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![]() Special Tools for Rough Surface Stadium Wraps
By Jennifer LeClaire
Not just any vinyl application tools will do when it comes to wrapping stadiums. Find out what tools you need in your box to make your stadium jobs a success.
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Many stadiums, arenas, restaurants and retail spaces have hundreds of square feet of potential display space that has historically been unusable because it consists of rough textured surfaces such as concrete block, brick, tile, poured concrete or stucco. New film from 3M opens the door to new opportunities, and new tools help you apply it. Indeed, 3M’s new 3M Scotchcal Graphic Film for Textured Surfaces 8624 with 3M Scotchcal Luster Overlaminate 8524 can open up all that unused but valuable real estate in stadiums and venues with similar surfaces. 3M’s patent-pending conformable graphic solution can be molded to rough surfaces to create crisp, digitally-printed images that inform, promote or generate revenue. In addition to adding visual interest to most textured surfaces, the film permits unlimited images sizes and shapes. “We’ve installed thousands of square feet of this vinyl and my mouth still drops open every time I see it go on,” says Gary Lucke, owner of FastSigns in St. Petersburg, Fla. “I wish they had come out with this sooner. It makes stadium wraps so much easier.”
Adheres to almost anything Lucke’s first experience with the film was during a project for a large wall mural. He was charged with covering a concrete wall on Titan Stadium with a 42-foot tall by 42-foot wide mural of quarterback Vince Young. Lucke printed it on 8624 and laminated it. He said lamination is the key. “Most vinyl itself isn’t the most amazing thing. The 8624 prints a lot like Controltac. But what’s amazing is the thermal setting laminate you marry with it,” Lucke says. “Have you ever seen plastic melt over something, and when it cools it just stays there? That’s the theory behind this laminate.” According to 3M, graphics created with films 8624 and overlaminate 8524 are easy to clean and can be produced in a wide-variety of image options from block color to full photographic reproduction. "This revolutionary new solution enables stadium, arena, retail and restaurant management to maximize display and promotional opportunities with consistent, eye-popping images without the limitations associated with paint. Wherever there is a rough wall or surface, there is an opportunity," says Tim Boxeth, 3M product marketing supervisor.
A closer look at the 8264 series Films IJ8624 and 8624 ES are durable, high performance cast films with excellent imaging capability, 3M reports. To ensure that these films meet your specific needs, 3M recommends that graphic manufacturers test this film for satisfactory printing, cutting, adhesion and removal characteristics for the intended end uses. Expected Performance Life
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Key Factors That Influence Performance Life
Special stadium wrapping application tools Lucke is testing a new 3M product; a twin handle foam roller. It’s metal and it holds your heat gun for you as you roll the vinyl. It heats it up to about 1200 degrees while you install the graphics. You’ll also need tools to do a test before applying the vinyl. 3M testing shows that the following test, which uses a small piece of film, is adequate for judging good adhesion to and appearance on textured surfaces. One of the following applicator tools will be needed for this test.
Piezo Inkjet Printing Only
Electrostatic Printing Only Stay tuned for additional articles that will help you wrap stadiums successfully.
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