Micro Prismatic Metallized Reflective Tape Wholesale Manufacturer

4 Steps To Apply Your Reflective Tape

To ensure durability, strong adhesion, and effectiveness, it is important that reflective tape is properly applied to your vehicle, equipment, or property. The proper application also helps ensure that your warranty is valid. There are four steps to using reflective tape:

Step 1 – Check the Weather

For optimum adhesion and durability, the KWVINYL reflective tape should be used at temperatures between 50° and 100°F (10° and 38°C). If the temperature is above 100°F, take care to avoid pre-adhesion. If the temperature is below 50°F, use a portable heater or heat lamp to heat the application surface and store the mark in a holding tank to keep it above 50°F.

Step 2 – Get The Right Tool

Here are the tools you will need to use with reflective tape.

• Scissors or a utility knife with a sharp blade for cutting
• Scraper or roller for applying pressure to reflective tape surfaces.
• Riveting tools, such as the Osborne Curved Punch #149, if you want to make cuts on the rivets. You can also cut around the rivet.

Step 3 – Prepare the Surface. Clean and Prepare the Surface for Tape

For proper adhesion, clean any surface to which you are applying the reflective tape.

• Clean the surface with detergent and water to remove dust and road film.
• Rinse the cleaned area with clean water to remove the detergent. The soap film will inhibit adhesion.
• Wipe with a lint-free paper towel moistened with a non-oily, quick-drying solvent such as isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or 3M Prep Solvent 70.
• Immediately dry the surface with a clean, dry, lint-free paper towel before the solvent completely evaporates, paying close attention to rivets, seams, and door hinge areas.

Step 4 – Apply reflective tape

Remove the liner and place the reflective tape on the application surface.

• Gently press down on the reflective tape to hold it in position.
• Use your hands to press the reflective tape onto the application surface.
• Use a squeegee (or another applicator) to press the reflective tape down with firm, overlapping strokes.
• If there are hinges, latches, or other hardware, cut the tape approximately “⅛” to avoid bending it.
• Use firm pressure to attach the reflective tape to the rivet when attaching it to the rivet. Leave a bridge over the rivet head. Use a rivet punch to cut the tape around the rivet. Remove the tape from the head of the rivet. Scrape around the rivet with a squeegee.

3 Steps To Remove The Old Reflective Tape

Reflective tape is stronger and more durable than regular vinyl tape. Reflective tape is designed for heavy-duty outdoor use. This tape can be used on bicycles, motorcycles, helmets, cars, RVs, boats, skateboards, and clothing. When light from a vehicle or other source hits the reflective tape, it reflects light and helps make the rider or item more visible in the dark. KWVINYL reflective tape is easy to remove. Follow these simple steps to remove the reflective tape from your vehicle, equipment, or property.

Step 1 – Find the Right Tool

Here are the tools needed to remove the old reflective tape.

• Single-edged blade
• A tool with a handle to hold razor blades
• Safety glasses
• Solvent resistant protective gloves
• Absorbent paper towel
• Hairdryer
• Recommended solvents such as isopropyl alcohol, citrus cleaner, brake cleaner, or paint remover (for unpainted bare metal).
• Removal of reflective tape

Step 2 – Remove the Reflective Tape

To remove the old reflective tape.

• Turn on the hairdryer. Aim the dryer at the area where the reflective tape is applied. The heat will expand and loosen the tape, which makes it easier for you to remove it.
• Use a tool fitted with a new single-edged blade to lift the edge of the marker. Change the blade often, as a sharp blade gives the best results.
• While keeping the edge of the razor close to the surface of the substrate, begin moving the razor in small left and right motions in the direction of removal.
• Pull the loose marker out of the substrate with minimal tension at an angle of about 45 degrees while moving the razorback and forth.
• If the marker comes off the substrate, continue to repeat steps 1 through 4 above.

Step 3 – Removing the Reflective Tape Adhesive

To remove adhesive. Wet a rag with warm water and wipe the area. The adhesive should come right off. Rinse the rag and repeat the process until all adhesive is removed. If any adhesive remains, reapply vegetable oil or Goo Gone and let sit for one to three hours.

• Spray the solvent onto the adhesive residue.
• Allow the solvent to soak into the adhesive for three to five minutes.
• Use a sharp razor blade to scrape off the adhesive on a tool with a handle.
• Wipe the residue from the razor blade onto a paper towel.

It may be necessary to repeat steps one through four several times to remove all of the adhesives. All adhesive residue must be removed prior to reapplying markings. The substrate must be cleaned with alcohol and one towel cleaned and the other towel wiped off the residue prior to reapplying the markings.