VEHICLE LIVERY Feature The art of window tinting
.....Continued from page 45 Tom uses a metal blade for this purpose, similar to that signmakers use for cleaning shop windows before applying vinyl, except this one is more flexible because car windows are rarely flat and they scratch easily. Finally the inside of the windows are clean to Tom’s exacting
standards and he’s ready to start with the film. First it’s placed adhesive side up with the release liner still attached on the outside of a wet window and cut to size a little larger than the desired shape. Tom sprays anti-static polish to the inside of the window to keep the cut film in place which is then laid over the rear window with the adhesive side facing outwards and with the release liner still attached. At no point will the adhesive side be touched once the liner is removed. Tom uses a little talc over the film to prevent it grabbing
onto the glass, marks an H-shape with a squeegee to anchor the middle horizontally and edges vertically. Using a heat gun, he heats the film until it starts to physically change and ripple when a squeegee is used to shape it to the outside of the window.
Toms demonstrating his attention to detail.
He explains that this is the really tricky part and can take a while but it’s important to be patient until the film’s ready. As soon as Tom’s happy with the film he picks it up,
removes the liner, and sprays it with water and washing up liquid mix before applying the film to the prepared inside of the window. The water is forced out using a squeegee and wrinkles are smoothed out with the help of a heat gun. It sounds simple but it’s obvious from watching Tom work that it’s a technique he’s perfected over many years. Any flaw such as the smallest of particles is pushed out using a hard squeegee and a lot of force. This method works because the film doesn’t stretch and is incredibly strong, properties that sign vinyls just don’t have. The result is a beautifully smooth film applied to a window
Perfectionist Tom finishing one of the windows.
that almost looks as if the window is tinted, rather than it being a tinted film. Tom uses the same meticulous process to apply film to the four side rear windows, giving the car a whole new look. So, how does Tom think applying window films compare to vehicle wrapping? “After I completted an intensive wrapping course I wrapped
various motorsport vehicles, motorcycle tanks and pannels, helmets, etc, but can’t see from a skill point of view where the challenge is in wrappping, not to mention what I would consider only a fairly average profit margin by the time the material and ink costs are deducted. It seems to be more short term and improvised than window tinting,” says Tom. “When I started on window films it took a while to get to grips with it all but since then I have never looked back; I think if it was easy everyone would be doing it along with their wraps. As well as experience, you need lots of patience and attention to detail to do a top quality job with window films. Because of the similarities between signwritting and window tinting, people within the sign industry who are hands on with any type of vinyl seem to have an aptitude for this type of skill.” For info and available spaces on this year’s forth coming
advanced training week call Joanne at Fleet Auto Shades on 01252 624060. Details of 3M’s range of automotive films can be found at
Heating the film helps achieve a perfect result. 48 Sign Update ISSUE 130 JULY/AUGUST 2011
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_EU/AutoFilms/Home/Prod ucts/ProductSelector/AutomotiveRange/
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