How the right squeegee enhances installations.
By Rob Ivers
Rob Ivers owns Rob Ivers Inc. (Raymore, MO), a vehicle-graphics company. He’s installed vinyl since 1978 and taught vinyl-graphics installation since 1993.
Squeegees, which sell in many types and colors, usually comprise plastic, nylon, Teflon® or felt. How important are squeegees? Extremely. For most graphic installations, the squeegee is the only item betweem the installer and the vinyl.
A squeegee carries a twofold purpose -- to apply enough pressure to adhere vinyl and expel all the air. As discussed in last month’s column, the installer must firmly control squeegee pressure. A squeegee with damaged edges can’t push out all the trapped air; any nicks or imperfections will leave air behind and cause bubbles. Don’t use any squeegee unless the edge is smooth and perfect. Read on to learn more about various squeegee materials and performance characteristics. As always, the right tool for the job plays a tremendous role with an installation’s success.
A squeegee primer
Most squeegees measure an identical size and shape. For flat-surface installations, the the edge’s condition is more important than the squeegee type. However, riveted, curved or corrugated surfaces may dictate a more discriminating choice. A squeegee’s flexibility and ease of movement across such surfaces as premask, vinyl or laminate determine its usefulness. Color certainly doesn’t affect performance, but may identify the type -- for example, silver or gold identifies nylon.
Plastic squeegees, the least-expensive, most common variety, are available in many colors. Typically, these softer squeegees offer more flexibility, but their edges damage more readily. They possess a low coefficient of friction, which allows them to slide well over vinyl and laminates with minimal scratching. However, they wear out quickly. Average per-unit cost: $1.50.
Nylon squeegees provide less flexibility than their plastic counterparts. They last longer and offer rigidity, but use a higher coefficient of friction. Thus, they don’t move well over vinyl and laminates and often cause more scratching. Average per-unit cost: $3.50.
Teflon® squeegees are generally white or red. Extremely rigid, they have a very low coefficient of friction, which allows them to slide over vinyl and laminate more easily than plastic. Their edges also offer greater durability than nylon. Average per-unit cost: $1.90.
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