Adhesive for Signs

Our prior adhesive supplier dropped the adhesive we had successfully used for more than two decades. They recommended a place or two I could contact for a replacement. In order or organize my own thoughts, I will lay out how it all breaks down.

I contacted 3M as recommended by the supplier who quit making our adhesive.  I started with a chat conversation. I described our need for something similar: 0.5 mil pet acrylic 60# SCK, information I found from the last invoice we got. Later I saw a spec sheet with this info:

Product consists of a thin polyester film coated on both sides with a high performance acrylic based pressure sensitive adhesive. The product is supplied self-wound on 60# semi-bleached, densified-kraft liner.

Product is typically used for industrial bonding applications where outstanding adhesion, high shear and good solvent resistance are required. The acrylic adhesive offers good clarity and has excellent resistance to U.V. light exposure. The polyester carrier provides excellent dimensional stability and die cutting properties.

I used Chat to discuss our needs, opening with this:

Looking to replace product that has been discontinued. It's roll adhesive, which is .5 mil pet acrylic 60# SCK. We use this to attach half-inch magnetic strips to vinyl (vinyl as is used on a three-ring binder). Signs are attached to vehicles and fully exposed to environment during use. We have to be careful about plasticizer issues.

Plasticizers are a chemical that is added to vinyl to keep it soft and flexible. Plasticizers are attracted by adhesives, so they tend to migrate out of the vinyl and into the adhesive, making the adhesive bond soft and gummy. At room temperature, it can take a couple of months to affect the adhesive. With heat, it happens much faster. 5 days at 150 degrees F will show if the vinyl and adhesive will react.

To test your vinyl with a tape, you can make some sample bonds and put them under a high intensity light for 5-7 days. That will give a good idea of whether or not the two will react. 

A sign on a black door will take a little longer, as it would only be in full sun for part of the day. It would help, though. Laying a sign out on the driveway would be even better. Assuming sun for 12 hours a day, you would probably want to leave it for a couple of weeks.

If the adhesive is starting to get soft, gooey, and loses strength, that's how the signs would eventually get.

We have 9465PC, which is a 5 mil thick transfer tape that is designed for bonding to plasticized vinyls. 

Just so you know, while most plasticizers are a problem, there are a few that aren't, so 9485PC may be a viable option. 

After the chat, 3M sent us two products.

9465
    designed for bonding to plasticized vinyls (see spec sheet notes below)
    same thickness as prior adhesive but has no polyester layer

We didn’t even test it because it was so messy to apply to the substrate.

9485
    for products where plasticizers are not a problem
    only for comparison to 9465

We tested the 3M 9485, and it seems to be working all right. But the Chat description says it is not for applications where plasticizers are a problem. Things got a little confused when the 9465 was a sticky mess to apply, and the 9485, which was sent only for comparison, seemed to hold up well. I got quotes from three suppliers recommended by 3M.

Our current price is for 81,000 feet, which comes on 750 ft rolls:  .038 per foot
$3003.48, plus $100 for slitting the roll to half-inch width.
This comes to $28.74 per roll, including slitting.

Miami/Famis
I think this guy told me $29 per roll. I e-mailed to get a quote in writing, and I have not received a response.

Tampa/Hughes
For 81,000 ft, sold on 60 yd rolls (450):  .118

Miami/Gard
$23.75 per roll
For 81,000 ft, sold on 60 yd rolls (450 rolls):  .132 per ft

This one is now offering two more options, one that is in a price range I might be able to consider. But we are now in a time crunch and would not have time for testing and then sufficient lead time for ordering, shipment, and delivery. I’m pretty sure they don’t know our requirements.

New quotes are:

$13.79 per roll or .077 per ft, compares at $6237 for 81K ft
$8.41 per roll or .047 per ft, compares at $3807 for 81K ft

I have now downloaded the spec sheets, and I am trying to learn enough to understand the products and make a wise decision. I am confused about the specs v the Chat. I think Chat may have mixed up her information. The 9465 sheet says:

Note: The 9465PC does not resist the effects of these particular fillers and plasticizers and is not recommended for use in bonding these materials.

But it is a moot point on the 3M products, because the costs were way above out budget.

We also contacted a non-3M manufacturer. We tested this product, and I have the spec sheet. The rep said it compared well to our prior product, and the adhesive tested very well. But it’s quite scary to commit to the large order. But we are thankful that it seems to be a great product and at a lower cost!

