5 replies to this topic

[TopCatCustom]

Hi all,

Not really sure what section this should be in, I'm hoping one of the graphics guys will be able to help, I need to get some graphics cut from a single colour vinyl to stick on exhaust back boxes, I wouldn't have thought it was possible but I seem to remember people like Maniflow supply boxes with stickers on, so I was wondering if standard vinyl is up to the job of hanging on to a hot exhaust box, or if there is some super dooper vinyl that is required?

Also people put graphics on brake calipers which get beyond boiling hot so something must be do-able!

Any help appreciated

[charie t]

its got a foil backing on maniflow systems, so its not vinyl

Edited by charie t, 27 April 2012 - 08:19 AM.

[roofless]

there isn't a particular vinyl suitable for what your doing....or at least one that can be bought in small volumes and cut like traditional sign vinyl.
usually you would screen print onto it with specialised heat proof inks, and cut to shape.

Some metallic films can resist heat fairly well....but the glue on the back doesn't.... and its quite an expensive base material to buy.

but there is a water slide graphic process that is pretty good .....the waterslide decals have to be heated to 220 degrees to get them to bond to the product....so in loose terms, the hotter the better. These waterslides can be printed onto with an eco-solvent machine like mine here at the unit.

costs wise...its done as an A4 page...so you could get a bunch of stuff on there..... £13.00 per A4 sheet.

hope that helps.

[TopCatCustom]

Roofless thats great info thanks, and with the foil backed stickers I had guessed that the glue will give up before the actual graphic.

How would you actually heat the waterslide decals up to 220°C to get them to bond?

I've got an infra-red thermometer thing here so I will try and measure the temp of a hot can too as it would help!

[roofless]

on traditional products that the water slide decals are used with you'd literally pop them in the oven.......if the exhaust can be brought up to temp, and stay at temp for 20 minutes it might work....

[HafMan]

A material I use at work is designed to adhere and not warp at a stupid tempature, the customer uses them to tag up just welded and shaped steel.