el_timbo86
11-27-2009, 09:33 PM
Hey guys,
With more and more projects surfacing everyday, i thought i'd put together a write-up on my method of adhesive vinyl application.
I hope this helps some people out, as this part of pincab/mame cab construction terrifies some people.
Today i block mounted some poster prints, so i will use this as my example. The technique can be applied to pin/mame cabs though.
For this method, you will need-
** A pair of helping hands
** A DRY tea towel or dish cloth
** PATIENCE
** Did i mention PATIENCE!!
** A pair of scissors
** A knife blade/razor blade
***STEP 1***
Ok, first thing you should do is brush off and remove any dust from the area of application. This will provide a MUCH better surface for the vinyl to adhere too.
The next thing you should do, is test fit your sticker (KEEP THE BACKING PAPER ON). Line up the corners etc, and make sure you have suitable overhang on each edge. If you fall too short on one side, of course it will be obvious, so get it right, and take your time.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application005.jpg
***STEP 2***
Once your are 110% confident your sticker is the right size, and is lined up PERFECTLY, EXACTLY where you want it; get your helping hands to keep the sticker square to your application. I reccomend getting the person to press down firmly at the OPPOSITE end of where you are working, as you will need a little flexibility for the next step. As long as the sticker remains in the perfect spot, thats the main thing. Onto step three ----->>
***STEP 3***
With your extra pair of hands pressing firmly against the sticker, lift your end up and peel back about 2 inches of the backing paper, letting the vinyl fall back onto itself (see image). Use your scissors to cut off 1 inch of the backing paper (see image).
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application007.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application008.jpg
***STEP 4***
Grab your Tea towel/Dish cloth. (**please note**I am right handed, so if you are left handed you may have to swap the following information around to suit what feels comfortable). In order for the cloth to be effective, use two fingers to form almost like a glove from the cloth/towel.
With the cloth in your right hand, pick up the exposed vinyl sticker from the middle with your left hand, and lightly drop it down onto your intended application. Using your cloth, in very small, slow movements - wipe to the right, and to the left, pressing down firmly, whilst not being overly forcefull.
This is probably the trickiest part of the process, as everything after the initial 2 inches of vinyl is MUCH easier to apply.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application009.jpg
***STEP 5***
With the first couple of inches down, and perfectly square, your extra hands can let themselves free for the time being. You now need them to lift up the vinyl from the end that still has the backing so you can pull back some more backing paper to continue the application (see image).
Pull back another 2 inches, and let it curl under itself (see image).
Just like you did initially, you need to SLOWLY and carefully, wipe your towel from left to right, almost pushing slightly forwards to 'force' any air bubbles out. As your near the end of the exposed vinyl, pull some more backing paper off, exposing some more adhesive. Wipe from left to right - and repeat the process. Your helping hands should help you pull the backing paper evenly, from both sides (see image).
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application009.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application010.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application012.jpg
***STEP 6***
You should keep reviewing your prgress to make sure everything has remained square. If you stop every now and then, you may be able to get your helping hands to slightly 'guide' the sticker back to square. Its a little like "measure twice, cut once". You really need to be 110% confident you have everything square from the get-go.
***STEP 7***
After a while, everything will be finished, and the backing paper will drop away at the opposite end to which you started. If you have taken your time, im sure you will be very happy with the results (see image). Check for any bubbles by getting the light to reflect off it (see image).
Trim the edges of your vinyl with the razor blade. You may find that if you have predominantly black artwork, the vinyl edge will show up quite white. Simply use a paint pen like a posca marker (see image) to run along the edge to mask any unwanted colour.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application013.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application015.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application018.jpg
***STEP 8***
Theres not really much of a step 8, just make sure you clean everything up to keep the girlfriend/wife happy, and make sure to post any questions, feedback or comments here. Ill try and make any changes, and updates available as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading guys, and i hope this has helped you in some way with your project.
The finished article...
