Source needed for graphics vinyl

dennis sexton

New member
Dec 30, 2005
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You might try a commercial sign shop. They use vinyl for a lot of signs and have computer controlled tables which cut out the graphics.

Good luck,
look forward to seeing what you develop.

Dennis
--
Dennis Sexton
73 Glacier, Sky BLue
Germantown, TN

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> You might try a commercial sign shop. They use vinyl for a lot of
> signs and have computer controlled tables which cut out the graphics.

This is how we got those elaborate foot-wide, tri-color Pueblo-style
winged beltline stripes on the Engine of Mischief. I think we paid
about $500 for those stripes. Not bad, considering how intricate they
are. (I pulled the basic design off a photo of a thousand-year-old
Mimbreno pot.) This is a great, cheap solution for custom GMC graphics.

Look for a sign place that's set up to do specialized vinyl for truck
and boat graphics. Not only will they know how to work at your scale;
they also use a vinyl that's heavier weight, extra adhesive, and
built to resist sun, wet, and temperature extremes. This is what you
want -- not the flimsier film they use for signs.

One of the great virtues of the vinyl over paint is that it's
relatively easy for a skilled installer to work it around the GMC's
compound curves. The guy who did ours (while it was parked in Jim
Bounds' lot) used a blow-dryer to melt, shrink, and stretch the vinyl
around the corners. We were really impressed. He also did the
matching logo on the tire cover. The level of detail you can get with
this stuff is amazing for the price.

He told us that the vinyl would be good for 5-7 years, maybe as much
as 10 if we either clear-coated over the vinyl or kept the rig
covered most of the time. We didn't, but we're going into our fourth
year now, and they're just now starting to show some wear. I figure
we've got another 2-3 years before we have to dig up the computer
file and get a new set stuck on. By then, she'll be ready for some
paint touch-up, too.


Sara


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I must have missed the original posting of the question regarding
graphics... but I assume that we are talking about stripes here, not the wild swirls of
contemporary SOB motorhomes, right?

If, indeed, the subject was stripes, then for my money there's only one
way to go: Paint.

When the GMC Motorhomes were being produced at General Motors, obviously
GM had the resources available to have the stripe tape custom cut. This
custom cut factored in the increase in stripe width, as the stripe passes from the
smooth flat sides onto the slanted front end of the coaches. The curve of
the body at this point necessitates a very precise cut of the tape to get the
radius perfectly straight. The cost of tooling up for reproducing those tape
pieces would be prohibitive to all but a few current GMC owners. I was not one
of these chosen few, so I elected to have mine painted back on.

I have never seen a taped repaint look straight as it goes around the
front corner. I have seen several that take a definite jog up or down as they
make the curve. To compound the issue, there are no tape colors available that
match our original stripe colors. Exhaustive research and some trial tape
applications have proven this to me.

My coach has the original colored stripes, at the correct location. This
was accomplished by a professional aircraft painter, using a laser level,
tape for masking and a thoroughly practiced application of his art. No...it was
not inexpensive. But it is in the correct colors, at the correct location and
is in Sherwin Williams Jet Glo metallic paint. Jet-Glo, I'm told, is Sherwin
Williams' version of Imron, which is a duPont trade name. Okay, the stripes
cost me almost two thousand dollars, but they are on there to stay. With
Clear Coat over them and a twice yearly wax job, they will outlast me I'm sure.

That's just how I did it....

Bruce Hannover
Dania Beach, Florida
1978 Palm Beach ( anal retentively restored )

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I would agree 100% to use paint, I use the vinyl for my company logo's
on all of my vehicles, they last about a year, then they need to be
replaced. We use them on the glass only so as not to damage any
paint.

This works out well since I change my vehicle about every six to
twelve months, when it is time to sell, the vinyl peels off very easy
with no marks. I use AG Signs in Montrose California 818-249-0601 ask
for Candy, tell her you are a friend of Kevin Jones and she will take
great care of you and give you my company discount.

By using paint there is less chance of fading, peeling, etc. If you
are into keeping your coach for the long haul, invest a little and do
it right the first time ... even if you have to save a little longer.

Good Luck and happy striping. If you want to see pictures of some of
vinyl email me off forum and I will send them to you.

>
> I must have missed the original posting of the question regarding
> graphics... but I assume that we are talking about stripes here, not the=
wild swirls of
> contemporary SOB motorhomes, right?
>
> If, indeed, the subject was stripes, then for my money there's only on=
e
> way to go: Paint.
>
> When the GMC Motorhomes were being produced at General Motors, obvious=
ly
> GM had the resources available to have the stripe tape custom cut. This
> custom cut factored in the increase in stripe width, as the stripe passes=
from the
> smooth flat sides onto the slanted front end of the coaches. The curve o=
f
> the body at this point necessitates a very precise cut of the tape to get=
the
> radius perfectly straight. The cost of tooling up for reproducing those t=
ape
> pieces would be prohibitive to all but a few current GMC owners. I was no=
t one
> of these chosen few, so I elected to have mine painted back on.
>
> I have never seen a taped repaint look straight as it goes around the
> front corner. I have seen several that take a definite jog up or down as=
they
> make the curve. To compound the issue, there are no tape colors availabl=
e that
> match our original stripe colors. Exhaustive research and some trial tap=
e
> applications have proven this to me.
>
> My coach has the original colored stripes, at the correct location. Th=
is
> was accomplished by a professional aircraft painter, using a laser level=
,
> tape for masking and a thoroughly practiced application of his art. No..=
.it was
> not inexpensive. But it is in the correct colors, at the correct locatio=
n and
> is in Sherwin Williams Jet Glo metallic paint. Jet-Glo, I'm told, is She=
rwin
> Williams' version of Imron, which is a duPont trade name. Okay, the stri=
pes
> cost me almost two thousand dollars, but they are on there to stay. With
> Clear Coat over them and a twice yearly wax job, they will outlast me I'm=
sure.
>
> That's just how I did it....
>
> Bruce Hannover
> Dania Beach, Florida
> 1978 Palm Beach ( anal retentively restored )
>
> ---
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:unsubscribe-gmclist=
net.org
>

