APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONSReflexite® VC104+ Curtain Grade HA can be applied to trucks and trailers with new curtains.
TOOLS REQUIRED
- Clean cloths.
- Craft knife.
- Squeegee covered with a clean cloth to avoid scratching the material.
- Cleaner: Isopropyl alcohol.
- Hot Air Gun Travelling Rig or High Frequency Welding Equipment.
APPLICATION TEMPERATURE To ensure proper adhesion between the tape and the cleaned curtain, bonding materials must be applied when both curtain and tape temperature is between 15° C and 38° C. The temperature needs to be consistent for at least one hour after application. NB! It is recommended that Reflexite VC104 Curtain Grade HA is stored at room temperature (23° C).
WHERE TO APPLYIt is recommended to position the tape minimum 15 cm above the buckles.
Use the guidelines provided in Regulation ECE 104 to ensure that the tape is in general positioned correctly on the vehicle.
Step 1: Initial Preparation
The tape should be applied on a flat surface, and lightly tensioned at either end ensuring that the curtain surface is flat. It is recommended that the curtain is not over-tensioned during application.
Step 2. Surface Cleaning
The purpose of cleaning the curtain is to remove any dirt or contamination. It is very important that the surface must be free of dust and grease, and ideally the surface should be smooth. Use a clean cloth with isopropyl alcohol to wipe the surface in one direction only to avoid spreading contamination. With a dry clean cloth wipe away the cleaner before evaporation. Repeat this process until the surface is clean, i.e. when there is no visual dirt or contamination transfer onto the cloth. Ensure the surface is dry and the isopropyl alcohol has completely evaporated before commencing application.
Step 3. Alignment
A pencil line can be used if a straight line guide is required.
Step 4. Application
See sections A and B for machine set up guidelines for Hot Air Gun equipment and High Frequency Welding equipment respectively.
A.Hot Air Application InstructionsAlways adhere to manufacturer’s operating and safety instructions when using Hot Air Application equipment. Reflexite recommends the Hot Air Gun Travelling Rig as the preferred method of application method for Reflexit®e VC104+ Curtain Grade HA, and Reflexite does not recommend the use of handheld hot air guns for application of Reflexite® VC104+ Curtain Grade HA.
Position the Reflexite® VC104+ Curtain Grade HA in the Hot Air Gun Travelling Rig, as per manufacturers instructions, ensuring the adhesive side is in contact with the curtain. Heat the Hot Air Gun for one minute, before introducing the heat to the exposed adhesive. On a spare piece of curtain ensure the gun setup of temperature and speed is giving the desired adhesion to the surface. Test the strength of the bond after it has cooled down (approximately 5 minutes), and alter machine parameters if necessary to achieve a permanent bond. It is the applicator’s responsibility to ensure the correct parameters are set to achieve a permanent bond between the tape and the curtain.
Guide Line Parameters The width of the nozzle on the hot air gun should be greater than or equal to the width of the material being applied. The heat nozzle should be set up so that the hot air is blown towards the curtain material and the adhesive side of the tape. The typical temperature range, running speed, and distance of heat nozzle from material will vary from machine to machine, but the following can be used as guide line parameters:
- typical heat of hot air may range from 100° C to 160° C,
- typical running speed may range from 2-4 meters per minute,
- a roller can apply pressure if the rig or set up has one,
Distance of nozzle can vary from 5mm to 30mm.
Position the Hot Air Gun Travelling Rig 20mm from the edge of the curtain at the recommended hight and commence application down the length of the curtain using the previously set parameters.
After sealing the length of tape onto the curtain, the clear polyester carrier film can be removed. When the sealing process is finished, care should be taken when rolling the curtain to ensure that no sharp folds or bends are present.
NB! All corners of the tape should be rounded using a pair of scissors or sharp blade. It is recommended that this is done before the tape is applied to the curtain.
B.High Frequency Welding Application InstructionsAlways adhere to manufacturer’s operating and safety instructions when using High Frequency Welding equipment. Position the Reflexite® VC104+ HA tape over the area to be sealed reflective side up and adhesive side contacting the curtain and cut to length leaving 20mm at either end. Fix the ends of the tape to the curtain by taping in place temporarily using a piece of masking tape.
On a spare piece of curtain ensure the machine parameter setup is giving the desired weld strength to ensure a permanent bend . Test the strength of the weld, and alter machine parameters if necessary to achieve a permanent bond. It is the applicator’s responsibility to ensure the correct parameters are set to achieve a permanent bond between the tape and the curtain.
Guide line parametersAvoid using high levels of HF power at the initial welding stage. Where possible (if the sealing machine has the capability) use pre-programmed welding stages increasing in:
- HF power applied,
- welding time,
- pressure applied.
During the sealing process, small flashes / arcs can appear in the tape itself, but these do not interfere with the process. Do not hold or touch the tape at any time during the HF application process, as current from the sealing machine will be transmitted along the metallized layer in the product construction. The actual welding set-up will vary from machine to machine. The tooling used will also vary from set-up to set-up, but it should ideally be of brass or aluminium, and the width of the tool should match the width of the tape.
Move the head of the HF unit along the length of the tape and start to weld. When welding use an overlap of up to 5mm at each index join until the length of tape is fully sealed.
After sealing the length of tape onto the curtain the clear polyester carrier film is to be removed. When the sealing process is finished care should be taken when rolling the curtain to ensure that no sharp folds or bends are present.
NB! All corners of the tape should be rounded using a pair of scissors or sharp blade. It is recommended that this is done before the tape is applied to the curtain.
Step 5. Bonding Time
The bond is at full strength immediately, however care should be taken when rolling the curtain to ensure no sharp folds or bends are present. The curtain should be folded in such a way, that the tape is on the outside and not folded in.
CARE INSTRUCTIONSMANUAL WASHING:Reflexite® VC104+ Curtain Grade HA can be washed manually by brush, cloth or sponge using water, soap or detergent followed by a clean water rinse.
POWER WASHING:Automatic truck / car wash or standard high-pressure hand spray:
- maximum pressure – 1200 PSI / 80 bar,
- maximum water / wash solution 60° C,
- 40° nozzle cone opening size should be used,
- cleaning wand or jets to be at no greater angle than 45 degrees from perpendicular to the marking surface,
- Hold the cleaning jet a minimum of 60cm away from the material,
- when using cleaners, follow manufacturer’s recommendations for dilution. Thoroughly rinse after soaking vehicle.
IMPORTANT NOTICEAll Reflexite products are subject to careful quality control throughout the manufacturing process and are warranted to be of merchantable quality and free from manufacturing defects.
Published information concerning Reflexite® products is based upon research which the Company believes to be reliable although such information does not constitute a warranty.
Because of the variety of uses of Reflexite® products and the continuing development of new applications, the purchaser should carefully consider the suitability and performance of the product for each intended use, and the purchaser shall assume all risks regarding such use.
All specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
