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Wrap for corrugated livestock trailer creates unique challenges
By Steve Aust
Gold Medal Ranch enlisted FlipSide Graphics (Wausau, WI) to outfit a trailer, which hauls professional bullrider Fred Boettcher’s competition “transport,” with a full wrap. FlipSide has been a longtime supplier for Gold Medal, but this was the first wrap the shop has executed for one of its hauling trailer, FlipSide’s Russ Voigt said.
“They provided me with a vector template of the trailer, which included dimensions,” he said. “I took measure-ments to make sure they were accurate. We considered using 3M’s Controltac IJ181, which is designed especially for stainless-steel applications, but, with the corrugations, we decided [3M IJ180c-10] air-release media would be best for the job.”
The client provided a logo from a previous job, which FlipSide had also created, and updated Gold Medal’s trailer-sales logo. To create the toro en fuego (bull in flames), Voigt tweaked a JPEG the client furnished and made the bull’s and flame’s proportions match the trailer’s dimensions.
To begin the wrap application, FlipSide’s installers cleaned the surface with Xylol, a slow-evaporating solvent, and used a propane torch to burn away residual oils. They completed prep with a 70% isopropyl-alcohol wipedown.
The shop produced the wrap on 3M Controltac with Comply media, which it printed on a Mimaki JV33-160 SP solvent-ink printer. 3M’s 8519 luster-finish overlaminate prepares the trailer for the long ride. To install the wrap over the numerous corrugations, Voigt and Alicia Mehre used felt squeegees and 3M’s V-Cat deep-channel film applicators.
“The corrugated sides weren’t too difficult,” Voigt said. “The biggest challenge was installing individual panels so the seams aligned across the surface.”
According to Voigt, bull rides weren’t part of FlipSide’s compensation for the job.
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