion issues.

 

[bigbuilder]

Hi Everyone, Thank you so much for all your replies and help. I feel confident i can install on the untreated plywood.

I would like to ask another question.

The customer has asked if we are able to paint all the baltic birch plywood black? Can the high tack vinyl graphics be applied over a painted surface. If so what is the best type of paint and sheen? I understand that off gassing can cause issues with bubbles in the graphics?

There are some areas that will be seen and it would be much easier to have it black before because we cant paint onsite.

Thanks Again!