Shadeshift vinyl
07-12-2005, 11:48 AM
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Shadeshift vinyl
There is a thread in Giant Aircraft that mentions this vinyl as covering obtained from http://www.beacongraphics.com/avery-shade-shifter.html Has anyone used this as covering? If so how is it done?
07-12-2005, 12:27 PM
#2
RE: Shadeshift vinyl
dirtybird ,
I do commercial vinyl graphics cutting, but I wasn't aware that Avery was carrying vinyl supplies. I did a little investigating and the graduated (Avery is using a fancy name called "Shade Shifter" ) vinyl that they advertise is actually supplied by another graphics supply house ( [link=http://www.beacongraphics.com]Beacon Graphics[/link] ), and they have a huge mark up apparently. It appears that they have about a 200%-250% mark up on their prices, as I can get the graduated vinyl much cheaper than they indicate on their website (plus I can get a much bigger color selection). Their website does not indicate how thick the vinyl is, but I can get graduated vinyl in 2 mil and 3 mil thicknesses. You would want to get a 2 mil vinyl because it is lighter and doesn't add as much weight to you plane.
Now, with that being said, this is applied like any other vinyl. It has an adhesive back to it, and there are several ways that you can apply it. You can peel the back off of it and apply the vinyl directly to your plane. An alternate method, and the one I prefer, is to use Windex to apply the vinyl. You spray windex on your plane, peel the backing off the vinyl, place the graphic, move the graphic to the position you want, then squeegee the windex out from under the vinyl. Use a paper towel to remove all the liquid and let the graphic sit for 12-24 hours to ensure it is dry. I prefer this method because it allows you to reposition the graphic and make sure it is exactly where you want it before it is permanently set. If you just peel the backing and apply it is going to stay where you put it, and if you try to lift the graphic it will more than likely take your covering with it.
As for the vinyl itself. The graduated vinyl that I can get has a 5-year life on it, which means it should resist fading from the sun for 5-years. When applying vinyl to an airplane there are a few things that you want to be aware of. The oil in our exhaust does not agree with vinyl graphics. If you are going to place a vinyl graphic in an area that is going to be exposed to exhaust you will want to seal it somehow. You can use clear monokote (or ultrakote) to seal the graphic, or I have had good luck using lustercoat clear coat spray to seal the graphics. This seems to need re-applied after some time, but does a good job of sealing the graphic from exhaust oil. I haven't tried any other clear coats, but any that are fuel proof for glow fuel should do the trick.
This vinyl can be cut with an x-acto knife to any shape you want, or you can take the vinyl to a sign shop (or someone that does do cutting of vinyl graphics) and have them cut it for you. They can do just about anything you want, but they will more than likely charge your for the graphics design and cutting your vinyl.
If you have any other questions concerning vinyl cutting as it applies to our hobby, please feel free to PM me about it.
Hope this helps
Ken
I do commercial vinyl graphics cutting, but I wasn't aware that Avery was carrying vinyl supplies. I did a little investigating and the graduated (Avery is using a fancy name called "Shade Shifter" ) vinyl that they advertise is actually supplied by another graphics supply house ( [link=http://www.beacongraphics.com]Beacon Graphics[/link] ), and they have a huge mark up apparently. It appears that they have about a 200%-250% mark up on their prices, as I can get the graduated vinyl much cheaper than they indicate on their website (plus I can get a much bigger color selection). Their website does not indicate how thick the vinyl is, but I can get graduated vinyl in 2 mil and 3 mil thicknesses. You would want to get a 2 mil vinyl because it is lighter and doesn't add as much weight to you plane.
Now, with that being said, this is applied like any other vinyl. It has an adhesive back to it, and there are several ways that you can apply it. You can peel the back off of it and apply the vinyl directly to your plane. An alternate method, and the one I prefer, is to use Windex to apply the vinyl. You spray windex on your plane, peel the backing off the vinyl, place the graphic, move the graphic to the position you want, then squeegee the windex out from under the vinyl. Use a paper towel to remove all the liquid and let the graphic sit for 12-24 hours to ensure it is dry. I prefer this method because it allows you to reposition the graphic and make sure it is exactly where you want it before it is permanently set. If you just peel the backing and apply it is going to stay where you put it, and if you try to lift the graphic it will more than likely take your covering with it.
As for the vinyl itself. The graduated vinyl that I can get has a 5-year life on it, which means it should resist fading from the sun for 5-years. When applying vinyl to an airplane there are a few things that you want to be aware of. The oil in our exhaust does not agree with vinyl graphics. If you are going to place a vinyl graphic in an area that is going to be exposed to exhaust you will want to seal it somehow. You can use clear monokote (or ultrakote) to seal the graphic, or I have had good luck using lustercoat clear coat spray to seal the graphics. This seems to need re-applied after some time, but does a good job of sealing the graphic from exhaust oil. I haven't tried any other clear coats, but any that are fuel proof for glow fuel should do the trick.
This vinyl can be cut with an x-acto knife to any shape you want, or you can take the vinyl to a sign shop (or someone that does do cutting of vinyl graphics) and have them cut it for you. They can do just about anything you want, but they will more than likely charge your for the graphics design and cutting your vinyl.
If you have any other questions concerning vinyl cutting as it applies to our hobby, please feel free to PM me about it.
Hope this helps
Ken
