I need to cut and apply some mirror chrome vinyl to a semi tractor and I am looking for suggestions as to a quality product. I have some I purchased some time ago, there is no identification on it, and my problem with this particular material is that it scratches too easily, even if you lightly rub a finger across it. Would there be a brand that stands up well to the abuse an over-the-road truck will give, and you you suggest an edge seal?
Thanks, Curt
Posted by Devin Fahie (Member # 3961) on :
I would use Gerber/3M Brand. Little more expensive, but I think its holds up better.
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
i wouldn't use it on a truck.. sorry
Posted by Pete Sharkins (Member # 4525) on :
I go through lots of chrome. I've tried many brands, and have found no clear winners or losers between them. Never have used an edge seal. All will scratch with fingerprints. Don't consider using it on compound curves or less than a perfectly smooth/clean surface. I usually use it as an outline only, since chrome by itself can't be read on most colors. It adds a nice "animation" to the lettering. I've never had a complaint after application due to the scratching, as it usually can't be seen from normal viewing distance.
Maybe consider the brushed chrome as sold by Avery or AccuCut or others. Makes a cool effect, and is already "pre-scratched"...
[ August 29, 2004, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Pete Sharkins ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
at the local track here its not allowed....messess with the timimg mechanisum. i got a roll...and i use it for small things only....you need to talk the client outa usein it...or it will come back to haunt you.
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
Check your chart that you receive that have all the colors on it from the vinyl companies. The mirrored look on mine say, "Not recommended for exterior use" or they are only for 1 or 2 years use. That should tell the story. Our experience is they don't hold up.
Posted by Paul Luszcz (Member # 4042) on :
Coburn (available from Ameriban and others) calls their chrome "the only Outdoor Durable Five Year Mirror Chrome".
I've used it without complaint, but I haven't seen it personally to verify it.
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
I would be very Leary of any Coburn Products as of now. I did my truck with their Engine Turn Gold and it it is all ready blistering in less then a year.
Posted by Pete Sharkins (Member # 4525) on :
Aaaah, yes, i'll second the Coburn disappointment. I did a 4'x4' "Overall Brite" (looks like a CD) Jetski decal on an Expedition, and it lifted within a day (both on the glass and paint). Coburn offered no help or compensation...
I'd consider all Coburn stuff very cool, but very temporary.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Curt, You raised a really good question.
I don't know what it is about that stuff that truckers LOVE so much. Mabey they like gettin' out of the rig and takin' one last look at theirselves before entering the diner . . . .
I know it looks cool and all, but I go to great lengths to try to turn them off to it 'til it's almost comical how hard I'm tryin' to talk them out of it and how steadfast they are to have it...it's the same song with the florescents too... "Oh,we REALLY want our sign to SHOW-UP"
"Yeh lady, but only for 3 months???"
Anyway, ....that chrome . . . . . .I'm trying to think of an invention that will produce warrantied-limited-lifetime-hand-dipped-genuine-chrome lettering for truckers...
[ August 30, 2004, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Sheila Ferrell ]
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
LOL,
I just had a trucker leave our shop with some 'self stick' mylar he is going to install over his windshield. I told him the same think about it not lasting very long. He got it anyway.
Posted by Curt Stenz (Member # 82) on :
This guy insists... I ordered some 3M.
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
Over here 3M have a product 7755-420 that is chrome vinyl that has an outdoor life of 5 years, Oracal also do one, we also have Coburns mirror vinyl which I believe was bought by www.rtape.com which is supposed to be good for 5 ýears, but that was just smooth silver, smooth gold and brushed ally or maybe thats all thats available over here? Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
As with the others here, due to the insistence of a trucker, I installed the older 1 year chrome on a logging truck. That was 3 years ago. I am still amazed that it looks like it did when I installed it. I see the truck at least once a month. I used One Shot clear on it and edge sealed it.
About 6 months ago I installed some Coburn 5 year chrome. I've been air brushing in a light fade of Auto Air transparent paint. It helps it from looking pure chrome. Holding up well so far. Of course this stuff had OS clear too.
I'm keeping a close eye on this one because of the track record of the Coburn films.
[ August 31, 2004, 09:50 AM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
If you bother to clear over the chrome it does last much longer, obviously if it has a protective layer it's not gonna get scratched up.
I have some chrome on my tailgate. The bottom layer is just regular chrome, it's an outline. The top layer is the same chrome material except I applied a clear resin dome over the whole thing (a 4"x36" set of lettering) then sprayed it with a Kandy (transparent) blue paint.
The domed/candied chrome looks sweet, 'cept for the resin yellowing which isnt all that noticeable since it's been painted anyway. The exposed chrome outline isn't scratched at all, but it is starting to flake off. It's been on there about 6 months but for the record, the lettering is applied over grey primer, not a smooth painted surface. Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Well DUH!! I never considered clearin' over the chrome vinyl!! I will have to offer that as an option next time . . . . . . but I fear some of the rather red-neck truckers, with the chew-brown stains lining the corners of their mouths and their big greasy hands that pull the filthy lucre from their ragged overalls will not want to invest the required funds on such an expense that they may consider so silly. . . . .
"Ah ain't werried about haw lawng it's gon' last!! HELL!! Ah'm gon' sale it en 3 yarrs an' Ahm takin' t' tha woodz as soon as yew git dun enyway!! Ah jus' wont that chrome stuff 'cuz it looks SO GUD don't it!!"
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
I know that it is a tough job cutting it....but....the chrome mylar sheets, that silk screeners use...holds up very well. It doesn't scratch as easily as chrome vinyl.
[ September 01, 2004, 02:51 PM: Message edited by: Si Allen ]
Posted by Raymond Quick (Member # 2649) on :
I know they make a gold that can be plotter cut, I think they make a silver also but I can not think of the company.
Posted by Mark Yearwood (Member # 2723) on :
We just tried a new one from Oracal that they claim is a 7 year high-performance cast chrome. (381 Ultramirror Cast film) It is more flexible like regular vinyl, cuts much better and is very tough to scratch.
I had to finally call Oracal direct and have them call a distributor to get it. Nobody had a clue that it was out yet. Their website has some info on it. web page I put some on a truck, so we'll see how it holds up. It does seem much better than any chrome I've ever used, although I don't use it that often.
[ September 20, 2004, 06:36 PM: Message edited by: Mark Yearwood ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Don't forget, you can always laminate an identical shape of cast clear vinyl over the top of the Coburn or other brand chromes to give it better protection. Charge a little more.
Posted by Curt Stenz (Member # 82) on :
As I posted above, I ordered some 3M and installed it . It did scratch way too easily, I had to re-cut and apply some letters.
But the customer loves it. He said one time he was going down the highway, the sun was just right and he could read his name as it reflected down on the road at speed.
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)