T D Homa

Good Morning Everyone,

I am a long time T-shirt enthusiast that is looking into possibly buying a vinyl plotter for two purposes:

1) To start doing T-Shirts for both my T-Shirt Design hobby
2) For products and customization of cars for my co-owners and my own car for the computer business I own.

I have a relatively new car a 2008, that I bought back in October of last year and am thinking of applying some type of Vinyl on either that of both the sides (door panels) and possible the rear window. My questions is I realize that there will be some fading when I apply the vinyl to the doors and if I were to remove it then I should be aware of it but how much of a difference will there be? Will it be significant as I would see the difference straight away or is it more of a slight distinction?

Also, if I apply it to the rear window of the car what are the drawbacks to that? Is it legal to block part of the rear window with Vinyl as I would image there is still some visibilty that can be obtained if I were to get a bubbly mirror for each side mirror? Should I instead try to contact one of my local sign shops and see if they have a color printer plotter to do the see through signs or do you know of anyone on the forums that does them?

Any and all help is appreciated,

~ Tim

 

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donsignguy

the best place to put vinyl is the back window, just dont cover the whole thing and you wont have problems, someone driving behind you WILL see it.... remember the reason to advertise is to say what you do and how to get in contact with you, if there is to much to read others wont have time to read it all and remember how to contact you. something on the side of the auto is for when you are parked if you only park at the office parking lot and home then don't wast the money putting something on the sides, if how ever you are out a lot and the auto is parked allover the place then use all the advertising space you can, YES even after a week there will be noticeable outline of the vinyl when you take it off, a professional company can buff the auto so you will not see the offending discoloration and old vinyl is a bi--h to get off.... in the sign biz for 10 years and sell a lot of magnetics and i try to talk every one of them in to putting it directly on the auto instead of magnetics, it tells the potential customer that you are serious about your business.

 

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ino

After a period of time there is no way to stop the fading, the sunnier your summers are the worst it will get.
BTW with the types of paints being used in todays cars, you don,t need any decal for the paint to start peeling off.

 

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MotoskinGraphix

Really depends on the car company and the paint involved. Multi stage paints with basecoat clearcoat dont fade so much. I have seen some lime green VW bugs come in with the clear vinyl bras and were completely discolored. The problem really isnt on verticle surfaces as much as horizontal surfaces. Yes...getting old vinyl off is a pain but it can be done and the door panels should be fine.

__________________
David
www.motoskingraphix.com
"WHIRLPOOLS WHIRL and DRAGNETS DRAG"

 

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T D Homa

Thanks Everyone for your replies,

They are all very helpful, also what on average is a good price for a back window decal. Do they make (I think I just answered my own question) custom full color back window decals. So I can look through from the inside but from the outside its my decal.

I've seen them in auto places and magazines with all different flags, eagles, and tribal designs but I haven't seen any that are custom made. Also, what is the cost for one of those printer/plotters is it just cheaper to go to a sign designer?

Any and all help is appreciated,

Thanks,

~ Tim

 

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gerry

your talking about digital prints on a perforated vinyl..you can cover your whole window and be able to see through it. I believe it needs an optically clear laminate on top to protect the print. some will say you do and some say you dont..but I would.
If your established as a sign shop you could shop around for wholesale prices.
Vinyl over years will leave a ghost image on the paint..which may not be good for resale.
Also when i do back windows i will mention about scraping ice off it. Weve had customers coming back in the spring telling us our material has failed...And i can see clearly that someone scraped it with an ice remover...so beware, I wont guarantee back windows..unless it is obviously my fault.

 

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