Trailers Made Of Metal Panels

[Fox Stamp Sign & Apparel]

I'm wrapping a food truck that is made of 4 metal panels that overlap. There are no bolts or rivets on the outside. Would you bridge over where the metal overlaps, or should I slice down that line? Also, the first and the last panels are 25" while the center two are 48". Would you leave any over lap in the vinyl, or just make my vinyl prints the size of the metal panels? Never done this style of trailer before. Thanks!

 

[unclebun]

Print and apply vinyl as normal, without respect to where the panel joints of the aluminum are. Then cut the vinyl along the edge of the aluminum panels and push the lower piece down.

 

[signheremd]

You must run a knife down where the aluminum panels overlap and not bridge as it will spilt and raise. We size our print panels about an inch larger (or an inch on both sides if we have it) so the finished product has no seams. Since we set the panels up in Flexi, we can put two smaller panels side by side to print and it doesn't use more material. So if you can print just over 50" it won't take more material and will be a better job.

 

[signheremd]

One last thought, if you decide to keep seams, make sure you lay the vinyl starting in the back and then the front so your seam edges are to the rear - wind and rain won't affect them when driving down the road.

 

[BlueRoseAuto]

id apply them by panels on the trailer. use a one inch overlap and then cut the overlap away then repeat. use the inch overlap for lineup on the previous panel, then cut it away after instal. and have a seamless trailer.