Cast Vinyll Installation

[mameighan]

So up to this point I have most used either cut calendered vinyl or been printing on digital calendered media and recently on air egress calendered media.

Doing a little more vehicle graphics (not wraps - maybe some partials but mostly cut lettering and basic graphics) and therefore will be wanting to use cast vinyls.

I know there is lots of good info on signs101 on printing on digital cast materials and installation but is there anything I should know about installation of basic cut vinyl from colored cast material. I know the material is thinner than calendered for the most part and I have often had issues weeding and applying application tape to the thinner materials.

On installation - wet? dry? - easy ways to reduce bubbles etc.
Any information would be appreciated

Looking at oracal vinyls such as 751

Thanks

Mark

 

[MikePro]

measure twice.
cut/apply once.

 

[reQ]

measure 10 times.
cut/apply once.

Edited

 

[AF]

Just do some practice runs with the cast film to adapt your existing technique. A Big Squeegee will help with the transfer tape application.

 

[WB]

measure, measure, measure... tape measure doesn't lie..

 

[ol'phart]

If your going to use cast vinyl and you should if you're going to take care of your clients then use 3M material. Why not use the best. The difference in cost on a $1,000 install might be $30.00-$40.00. You'll sleep better.

 

[shoresigns]

use 3M material. Why not use the best.

To clarify, that's the advice you might get if you ask one person. If you ask everyone, you'll find that there's no consensus about one brand being the best. It seems to be more about the personal preference of the installer. Some installers prefer 3M, some prefer Oracal, some prefer Avery. Hexis and Arlon are not quite as popular but they seem to be reliable as well.

Get sample rolls and test them out to see what you prefer for installation.

 

[TimToad]

We typically use Oracal 751 as our cut vinyl material for all manner of uses. The color range is good, weeding is great and given the typical life span of a commercial/industrial vehicle, its more than sufficient to hold up until the vehicle is sold, wrecked or retired.

There is a 24" Weber Tape Tool here and it takes most of the guesswork out of premasking.

 

[mameighan]

Thanks for all the advice