Tip
#51

How to Install on Rivets - The Poke/Lance Method (#51)

Rivet Brush Method

  1. Remove release liner and drape the whole panel on the surface.
    Rivet Brush Method Step 1
     
  2. With a medium-hardness squeegee, firmly apply the film over the rivets and flat areas. The squeegee must pass over the rivets with firm pressure as if the rivets weren’t there.
    Rivet Brush Method Step 2
  3. Continue squeegeeing the film over the rivets until the whole panel has been installed.
    Rivet Brush Method Step 3
     
  4. To release the air trapped between the rivets and film, use a poking tool to create pinholes over the tented film. 
    1. Needle Point Wheel
      Needle Point Wheel   Using a Needle Point Wheel
       
    2. Retractable Air Release Tool
      Retractable Air Release Tool   Using a Retractable Air Release Tool
       
    3. Multi-Pin Air Release Tool
      Multi-Pin Air Release Tool   Using a Multi-Pin Air Release Tool
       
    4. Without heat, reduce the tenting (or halo) with a rivet brush spiraling inward on each rivet.
      Rivet Brush Spiral Pattern

       

      The set of rivets on the left have less tenting than the set on the right. 

      Finished and Tented Rivets
       
    5. For a “painted on” appearance, each rivet has to be applied three times increasing the heat in each pass. For the first pass, apply a “kiss” of heat on a rivet. 
      Rivet Brush Method Step 6

      TIP: Do not overheat the film. The film will be too soft and the rivet brush could catch the film and form wrinkles during application.
       
    6. Apply firm pressure with a rivet brush in a circular motion. Repeat steps 6 and 7 increasing the amount of heat per rivet in each pass until all rivets are applied.
      Rivet Brush Method Step 7
       

    Foam Pad Method

    1. Remove release liner and drape the whole panel on the surface.
      Foam Pad Method Step 1
       
    2. With a medium-hardness squeegee, firmly apply the film over the rivets and flat areas. The squeegee must pass over the rivets with firm pressure as if the rivets weren’t there.
      Foam Pad Method Step 2


      TIP: Use the squeegee drag method in the picture above to “close” the rivets in. 

    3. Continue squeegeeing the film over the rivets until the whole panel has been installed.
      Foam Pad Method Step 3
       
    4. To release the air trapped between the rivets and film, use a poking tool to create pinholes over the tented film.
      1. Needle Point Wheel
        Needle Point Wheel
         
      2. Retractable Air Release Tool
        Retractable Air Release Tool
         
      3. Multi-Pin Air Release Tool
        Multi-Pin Air Release Tool
           
    5. Without heat, reduce the tenting around the rivets by using a pad applicator on the rivets.
      Foam Pad Method Step 5a   Foam Pad Method Step 5b
       
    6. Heat a section of film which covers 4-5 rivets. As you apply heat, the film will wrinkle but will flatten out once it reached its optimum temperature.
      Foam Pad Method Step 6
       
    7. Apply firm pressure with the pad applicator and wiggle it in a circular motion. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until all rivets are applied.
      Foam Pad Method Step 6

    Squeegee Method

    1. Remove release liner and drape the whole panel on the surface.
      Squeegee Method Step 1
    2. With a medium-hardness squeegee, firmly apply the film over the rivets and flat areas. The squeegee must pass over the rivets with firm pressure as if the rivets weren’t there.
      Squeegee Method Step 2


      TIP: Use the squeegee drag method in the picture above to “close” the rivets in. 

    3. Continue squeegeeing the film over the rivets until the whole panel has been installed.
      Squeegee Method Step 3
       
    4. To release the air trapped between the rivets and film, use a poking tool to create pinholes over the tented film.
      1. Needle Point Wheel
        Needle Point Wheel
         
      2. Retractable Air Release Tool
        Retractable Air Release Tool
         
      3. Multi-Pin Air Release Tool
        Multi-Pin Air Release Tool
           
    5. Heat a section of film which covers 4-5 rivets. As you apply heat, the film will wrinkle but will flatten out once it reached its optimum temperature (180°F to 240°F).
      Squeegee Method Step 5
       
    6. Apply firm pressure with a hard squeegee (White) and go around the rivet. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until all rivets are applied.
      Squeegee Method Step 6 Squeegee Method Step 6 Squeegee Method Step 6
       

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