All You Need to Know About Application and Removal Accessories
If you need professional accessories and tools for applying reflective films then look no further. Here you can find a great variety of brand tools and aids from 3MTM or Orafol®. Therefore, you can rely on product functionality and performance when ordering with us.
Our application and removal accessories at a glance
Surface cleaners
Self-adhesive or magnetic films – mainly used for vehicle markings or conspicuity tape – can only adhere to the intended surface if it is absolutely clean. Therefore, a powerful surface cleaner is essential. We have various surface preparation products in our shop, e. g. the 3MTM Surface Preparation System or the Orafol® Graffiti Remover. In order to avoid any damages to the surface, e. g. the lacquer of your car, we recommend to use professional agents only. The soft microfibre cloth soaks up any water or detergent residues and is gentle to the surface.
Squeegees
As a basic rule, you can never have enough squeegees! Especially for car wrapping or installing reflective markings to a vehicle they are vital: With a squeegee you can remove all trapped air between the lacquer and the film and enhance adhesion. There are felt squeegees, that are very gently to the surface avoiding any scratches, and plastic squeegees, that facilitate more precise applications.
The 3MTM rubber hand roller helps to increase pressure when laminating reflective films to metal sheets, e. g. for the production of traffic signs. The handle is shaped for better comfort.
Bonding Products and Primers
Not all reflective products come with an adhesive back, some reflectors or tapes need bonding tape or primers in order to stick to the intended surface strongly. For example, the bendable LDS reflector panels for road and crash barriers need VHB tape (very high bonding) for the installation on metal or concrete. The application of road marking tape usually requires primers that facilitate the bonding between the tape adhesive and the road surface.
Removal accessories
If you would like to replace or just remove an old vehicle marking or other reflective tapes from any surface, the 3MTM Scotch-BriteTM Molding Adhesive and Stripe Removal Disc is for you. You can attach it to portable tools or slow-speed grinders (MOS < 4000 RPM) and gently rub off the self-adhesive film residues.
Edge sealing tapes
Some multi-layer vinyl films require edge sealing tape for the application (e. g. the 3MTM Engineer Grade Prismatic Reflective Sheeting Series 3430 or 3930). When cut, the film’s inner structure is exposed on the cut edges, so water can enter into the film or the edge areas may get detached from the substrate over time. The transparent tape literally seal the cut edges and increase the adhesion on the film margins.
In order to know if you need edge sealing tape for your retro-reflective tape, please refer to its datasheet and/or the article text in our shop.