Self Adhesive vinyl and 3m sprays

[ex_directory]

Hi, my whole cab will be covered in self-adhesive vinyl. When I attach this to primed mdf I get a good stick but slight bubbling when going around 90 deg corners (probably because the vinyl doesn't really want to go around corners!

Was thinking about using a spray on the edges (3m spraymount as 3m super 77 is not so easy to find in the uk).

Was worried that with 77 you would need to be fast to get it stuck down before it dries. Spraymount gives you more time but is probably not as tacky.

Anyone any other suggestions?

Ex

[waveryder]

Id use "Display Mount" easy to get hold of in the uk and gently warm the vinyl till it smoothes out.

[stan2323]

May want to glue one side and let it dry before going around the corner.  Then that side would stay down.

[MaximRecoil]

Why do you have to go around corners? Aren't you using T-molding for the edges?

Keep in mind that some people cover their cabinet with HPL (high pressure laminate) which will not go around corners at all (it is too rigid); and they have no problems.

[Fozzy The Bear]

Anyone any other suggestions?

Yes! Use T-molding on the edges.... but if you still need the glue then get "Scotch Weld Craft Mount, Permanent Adhesive"  It's exactly the same formula as the 3M 77 but has a finer spray nozel on it and will work really well for this application. See attached image. It's available in the UK from most art shops that stock this sort of stuff.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[waveryder]

They sell it at staples and hobbycraft. Not as strong as display mount though.

[Fozzy The Bear]

They sell it at staples and hobbycraft. Not as strong as display mount though.

According to the technical spec published by 3M it's stronger than "Display Mount" which is designed for holding up photographs and pictures... This stuff holds up wood and foils and heavyweight card. I use it all the time I've glued plywood panels together with it in the past, after 5 years they still haven't come apart,

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[waveryder]

Wow better check that stuff out then. We use at school all the time I thought it was the strongest stuff in 3m's range. I'd better have another word with their rep I think!

[somunny]

I prefer laminate so I normally use a brush on contact cement.  Have you checked out this spray-on contact cement from 3M?  Using a contact adhesive should should give you a longer working time.

3M Contact 80

[ex_directory]

Wow, I wasn't gone that long was I - so many replies!! Thank you all!

Stan2323 - good tip, might do that, not like the vinyl adhesive is going to dry out.

MaximRecoil, yes I am using t-molding, but want to around the corner on the sides and under the t-molding if you see what I mean. Also, I am using vinyl for all the front and back panels too, so for them thought it would finish better if I go around to the back of the wood panel, will give a nice clean edge up against the sides rather than trying to cut there.

Wavryder, I tried warming the vinyl last night as even after priming and sanding when the vinyl goes on it is not perfectly smooth, if the iron was too hot it stuck to the vinyl, if it was cooler it scratched the vinyl. I tried a tea cloth in between and that didn't seem to do anything. Maybe I need a bed sheet or something less thick?

Fozzy, I have just sourced craft mount at my local art shop - thanks for that, will give it a try instead of surfacemount.

I am still testing pieces without the laminate on top, i.e. just test pieces of printed vinyl, so my issue will only get worse when it is laminated, i.e. to try and go around the corner. I may try scoring it somehow.

Ex