Posted by Nana Hinsley on Tue, May 21, 2013 @ 02:36 PM
Towing companies have discovered GPS Crash Plastic Wrap as a way to add value for their customers, while simplifying their work when they pick up a vehicle that has been in an accident. It used to be that cars that had their windows shattered needed that window to be taped up- to insure the broken glass didn't scatter during towing. Enter duct tape and tarps. You know what is required to tape up a window in this fashion. Not the simpliest way to get the job done.
Today with the advent of GPS Crash Plastic Wrap, the job is quick and easy. The crash wrap is self adhesive- so it sticks to the frame of the vehicle (as long as it is clean and dry). Just pull off the amount you need to cover the window area and let it do its job. It will stay in place until you want to remove it. The best part comes when there has been rain or dust. The inside of the car is protected by the crash wrap. When the owner of the vehicle comes to get their vehicle, they will thank you for protecting the inside of the vehicle. It's traumatic enough to face your vehicle after it has been in an accident. Finding that the interior isn't flooded is a welcome relief.
How do you charge for this service? That is the point. You are offering a service of securing the openings of the vehicle with plastic sheeting. Many of our customers charge by the type of window opening. $25 for each side window, $35-45 for a front or rear window. Charging by the foot makes this service about the amout of crash wrap used on the job. Charge for your time, and the fact that you care enough to do a good job. That people are willing to pay for.
Posted by Nana Hinsley on Mon, May 13, 2013 @ 12:41 PM
Question: I am hoping to use GPS Couuntertop Plastic to cover a variety of items during various assembly processes and projects. Some examples of use would be: cushioned seat pads, wall pads, glass, fiber glass (painted/gel coated/unpainted), composite material, painted steel frames/structures (all types steel/aluminum painted and unpainted), etc... As you can see I have a lot of different types products that may need covering but in order to consider using your product to protect some of our assemblies I need a one type fits all material. I was wondering if Countertop Plastic would be the best choice? Can you offer some advice?
Answer: I (Lee Hinsley) have been involved with self-adhesive films for over 20 years, so have quite a lot of experience to draw upon.
In the real world, many customers want one film that will cover a huge number of surfaces. Where this is concerned, you have chosen well with the GPS Countertop Plastic. This is the most versatile film and adhesive system we have available today. I will point out some of the reasons below.
This was originally an adhesive system designed by the metals group at our plant to try to protect as many different surfaces as possible. Today this is by far the most popular adhesive system within the metals group (out of over 200 different adhesive systems for metals alone).
We began using it about 16 years ago for countertop protection. During the years following the introduction of Corian countertops and all of the later knockoffs, most adhesive systems left a ghosting on the surface of the Corian and many other similar products. DuPont tested products from 12 or 13 different companies and this was the only product they approved.
A few years following this a large glass manufacturer was looking for a single film for both the window frames and glass, and after testing products from several manufacturers, they chose this product and continue to use it today.
GPS Countertop Plastic has successfully been used on a great number of surfaces for 180 days.
Customers also report using this film long-term on countertops regardless of whether they are natural stone, high pressure laminates, epoxies...
We have many other customers using this film on a wide variety of surfaces, quite successfully. That being said, we have not tested and approved this product for many of the hundreds of possible surfaces. We cannot guarantee suitability of use. We cannot guarantee there will not be any adhesive residue on any given surface. It is our recommendation that you test this film on surfaces you wish to protect so you can determine how well it will work.
We have not had any adhesive residue complaints on this product that I know about. That is one of the reasons I so strongly favor this product.
Things that increase the chance of adhesive residue with this or any other self-adhesive water-based adhesive system include:
- Exposure to water I any form, including steam and high humidity. This film is likely to fail if a protected part is submerged in a water bath, for instance
- Pressure. The higher the pressure applied to the surface, the more likely adhesive residue transfer could occur
- UV radiation- basically the sun, but some processes and curing procedures use UV, which breaks down the film, plus the bond between the film and adhesive systems over time.
- Some fabricating procedures, like bending and shaping can increase the likelihood of problems.
- Exposure to high heat, chemicals, solvents, oils, greases, or the application to surfaces containing any of these items.
This film can be hand or machine applied. No special dispensing tools are required, but if you have a process where machine applied film is beneficial, there is equipment out there designed for such purposes.
The GPS Countertop Plastic will not adhere to all surfaces. If the surface has texturing, or is not fairly smooth, this may not have enough adhesive to get a good grip to the surface. There is not another single adhesive system that works on nearly as many surfaces as this one.