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application020.jpg
el_timbo86
With more and more projects surfacing everyday, i thought i'd put together a write-up on my method of adhesive vinyl application.
I hope this helps some people out, as this part of pincab/mame cab construction terrifies some people.
Today i block mounted some poster prints, so i will use this as my example. The technique can be applied to pin/mame cabs though.
For this method, you will need-
** A pair of helping hands
** A DRY tea towel or dish cloth
** PATIENCE
** Did i mention PATIENCE!!
** A pair of scissors
** A knife blade/razor blade
***STEP 1***
Ok, first thing you should do is brush off and remove any dust from the area of application. This will provide a MUCH better surface for the vinyl to adhere too.
The next thing you should do, is test fit your sticker (KEEP THE BACKING PAPER ON). Line up the corners etc, and make sure you have suitable overhang on each edge. If you fall too short on one side, of course it will be obvious, so get it right, and take your time.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application005.jpg
***STEP 2***
Once your are 110% confident your sticker is the right size, and is lined up PERFECTLY, EXACTLY where you want it; get your helping hands to keep the sticker square to your application. I reccomend getting the person to press down firmly at the OPPOSITE end of where you are working, as you will need a little flexibility for the next step. As long as the sticker remains in the perfect spot, thats the main thing. Onto step three ----->>
***STEP 3***
With your extra pair of hands pressing firmly against the sticker, lift your end up and peel back about 2 inches of the backing paper, letting the vinyl fall back onto itself (see image). Use your scissors to cut off 1 inch of the backing paper (see image).
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application007.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application008.jpg
***STEP 4***
Grab your Tea towel/Dish cloth. (**please note**I am right handed, so if you are left handed you may have to swap the following information around to suit what feels comfortable). In order for the cloth to be effective, use two fingers to form almost like a glove from the cloth/towel.
With the cloth in your right hand, pick up the exposed vinyl sticker from the middle with your left hand, and lightly drop it down onto your intended application. Using your cloth, in very small, slow movements - wipe to the right, and to the left, pressing down firmly, whilst not being overly forcefull.
This is probably the trickiest part of the process, as everything after the initial 2 inches of vinyl is MUCH easier to apply.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application009.jpg
***STEP 5***
With the first couple of inches down, and perfectly square, your extra hands can let themselves free for the time being. You now need them to lift up the vinyl from the end that still has the backing so you can pull back some more backing paper to continue the application (see image).
Pull back another 2 inches, and let it curl under itself (see image).
Just like you did initially, you need to SLOWLY and carefully, wipe your towel from left to right, almost pushing slightly forwards to 'force' any air bubbles out. As your near the end of the exposed vinyl, pull some more backing paper off, exposing some more adhesive. Wipe from left to right - and repeat the process. Your helping hands should help you pull the backing paper evenly, from both sides (see image).
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application009.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application010.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application012.jpg
***STEP 6***
You should keep reviewing your prgress to make sure everything has remained square. If you stop every now and then, you may be able to get your helping hands to slightly 'guide' the sticker back to square. Its a little like "measure twice, cut once". You really need to be 110% confident you have everything square from the get-go.
***STEP 7***
After a while, everything will be finished, and the backing paper will drop away at the opposite end to which you started. If you have taken your time, im sure you will be very happy with the results (see image). Check for any bubbles by getting the light to reflect off it (see image).
Trim the edges of your vinyl with the razor blade. You may find that if you have predominantly black artwork, the vinyl edge will show up quite white. Simply use a paint pen like a posca marker (see image) to run along the edge to mask any unwanted colour.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application013.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application015.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application018.jpg
***STEP 8***
Theres not really much of a step 8, just make sure you clean everything up to keep the girlfriend/wife happy, and make sure to post any questions, feedback or comments here. Ill try and make any changes, and updates available as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading guys, and i hope this has helped you in some way with your project.
The finished article...
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/el_timbo86/Application020.jpg
el_timbo86