waterbased adhesive

[ericheartsu]

Today i'm starting from scratch with my waterbased adhesive. Talk to me how to apply it correctly!

I've got some tekbond that we've been using forever, but i don't think we have been applying it as well as we could.

We typically mix a small squeeze bottle 50% adhesive, 50% water, shake, then rub onto pallets with a wet red sponge.

When it gets less tacky we spray mean green, and get rid of the lint to rejuvinate it.

But i do feel like we have to adhesive quite often.

What is the best way with a new set of pallet tape, new sponge, and new waterbased adhesive, to get the longest life?

[Denis Kolar]

I use sign squeegee to apply. Put the pallet tape, squirt some of the Tekbond (Use 30% water and 70% tekbond) and spread with a squeegee

[Homer]

I use sign squeegee to apply. Put the pallet tape, squirt some of the Tekbond (Use 30% water and 70% tekbond) and spread with a squeegee

we do the exact same thing except we apply 3-4 layers of pallet tape and we add blue food coloring to the glue so we can see where applied...

[Evo]

Small disposable foam paint roller in a 1 gallon bucket. Diluted adhesive, about 60%. Works perfect.

[T Shirt Farmer]

Why are you diluting the glue, we use it @ 100% straight from bucket.

[ericheartsu]

Why are you diluting the glue, we use it @ 100% straight from bucket.

it's way to tacky for us straight from the bucket!

[ericheartsu]

I use sign squeegee to apply. Put the pallet tape, squirt some of the Tekbond (Use 30% water and 70% tekbond) and spread with a squeegee

we do the exact same thing except we apply 3-4 layers of pallet tape and we add blue food coloring to the glue so we can see where applied...

why so much pallet tape?

[ericheartsu]

Small disposable foam paint roller in a 1 gallon bucket. Diluted adhesive, about 60%. Works perfect.

when doing this, do you flash your pallets afterwords?

How long does the adhesive hold for? are you just doing it once a day? or before every project?

also what are you doing for hoodies/triblends?

[tonypep]

Tried all of the above ys ago but a sceen srubbie is best. Less messy and applies a smooth even coat. Wash it out right away. Reactivate w/ water and 8" bristle broom head.

[tonypep]

We've gone as long as 2 months hard production. Apply, flash, 2nd apply, flash, and you're good for a very long time.

[ericheartsu]

Tony i just emailed you about this, but do you dilute it at all?

Does your method work on hoodies and triblends?

[Homer]

I use sign squeegee to apply. Put the pallet tape, squirt some of the Tekbond (Use 30% water and 70% tekbond) and spread with a squeegee

we do the exact same thing except we apply 3-4 layers of pallet tape and we add blue food coloring to the glue so we can see where applied...

we use web spray for hoodies  -rip off a layer and you're back to work...
why so much pallet tape?

[mimosatexas]

I use textac, diluted 75% water, 25% tac.  I reapply every 500-1000 shirts, depending on need.  If I see it losing tac and I have a tight registration job that really needs it, I squirt the pallet with water in a spray bottle, then use a scrub brush to quickly remove lint, quick flash to remove excess water and it is basically as good as new.  Takes maybe 2 minutes for 4 pallets, and I do this maybe every 200 shirts per pallet.

I tried carding the glue on, and rolling it on, and sponging it on, etc.  I found the quickest and least messy was to use a squirt bottle and quickly squirt a zigzag across the pallet, then take one paper towel and quickly smear in concentric circles from the middle, then back and forth to even out any issues or missed spots.  Bonus of the paper towel is it soaks up any excess at the same time.  No mess, no fuss, no need to clean the applicator, etc.