Non-3M Product

For 81,000 feet, which comes on 750 ft rolls:  .028 per foot
$2283.75
This comes to $21.15 per roll, including slitting.

We also reached out to our prior adhesive supplier to see if they might now have a product that will work. I did not think they really would have something to offer. But it has been a year and half, and they did have an adhesive for us to try. After I agreed to try samples, I realized that the time crunch would be a problem here, too. I have the spec sheet for comparison, and they will provide a quote on Monday. This adhesive is a little thicker: 2.4 on each side of liner instead of 2.0.

And we contacted our magnet supplier to see what they had to offer, and they had two items to send us. But, again, now we are up against a time crunch. Spec sheets received.

457 adhesive: .038 per ft, compares at $3078 for 81K ft
FTA adhesive: .052 per ft, compares at $4212 for 81K ft

So I have now looked up some terminology: PET, SCK, and PCK.

Carrier: The piece between the two sections of adhesive. PET means it is a polyester film.

Liner: The paper liner.

60# SCK, the standard, the workhorse for double-coated adhesive products, manages most die-cutting requirements.

72# PCK, can be used for single liner (which I think means single coated), 6 mil

And now I have more homework to do on this tomorrow. I will need to compare several items for the thickness of the adhesive, the carrier, and the liner. Also storage life and other details I don’t really understand. I wonder where I can get help.

Clothes Hanger Replaces Laundry Pole

Three and a half months ago, I set up a pole between two step ladders, to serve as a clothes line—a laundry pole for letting our clothes air dry. A month or so ago, I bought a clothes hanger to use instead. It  has been great! I had actually bought this same item sometime in the past year, in search of a way to hang clothes to dry in the house. But this unit took up too much room in the laundry room. But when I found that hanging things on the porch work well, I replaced the pole between ladders with this clothes hanger.

Yes, of course I should have moved the pole for a better photo, without the stuff in the background.

Restart Weekly Planner

I have decided to start up the weekly planner again, linked at the top of this page. I have been working on weight loss, work projects, home business, style, home organization and decluttering, and more. And if I am to begin my MBA soon, I will need to be on top of my tasks. I like to think that I have some accountability here, though I know my blog is not followed. Still putting it out here seems to help at times.

What to Do

There is much that must be done. So let’s get organized some this evening!

MBA Degree
My application has been submitted. Just waiting for acceptance letter and then communication about how I should get started. Pretty nervous about this. But I believe I can do it. I shall just get help where I need it! I had applied for this last summer, but then go moved through promotions that required my focus to be on work, not on studies.

New Ad, New Prices
We have sat through years of needing to increase our prices. It has to happen by the August issue. We have absorbed multiple postage increases because we don’t know how to manage charging for shipping and handling. But it has to happen within the next two weeks.

Adhesive
While I was off this week, 3M finally reached out to me. So now I can get quotes on the adhesive we had tested. I need to do this before we run out!

Bookkeeping
I do this carelessly. Time to get it all caught up.

Medical 2014
I need to make sure my records are in order and understood. Managed to get the taxes done all right, but I need to make good notes for 2014 and improve my records for 2015.

Dentist
I have not been to the dentist for at least three years. After Valentine messed up my bite and gave up trying to help me, I did not want to go back to him. I have asked around now and then but never took care of getting back to have my teeth taken care of. I have been told I need a couple of crowns, one tooth broke (from the bad bite), and I need cleaning and X rays, to say the least.

Outfitting Me
I benefit from blogging about what I wear. But I have not done so in almost two years.

Selling Online
I can and need to sell some things on Craigslist, eBay, Vegsource, half.com, and Amazon. Books, clothing, tools, miscellaneous.

Decluttering
Besides selling, there is stuff I just need to get out of the house. If I do not manage a garage sale this summer, I must donate it. The mess has got to go. I should not live this way.

Small Vacations
I want to take some one-tank trips or overnight trips. I cannot consider even little trips if I cannot declutter, get my MBA going, take care of business, etc.

Writing My Plans

Here are things gone wrong with my current plan:

Weight
Some pounds have come back on—6 to be exact, and failed to make progress downward since May 9.

Health Issues
A couple of ongoing issues with migraines, dizziness, weakness. Scary.

Sleepy
I have found myself willing to doze on the sofa on the pretense of spending time with Bill. Day after day, evening after evening. Even on a Saturday afternoon or two.

Little Accomplished
I have not set goals, made daily lists, or attempted to move forward in any specific manner. I get inspired on the very short term only, barely maintaining routine tasks.