--
Kevin Jones
Real Estate & Loans
818-955-7653

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> I like the look of some of the GMCs that have the front and side windows visually connected with black paint. I however would like to try to do it with vinyl Anyone have a source of this stuff?
> Jim Washburne VA 26 foot yellow Glenbrook looking for an updated look
A quick search of eBay found some "vinyl film" up to 30" wide in a host of colors.. Today the graphics thing is pierced body wraps that cover the windows with the graphics but still let you see out. Check out your local buses.

--
Hardie Johnson "Crashj"
1973 26 foot Glacier, White Thing
Enola PA

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----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 10:40 PM
Subject: Re: [gmclist] Source needed for graphics vinyl

>
> I must have missed the original posting of the question regarding
> graphics... but I assume that we are talking about stripes here, not the
wild swirls of
> contemporary SOB motorhomes, right?
>
> If, indeed, the subject was stripes, then for my money there's only
one
> way to go: Paint.
>
> When the GMC Motorhomes were being produced at General Motors,
obviously
> GM had the resources available to have the stripe tape custom cut. This
> custom cut factored in the increase in stripe width, as the stripe passes
from the
> smooth flat sides onto the slanted front end of the coaches. The curve of
> the body at this point necessitates a very precise cut of the tape to get
the
> radius perfectly straight. The cost of tooling up for reproducing those
tape
> pieces would be prohibitive to all but a few current GMC owners. I was not
one
> of these chosen few, so I elected to have mine painted back on.
>
> I have never seen a taped repaint look straight as it goes around the
> front corner. I have seen several that take a definite jog up or down as
they
> make the curve. To compound the issue, there are no tape colors available
that
> match our original stripe colors. Exhaustive research and some trial tape
> applications have proven this to me.
>
> My coach has the original colored stripes, at the correct location.
This
> was accomplished by a professional aircraft painter, using a laser level,
> tape for masking and a thoroughly practiced application of his art.
No...it was
> not inexpensive. But it is in the correct colors, at the correct location
and
> is in Sherwin Williams Jet Glo metallic paint. Jet-Glo, I'm told, is
Sherwin
> Williams' version of Imron, which is a duPont trade name. Okay, the
stripes
> cost me almost two thousand dollars, but they are on there to stay. With
> Clear Coat over them and a twice yearly wax job, they will outlast me I'm
sure.
>
> That's just how I did it....
>
> Bruce Hannover
> Dania Beach, Florida
> 1978 Palm Beach ( anal retentively restored )

Hi Bruce,

For your coach, I agree you made the right choice. There may be a place in
the GMC world for vinyl however. Berry Owen painted his coach white and then
applied vinyl "sob swirls", I think most who have seen the coach would agree
that the "paint job" looks good. I didn't know it wasn't paint until he told
me, at which point I ran my fingers across one of the "ribbons" and could
feel the edge. FWIW my experience with vinyl has been very good. About 15
years ago I painted my service truck, a 14" aluminum step van, I then
carefully applied lettering ranging from 1" to 10" high. I actually bought
the cheaper vinyl, but cleaned the surface with alcohol and applied the
lettering with a hair dryer. I retired the truck a couple of years ago, but
the last time I looked not an edge had lifted on the vinyl, even over
rivets. This still surprises me, and I can only guess the care during
installation may account for it. I am not recommending that anyone use vinyl
graphics on their GMC, I am however presenting information that may open
thought processes for some.

Marsh Wilkes

Rebuilding "Smokey"

455 FOREVER

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Call AG Signs 818-249-0601, talk to Candy, they do all my vinyl
graphics for my company.

Kevin Jones
Real Estate & Loans
818-955-7653

>
>
> Jim,
>
> You might want to try these guys:
>
> http://www.accentstripes.com/index.html
>
> They were on ebay.
>
> Let us all know if you find anything.
>
> thanks
> --
> Bob & Terry Stockholm
> Xenia, OH
> 1976 PB - "Molly" rides on
>
> ---
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:unsubscribe-gmclist=
net.org
>

--
Kevin Jones
Real Estate & Loans
818-955-7653

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I have a custom graphic stripe in the works. I provided a graphic image file to the vinyl printer, and they laid out 8 foot strips on a 58" wide stock. The new paint goes on next Tuesday, weather permitting. After the base coat, we drive it a couple of blocks to the graphics installer and he puts on the custom graphic. Then it goes back to the paint shop for the clear coat. I am hoping this will be a long lasting job. I am really looking forward to the new look. I will upload some pics when they are ready.
--
Regards,

Ken

'76 Eleganza, SWAN2B,
The sports car you can live in
http://explainer.blogs.com/my_weblog/

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