May I suggest you test a sample of the product on your potential surface to make sure it will perform to your necessary requirements.
This film is available in many different widths, and in clear. It lasts the same amount of time in clear as blue.
Posted by Nana Hinsley on Fri, May 03, 2013 @ 11:26 AM
Way back in the day, say 5000 years ago, clay was the material of choice to make roofing. Even back then, clay roof tiles were applauded for their ability to resist fire. One of the prevailing problems was the weight of the tiles. To transport them from city to city was a lot of work among other things.
As time went on, composit shingles were invented. They were made from felted or woven fabric was was covered with a tar-like substance. This brought the rise of the asphalt shingle. These were popular due to their higher flame-resistance ability, and the fact they could be shaped into various patterns and forms. The ashalt shingles replaced wood shingles that while light weight, were a fire hazzard.
Coal tar became the technology that was used to seal the roof from water, UV rays and air borne chemicals. Felt was adhered to the roof using hot-applied coal tar pitch. So many of us can still remember the smell of the tar fumes from a roofing job.
Today we have the emergence of Synthetic Underlayments. They were introduced approximately 13 years ago. The felt underlayment that was used for so many years had so many shortcomings. One of the biggest shortcoming being that asphalt saturated felt paper underlayment is that it is not water-proof. The two available thicknesses is 15 pound and 30 pound. The thirty-pound is more resistant to damage during installation, but is heavier and a lot more difficult to work with. It still does not address the fact that it isn't water proof.
Synthetic Underlayments are generally made from a 3 ply construction of polyethylene/polypropylene over a woven substrate. Most but not all synthetic underlayments are impermeable to both water and vapor. Asphalt felts are good at shedding water and are semi-permeable.
Synthetic underlayments are more tear-and pucnture-resistant than asphalt felts. Synthetic underlayments resist expansion and contraction with the varying temperature changes that occur daily. Most have a Ultra Violet coating which means they won't degrade in the sun.
Synthetic underlayments are lighter than felts. For installers, this significantly makes installation quicker and easier. The synthetic products are more flexible on cold weather, and roll out without cracking or chatter. If you live in a colder climate, this extends your installation season.
Another favorable factor is that synthetic underlayments outperform felts. They aren't likely to leak, even if a few shingles crack or blow off. they don't absorb moisture, so they can't rot or dry out. The also won't allow for mold or mildew growth.
To learn more about sythetic roofing underlayment, please click here and visit our product page.
Posted by Lee Hinsley on Wed, Apr 24, 2013 @ 05:06 PM
Question: High levels of radon was foun in my home in Utah. Are there vapor barriers that stop the radon from entering my home?
Answer: Good news! A zero perm vapor barrier or liner as they are referred to is one where the perm rating is 0.000 according to official perm rate testing. The only way this can be accomplished with a flexible liner is to have an aluminum core as part of the liner. Basically the film is made with a thin layer of aluminum sandwiched between the layers of the film, and this allows Zero water vapor transmission through the product. Very few such products exist on the market today, and they are mostly used in applications which are particularly sensitive to moisture, like under gymnasium floors, in wine caves, or under computer rooms. If one wants the utmost in protection from water vapor and other vapors, like Radon, Methane, VOC’s or Carbon Dioxide, this type of product is the ultimate liner. Some People use these in basement or crawlspace applications to create a space with the lowest possible levels of moisture. Two things keep the Zero Perm liners from being the most popular products for use in the basement and crawlspace industry. First is the color, the current products on the market are black in color, which is one of the least desirable for crawlspaces. Second is the cost, Zero perm liners are at least twice the cost of most engineered liners for this application.
Vapor Guard is a zero perm liner. When most of us think about plastic liners to keep out such things as vapors, we do not think on a microscopic level. At that level, the small water vapor molecules work their way through most vapor retarders (also called vapor barriers), and small amounts of the water vapor come through the liners as they escape the earth. Water vapor is always coming out of the earth to some degree, but is highest when wet conditions exist, or in areas where the humidity is high. Other gasses are also emitted from the earth, and from things that have been buried under the surface of the earth, either naturally, or through such things as landfills. These gasses include such things as Radon, Methane, VOC’s and Carbon Dioxide. These small particle gasses work their way through vapor retarders even more easily than the larger particles of water vapor. Specialized vapor retarders such as VaporBlock 20 Plus are designed to deal with these small particle gasses much more effectively. The zero perm liners also block out virtually all of these gasses, plus in theory “all” of the water vapor.
