Taking Graphics off plexi when cold or hot

[DoubleDown]

We've got a 100 panels of graphics to take off of plexi ice rink panels and the question is whether to use heat to take them off or let them get cold outside first. They've been sitting on there for a year during summer, etc. These are full color, laminated 3x8 graphics.

The ones we've been taking off today, which was a warm day, was leaving tons of residue behind.

Any thoughts or experience?

Thanks,

 

[redline graphics]

BeerLots of beer!!!

 

[S'N'S]

I would have thought it would be harder to remove the graphics cold.

 

[Craig Sjoquist]

lol well ya got 100 panels to find out lol would think heat in some manner would best but hey with a 100 panels

 

[ProWraps]

heat

 

[B Snyder]

Are you applying new 3x8 prints on these panels?

 

[BobM]

Heat, patience, Rapid remove, patience, and plenty of billiable hours.

 

[Billct2]

Time for a cost/benefit anaylsis.

 

[DoubleDown]

yep

Well, I'm with everyone on the heat, we've been doing this for a long time...it's just that plexi seems to be one of the only materials where heat sometimes makes it worse. The other issue is ruining the plexi...we've used adhesive removers before and it's completely fog up/ruined plex (vinyl off) so we're trying to stay clear of that...plus the fact that the laminate is poly...not sure if the rapid remover will sink through the laminate.

And we're billing for the time, because we have to turn around and put new graphics right back on...except this time going to use some lowtack BusArt or something similar.

Love the beer idea...I can just see our crew after all the beer burning the heck out of all the plexi, themselves, the rink, the tents...

Thanks,

 

[Letterbox Mike]

Wouldn't it be easier/cheaper for you or the customer to either use new panels or cover the existing graphics with an opaque white vinyl and then apply your new removable vinyl? Seems like the labor to remove and clean up 100 panels of that size would far exceed starting from scratch.

 

[B Snyder]

I asked if you're applying new prints because I was thinking you could simply apply the new prints over the old ones.

 

[animenick65]

Will these have more plex in front of them? Just an ice rink for skating or hockey as well? Using a low tac vinyl may come back and bite you. These will get beat on and will test your material to the limits.

 

[DoubleDown]

Yeah, we agree it would be much easier just to cover up the old graphics with blockout material then pull all the stuff off.

 

[BobM]

Test the Rapid Remover on the plexi 1st. but it hasn't harmed any lexan or acrylic I've used it on. I'm sure there are chemicals out there that will cloud or harm the plexi but not Rapid Remover in my experiance. Check with Roger (roger@rapidtac.com) before you do anything.