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Has anyone had some custom vinyl cut?
I want to create some masks for spraying a frame, so I need something I can apply accurately (hence presumably needs to come on application paper) and low-tack for peeling off without residue, but not so low tack that it lifts off tubing (seatstays etc being quite a tight radius).
I can create designs in Illustrator, I just don't have a vinyl cutter. (Maybe buying a cheap one is a better option, but I assume cheap ones are crud.)
Has anyone used someone that they would recommend for this? (And what sort of prices did you pay? I've got no idea how much this would cost.)
Or if there's a source of abstract patterns in suitable vinyl then I may be able to make use of those… haven't found anything that ticks the boxes yet, though.
I've used JMJ Designs (on facebook) to make custom vinyl, I expect he can help out. Design and printing of a few sheets of vinyl cost me £25 or so.
If you're using vinyl it's worth checking that the paint you're using isn't solvent based. If it is it'll cause the vinyl to lift and curl.
To honest if it's not on there for long a decent 5yr vinyl such as Avery or metamark would peel off reasonably easily with heat applied from a hot air gun.
But I'd second speaking to jmj and as they paint bikes for a living and use what they use.
Go speak to your local sign makers.
If you’re using vinyl it’s worth checking that the paint you’re using isn’t solvent based. If it is it’ll cause the vinyl to lift and curl.
It's Spray.Bike. Certainly smells lovely and solventy 🙂 It was fine with some vinyl decals I got off eBay, but they were a little sticky and left a slight residue. Didn't really work with some cheap 8mm dots that I also bought, but I think they lifted off my 1" test pipe because they're just too stiff to wrap round a tube of that diameter given their small size. It makes more sense to use a mask which has circular holes, both from the point of view of lifting and achieving a regular pattern.
Just looked up JMJ's website, though. Might drop them a line.
Most vinyl suppliers sell some sort of paint mask vinyl, so any local sign shop should be able to get hold of some for you.
Yeah, getting sheets of vinyl is easy, the question is really about getting it cut to my design. I've had a couple of offers of help via private message though, so I may be sorted 🙂
Why not use the proper solvent proof spray mask, I offer it as an alternative mask for people wanting to re-paint cranks?
If you can supply the vector files you are looking at minimal cost, if you need designs drawing up, a little more
This is where Airdrop Bikes buy all their vinyl: https://www.mdpsupplies.co.uk/
I bought some from here and it was decent quality stuff.