I am Chris Duke, and this is Truckblog.TV.
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Now, we have got project truck blog lifted and it is time to show it off at the upcoming truck GM plus and this seem to show. Today on Truckblog.TV, we are going to show you how to create and install vehicle graphics.
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Using plotting software, I opened the old work art previously created using vector-based software. The plotter software allowed me to specify quite a bit including the number of vehicles I want to make and the amount of space between each detail. After I positioned and sized the artwork, I feed my plotter a sheet of vinyl and then I send the artwork off to the plotter so it can cut the detail. Our 24-inch plotter uses a precision razor blade mounted in a pivoting head so that it can move in all directions as the plotter moves to vinyl back and forth, left and right. To score the vinyl, the plotter has had applied slight pressure to the vinyl in order for the razor blade to cut the vinyl, but not the paperbacking.
To separate the detail from a larger roll of vinyl, I used a scotch paper cutter. After the plotter has scored the vinyl, it is time to remove the excess material that we do not want from the paper. I used a weeding tool, which is basically a thick pin to lift off the vinyl I want removed.
Now I apply a sheet of transfer paper to the top of the vinyl. This is what you use when you apply the detail to your vehicle. Next, using a plastic squeegee, I adhered the transfer paper to the vinyl and removed any air bubbles that might still be trapped. Finally, I used the scotch paper cutter to trim off the excess transfer paper.
The tools you need to get the job done can be purchased from your local sign shop rather inexpensively. They include a plastic squeegee, a pair of scissors or a scotch paper cutter like I use, a weeding tool and a Xacto knife and a roller transfer tape.
Making your own details is not expensive, but it does require a lot of time, patience and labor.
Now, the first thing you need to do is make sure your truck is real clean. Spray out some detail spray on microfiber cloth and put in some amount of grease.
Now we will determine the size and cut our vehicle graphic. It is time to hold it up with the truck to check for fitment, making node of door handles and door jams and you might need a buddy for this part.
Now thanks to Jason’s help we have got our graphic positioned on the truck. We got a plenty of clearance here for the G. We got a door cut that is going through here to break up the G just a little bit. We got a door handle here so I can cut off the top of the B, not going to be a big deal. Another cut line through here for the door jam and here we have a got handle that is going to cut off the top of the U a little bit, not a big deal again. And then with the T, we will cut off just a little bit of the top and at the bottom of T has got a wrap around off the fender. Using some masking tape, you want to create a hinge at the top of each letter using two pieces of tapes. Now we are going to use this scotch blade tool here, which has a razor blade inside and protect the piece here so you do not scratch the truck and when you cut each letter, just like this.
To apply each letter, we are going to use some application fluid and a squeegee, both available from your local sign shop. Using this handy part of our masking tape, we are to lift each letter, peel off the backing. We are to spray some application fluid on the truck. Slowly lay down the graphic. Using your squeegee, you are to get that application fluid out of there starting from the center pressing out as much as you can.
It has been about 15 minutes. We are going to go ahead and start removing the application tape from our T. We are going to use a squeegee with the Teflon sleeve on it to work out any remaining bubbles, the Teflon sleeve. I will just going to make sure that we do not scratch that vinyl. I have got a little bit of overhanging on the top, the bottom of out T, so the top here, I want to do over the trimming with our Xacto knife blade. Just b
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