Rob reviews media that conform to complex surfaces.
By Rob Ivers
Last month, Rob discussed the proper application of films designed for rough, textured surfaces.
When talking tough about vinyl, I’m referring to challenging shapes, primarily vehicles’ channels and indentations, or trailer and bus corrugations. Failures are so common: Dodge Sprinter vans are a common culprit, and even the smaller indentations on Fords and Chevrolets can prove challenging.
Honestly, I’m surprised clients still allow us to wrap them. Why do these shapes fail? Several key reasons include overstretching, using the wrong material, inexperienced installers and adhesive weakened by solvent-ink retention.
Tough customers
Improved tools, equipment and materials have created more opportunities for many vinyl-graphic providers. But, I think it’s necessary to debunk a few myths.
Myth #1: A good installer should be able to wrap any vehicle (or other surface, for that matter) with no seams, make it look perfect, and have it last without any lifting.
-->Can a bowling ball (imagine no holes were drilled) be wrapped with one piece of vinyl, with no seams, wrinkles or flaws? Of course not! I’ve never heard anyone disagree.
Vinyl has limits. The client who wanted the 10-ft.-diameter golf ball wrapped notwithstanding, most clients accept these limits. I believe our job as professional installers is to determine, through practice and experience, what exceeds sensible limits, and turn those jobs down … for our sake, and our customers’.
When I say “wrong” material, I mean a material not intended for a given application. I formerly said shops should never use calendared films for vehicle wraps. Today, MACtac offers a fine, vehicle-wrap material, JT5529 BFD. When printed and cured properly, and laminated with MACtac’s LF3648 Rayzor, a 1.5-mil, optically clear, cast laminate, it performs like a quality cast media.
However, not all calendared materials are intended for wraps. But, neither are all cast films. Choose products designed for wraps and complex curves. Test them. Evaluate their performance, print quality, and installation properties to determine what’s best for you, your staff and your clients. Be warned: The best option may not be the least expensive.
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