No wet application for Reflective vinyl...why?

[threeputt]

Does anyone know what the manufacturers objection to wet application is for Reflective vinyl?

We have a job for (10) 60"x120" Reflective signs (on PolyMetal) and I'm trying to figure out how we will "sheet" it? ie: put a large chunk of vinyl down without wet application.

 

[Marlene]

regular vinyl can breathe. reflective because of how it is made can't breathe. that is what I've heard is the reason

 

[Tony McD]

can you do it with a laminator?

 

[threeputt]

can you do it with a laminator?

My laminator is only 54" wide.

 

[SightLine]

Also the trapped moisture can cause corrosion of the aluminum particles...... its not very attractive if it happens.

 

[rdm01]

Mount the first part of the sheet. Place a full roll of 60" media on the mounted part, and use it to lay down the rest, rolling it across the substrate as you peel back the release liner.

I did this once before we had a large laminator and it worked well.

 

[Pat Whatley]

Did a fleet of vans with wet mounted reflective 5' x 5' decals. Never had a problem.

 

[FatCat]

Did a fleet of vans with wet mounted reflective 5' x 5' decals. Never had a problem.

Yup, we've been doing vans for a plumbing company for over 5 years and have wet applied their blue and red reflective stripes with no issues thus far - using Oracal 5600 series.

 

[Mosh]

I have applied 3M reflective et a few times, never had a failure yet.

 

[Billct2]

Pretty sure all the manufacturers don't recommend wet installs with reflective and we do them dry-most of the time. For when we have to use juice we use Rapid Tac 2, they claim it won't cause any problems and we haven't had any-yet.

 

[TheSnowman]

Is there a big squeegee that big? If you have a solid table to lay it with, and a guy on each side of the squeegee laying it down, I'd think you could pull it off with one of those.

 

[Phil Swanson]

I have done several jobs with wet application, mainly because I have done outlines and shadowing and didnt know any way of alinging everything perfectly without wetting.
So far no problems that I know of.

 

[HulkSmash]

If the manufacture recommends no wet install there's a reason.

As mentioned above it can rust the vinyl. Also it kills the integrity of the adhesive in it.

You won't see too much of a problem on flat, but anything contoured you could see some issues.

 

[SignosaurusRex]

WHY?... Reflective film has a metallic (Aluminum) layer in it that prohibits the "breathing" capabilities, thus not allowing moisture to properly escape when material is applied wet. If a "wet" application is required... (example) such as on a dark vehicle surface in a hot/ sunny climate when the surface cannot be moved to a cooler condition, the amount of "wetting" solution used should be kept to a minimum and every attempt to remove as much liquid as possible should be employed in the use of a squeegee. Wet applications will void any warranty of the product itself. The wet solution used and it's PH balance may also greatly affect or react with the aluminum layer itself and create a corrosion and breakdown of the material. Adhesive qualities may also be greatly compromised. (This is according to my conversation with a 3M technical services rep.)
HOW?... There is a way that it can be done with two people, a simple "J" roller and 3" core tube. We used to employ the method a number of years ago when I worked for the County Roads division Sign Shop. The description is a bit lengthy to go into detail here, but I believe you can grasp the concept. If not, I believe you know how to contact me for assistance.

 

[phototec]

Many folks have informed you as to why NOT apply wet, because the wet application will react with the aluminum reflective particles, also I always follow the manufactures recommendations, they know more about their products than I do.

The Big Squeegee works great to apply large graphics like you have, however I would contact Dale at Big Squeegee http://www.bigsqueegee.com/ to see if he could make you a custom Big Squeegee 62" wide.

Check out the video of Doug Allan applying a 4x8 print with the Big Squeegee.


[video=youtube;6RtNWHe9ojg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RtNWHe9ojg[/video]

 

[phototec]

Hey, I just found a video of someone using the 64" Big Squeegee laminating tool to apply large rolls of vinyl, so maybe it will work for your project?

[video=youtube;QS62p46f2ag]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS62p46f2ag[/video]

 

[rjssigns]

Big Squeegee with a handle. I could see doing all my panels with that.