Blogging
I have avoided blogging here and on my dieting blog.

Depression
I fear it would not take much for me to move in this direction. But I know where my strength comes from. I know to turn my eyes to my Maker. That hope pulls me out of the mire. But I need to get moving higher!

Quiet Time
I have fought this battle for nine years. It is astounding. And it changes on July 1. I have looked at the Word of God only in church, for devotions at work, or to look up a verse. I need to know God. As the world is heading in its sad direction, I need to know the Word to have peace, to be able to share with the lost, and to become more like Christ.

New View at Work

I have some challenges at work, which I do not even want to spell out here. Further, after a conversation with a mentor, I felt like I was advised with so little information from me. In fact, it was just bit offputting. However, I thought it over and found some wonderful, clear steps I have chosen to take.

1. Be confident in the trust that has been placed in me.
2. Delegate even more to graduate assistants.
3. For meetings, bring only a few items for discussion.
4. Think carefully about how many questions to ask, and word them effectively.
5. Take assignments and run with them.
6. Understand the position of those in the upline. The immediate supervisor may not always have the answers and may need to check with his supervisor. Thus, questions may be viewed as intrusive and too detailed. Make it easy for the supervisor to respond later, but do not make it obvious that you know he needs to check.
7. Offer solutions, take care of problems as if I am supposed to do so. Do not doubt my ability to address problems in the correct manner. Do not always ask if the supervisor agrees with the solution you have found.
8. Get a good understanding of the Outlook files I created, and use them more effectively.
9. Sort and organize the I-drive for more effective use.
10. Read the job description again. Find out what the expectations are. Make some notes to see if my tasks line up with the job description.
11. Communicate with supervisor as coworker, while respecting his supervisory role.
12. Communicate ownership of my position, while being coached as needed.

Accomplishments and Taxes

Last weekend, Andrew and Meghan came to see us because of Wade’s wedding. Andrew was in the wedding. So we were delighted to see them. I do always detest our having to clear our living area to be more presentable for their visits. I saw that Andrew checked out the entire house in a sort of nostalgic manner, noting aloud particular things, such as our recently replaced remote back door handle, which also meant the hiding was not hidden from him. Meghan asked about Andrew’s baby clothes and I gave them to her, including an outfit that Bill had worn, this one with the caveat that Joanna’s little boy would also get to wear the outfit. Andrew asked about my record player, which I gave to him. I want to find a new turntable with speakers. The one I gave to Andrew had a cassette player and a CD player, both of which are broken. He also asked for the juicer, and Bill agreed to that for a price of $75. We took them to lunch on Friday and Saturday. (I took of last Friday morning and went to the office around 2:30.) We sat together in church, which was great.

There was much less to move this time, and I have chosen not to bring it all back out. It is much less oppressing with an open space, good for the soul. The goal on clearing out this stuff is to have a garage sale, take things to consignment, eBay sales, Craig’s list, VegSource, and donations. For now, however, the focus is paperwork and taxes.

I am at the annual become-concerned-about-getting-taxes-done moment. I had Good Friday off, and I was able to process a lot of paperwork in a search to make sure I did not have any odd receipts lying about.

• Every item I touched was put in its proper place in a file folder in a crate. 
• Order wrap-ups are up-to-date. 
• Bookkeeping and mileage are recorded almost daily for 2015, and currently up-to-date.
• Medicare papers are being organized in a folder, with a few more to go, found later in the day.
• Mortgage invoices are collected together in a folder, instead of randomly placed in a stack.
• The card table, which is temporarily where the light table stood, is nearly cleared off. No papers on it, just the camera, several pairs of reading glasses and sunglasses the were on the computer desk, some hiding behind the monitor. I do think I will be able to fold up that table today!
• I did two loads of wash and hung everything on the laundry pole. I did not run the dryer at all!
• I am dieting successfully again, with input from a friend who is also dieting. Also, I have new insights about which I have blogged elsewhere. I am keeping the goal in front of me and just moving through all the lies, reasons, justifications, excuses, etc., for not keeping on!

 The weather has been so lovely, which brings additional inspiration! Sunshine, lovely temperatures, fresh air, birds singing, nature greening.

Lots to do, so much it can be daunting. But a little bit at a time is how I can succeed!

Upcoming plans.

• Get going with credit cards.
• Raise business prices.
• Have a garage sale.
• Take things to consignment.
• List items online to sell.
• Maintain order in paperwork and bookkeeping.

And right now, get those taxes done!