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When you guys stick cut vinyl letters over flat truck sides with rivets, do you puncture the vinyl and heat and burnish the rivets before or after removing the app tape? What are your favorite tools for this process?
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6713 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I always did it after removing the transfer tape. I'd poke a couple of holes where the air is trapped heat it and beat it in with a 3M rivet brush.
posted
Similar to Brent, I'd work the vinyl down as much as possible before removing the transfer mask. With the masking still on, I'd prick 3 or 4 holes around the rivit. Keep working the vinyl down further. Then remove the masking. But then I'd use an old, cheap, soft plastic squeegie that was cut in half to "swivel" over the vinyl and around the rivit.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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We just finished this trailer - rivets are every 2" vertically. The Rivet Sealer 3000 works great! We used Air Release media and pierced through the premask.
There is a piercing tool that has 4 fine needles, and a Teflon insert that fits on the heat gun to create heat and pressure giving new memory to the vinyl over rivets. Takes seconds, just like the video. The tool is presenty on sale for $169.00 Canadian (available at Express Sign Products).
-------------------- Lori Wilcox Tabby Ink Hinton, Alberta Canada Ph 780-865-4305 Posts: 306 | From: Hinton, Alberta, Canada | Registered: Aug 2007
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Lori, that is a very impressive way to do it. I'd need lots more rivets to justify that expense and sure don't want to start seeking them out. So does this tool require an air source and electricity also? That would limit it to being an in-shop tool?
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6713 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Rick, no air source, just electricity for the heat gun. I would pay twice as much for this tool just because it takes so much less time and effort over a rivet brush. Yes, we don't seek out rivets either but they always manage to find us!
-------------------- Lori Wilcox Tabby Ink Hinton, Alberta Canada Ph 780-865-4305 Posts: 306 | From: Hinton, Alberta, Canada | Registered: Aug 2007
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I use felt squeegee to apply the graphics, and while the mask on, work all of the air towards the rivet with out forcing the air.
Avoid over stretching the vinyl, the adhesive will separate from the vinyl. Next I puncture 1-2 small holes at the bottom of the rivet at the 6 o'clock position and follow up with the felt again. If the air releases great, if not try just a little more with a plastic squeegee, just to get it closer.
Now remove transfer mask, and if needed gently apply heat to get any final bubbles or as a final heat-set.
Again,,,,avoid over heating vinyl so the adhesives don't separate
Good Luck
-------------------- Ron Percell Percell Signs 707-769-0639 Petaluma, California
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I'm with Donna - I've never seen such a clean application. We all hate rivets, but they're a common enemy and it appears Lori has the ultimate weapon. I gotta get one of those....
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Well Thanks guys! Yup, we hate rivets too, but with the right vinyl and the right tool, it's pretty easy. The decal was 14 feet wide and took approx. 10 man hours to install. I don't know if that's fast or slow - one of my girls stops working when she talks (which is a lot!)
-------------------- Lori Wilcox Tabby Ink Hinton, Alberta Canada Ph 780-865-4305 Posts: 306 | From: Hinton, Alberta, Canada | Registered: Aug 2007
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I also have the RollePro, doesn't hold a candle to the Rivet Sealer 3000. The RollePro video looks impressive, but in real life isn't nearly as quick or easy. We found it to wrinkle vertically in between the rivets. Just my opinion!
-------------------- Lori Wilcox Tabby Ink Hinton, Alberta Canada Ph 780-865-4305 Posts: 306 | From: Hinton, Alberta, Canada | Registered: Aug 2007
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i like to give it a right cross!!..get er done
-------------------- Aaron Haynes Aaron's Signs & Windows Napa Ca aa4signs@sbcglobal.net ------------ Important Rule For Life: "Look out for number one... Don't step in number two" ------------ If your never the lead dog on the sled...the scenery never changes. Posts: 241 | From: Napa Ca. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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