Posted by Nana Hinsley on Mon, Apr 15, 2013 @ 02:07 PM
Plastic sheet (sheeting) comes in a variety of compositions which vastly affect the nature of the plastic. Plastic is one of the most versitile products that is used in many aspects of daily life. From car parts, to children's toys, water bottles, televisions and now aircraft, plastic is molded into plastic sheets, parts, and gagets. Plastic is the chosen material because it can meet so many consumer needs at a respectable price.
Today's plastic sheets are here to meet consumer needs for health, safety and performance with value. Take a milk bottle. Once stored in glass bottles, a container of milk was heavy, and shattered into a million pieces if it was dropped. The plastic milk bottle allows the drinker to easly lift the bottle, and feel assured that if they drop it, it won't be too much a a calamity.
The properties of plastics/plastic sheeting are defined by the organic chemistry of the polymer such as the density, hardness, resitance to heat, organic solvents, oxidation and ionizing radiation. Due to plastic's insolubility in water and relative chemical inertness, pure plastic has a low toxicty. Keep in mind that the additives that can be added to plastic could be toxic. An example of an additive is the plasticizers that when added to brittle plastics like polyvinyl choloride, it makes it pliable enough for use in food packaging. It's the effects of such leachates that concern the public regarding food consumption.
To illustrate the types of common plastic and their uses, here is a list taken from Wikipedia.
- Polyester (PES) – Fibers, textiles.
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – Carbonated drinks bottles, peanut butter jars, plastic film, microwavable packaging.
- Polyethylene (PE) – Wide range of inexpensive uses including supermarket bags, plastic bottles.
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE) – Detergent bottles, milk jugs, and molded plastic cases.
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – Plumbing pipes and guttering, shower curtains, window frames, flooring.
- Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) (Saran) – Food packaging.
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) – Outdoor furniture, siding, floor tiles, shower curtains, clamshell packaging.
- Polypropylene (PP) – Bottle caps, drinking straws, yogurt containers, appliances, car fenders (bumpers), plastic pressure pipe systems.
- Polystyrene (PS) – Packaging foam/"peanuts", food containers, plastic tableware, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, CD and cassette boxes.
- High impact polystyrene (HIPS) -: Refrigerator liners, food packaging, vending cups.
- Polyamides (PA) (Nylons) – Fibers, toothbrush bristles, tubing, fishing line, low strength machine parts: under-the-hood car engine parts or gun frames.
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) – Electronic equipment cases (e.g., computer monitors, printers, keyboards), drainage pipe.
- Polyethylene/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PE/ABS) – A slippery blend of PE and ABS used in low-duty dry bearings.
- Polycarbonate (PC) – Compact discs, eyeglasses, riot shields, security windows, traffic lights, lenses.
- Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS) – A blend of PC and ABS that creates a stronger plastic. Used in car interior and exterior parts, and mobile phone bodies.
- Polyurethanes (PU) – Cushioning foams, thermal insulation foams, surface coatings, printing rollers (Currently 6th or 7th most commonly used plastic material, for instance the most commonly used plastic in cars).
More Specialized plastics are listed below, thanks to Wikipedia.
- Melamine formaldehyde (MF) – One of the aminoplasts, and used as a multi-colorable alternative to phenolics, for instance in moldings (e.g., break-resistance alternatives to ceramic cups, plates and bowls for children) and the decorated top surface layer of the paper laminates (e.g., Formica).
- Plastarch material – Biodegradable and heat resistant, thermoplastic composed of modified corn starch.
- Phenolics (PF) or (phenol formaldehydes) – High modulus, relatively heat resistant, and excellent fire resistant polymer. Used for insulating parts in electrical fixtures, paper laminated products (e.g., Formica), thermally insulation foams. It is a thermosetting plastic, with the familiar trade name Bakelite, that can be molded by heat and pressure when mixed with a filler-like wood flour or can be cast in its unfilled liquid form or cast as foam (e.g., Oasis). Problems include the probability of moldings naturally being dark colors (red, green, brown), and as thermoset it is difficult to recycle.
- Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) – Strong, chemical- and heat-resistant thermoplastic, biocompatibility allows for use in medical implant applications, aerospace moldings. One of the most expensive commercial polymers.
- Polyetherimide (PEI) (Ultem) – A high temperature, chemically stable polymer that does not crystallize.
- Polylactic acid (PLA) – A biodegradable, thermoplastic found converted into a variety of aliphatic polyesters derived from lactic acid which in turn can be made by fermentation of various agricultural products such as corn starch, once made from dairy products.
- Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) – Contact lenses (of the original "hard" variety), glazing (best known in this form by its various trade names around the world; e.g., Perspex, Oroglas, Plexiglas), aglets, fluorescent light diffusers, rear light covers for vehicles. It forms the basis of artistic and commercial acrylic paints when suspended in water with the use of other agents.
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) – Heat-resistant, low-friction coatings, used in things like non-stick surfaces for frying pans, plumber's tape and water slides. It is more commonly known as Teflon.
- Urea-formaldehyde (UF) – One of the aminoplasts and used as a multi-colorable alternative to phenolics. Used as a wood adhesive (for plywood, chipboard, hardboard) and electrical switch housings.
So thanks to it's name "Plastic" which comes from the Greek meaning "capable of being shaped or molded", plastic has played an integral part in life as we know it today.
Posted by Nana Hinsley on Thu, Apr 11, 2013 @ 03:25 PM
Plastic sheeting applications are forever changing and morphing! Take greenhouse coverings for example! The latest greatest way to cover your greenhouse is with Polydress Solawrap. Polydress Solawrap is changing the way growers are covering their greenhouses. This polyethylene plastic sheeting is filled with thousands of little air-filled bubbles. This design has proven itself in Europe for the last thirty years! Solawraps air bubble design has led to reported tomato crop advancement in the Mediterranean of three weeks, in wintertime, in an unheated greenhouse compared to standard greenhouse coverings. This unique bubble filled plastic sheeting was tested in the unforeboding heat of Kuwait for 25 years. In those 25 years this amazing plastic sheeting now named Solawrap withstood the elements and did not become brittle or streak.
If you are wondering what adding air bubbles can do to sheets of plastic, understand that Solawrap comprises 3 layers of polyethylene film that encloses those air bubbles. This is what gives Solawrap the remarkable R-value of 1.7. This same air bubble filled plastic sheeting allows for 83% transparency of sunlight while diffusing 83% of the light. With increased amount of light diffusion plants grow healthier and faster. Normally in the summer many thousands of dollars are spent on shade cloth, however, in Europe, due to the high diffusion rates, only 10% of SolaWrap greenhouses utilizes shade cloths.
If you would like to learn more about Polydress Solawrap- the air bubble filled plastic sheeting miracle, click here. You may also ask for samples from our contact us page.
Posted by Nana Hinsley on Tue, Mar 26, 2013 @ 01:25 PM
So often people want to get an idea of how thick a certain thickness of plastic sheeting is. We hope this article will help you understand.
Plastic sheeting's thickness is measured in mils. The bigger the number of mils, the thicker the plastic sheeting. Here are some approximations with common items to help you understand.
Thickness of Plastic Sheeting Common item for Comparison
75 mil Nickel
60 mil Penny
50 mil Dime
10 mil Business card
6 mil white trash bag used in kitchens
4 mil standard piece of paper
Not all plastic sheeting has the same tensile strength if it is the same thickness. Take skrim reinforced (string reinforced) plastic sheeting. The layer of string or cord that is manufactured into the plastic give the plastic a great deal more strength and durability. Depending on the application, one can select the most appropriate type of plastic sheeting to do the job.
Additives added to the plastic sheeting also affect how long the plastic will last. Plastic sheeting that has a U.V. additive added will hold up in the sunshine a lot longer than a piece of plastic that is the same mil thickness without the U.V. additive. Another common additive is the fire retardant additive. In a fire, two sheets of plastic of the same mil thickness will withstand the flame differently. The fire retardant plastic sheeting will not burn. The flame will extinguish. The non-treated plastic sheeting will go up in flame, right quick and in a hurry!!
When you are deciding on how thick you want the plastic sheeting to be, also consider the additives that will give it added benefits. Still can't decide? Give a qucik call, 866.697.9298, and we will give you your options to best suite your needs.
Posted by Nana Hinsley on Fri, Mar 15, 2013 @ 02:47 PM
Sheet metal protection is a must to protect against scratches. Global Plastic Sheeting has a very unique product for sheet metal protection. It is called, No Adhesive Self-Adhesive (NASA) Plastic. NASA is a favorite product to protect metals because the film adheres well to metals, but has ZERO adhesive, so cannot leave behind any adhesive residue. NASA is made in 3 mil or thicker. It "sticks" to the metal until you pull it off! No glue or adhesive mess to deal with. To learn more about NASA Plastic, please click here.
We also have pressure sensitive self-adhesive films specifically engineered and designed for protecting metal of just about any type or finish. Various products are recommended, depending on the finish and a number of other factors. Our PSA coated films range in thickness from 2 mil to 10 mil.
For protecting metal using adhesive coated products, we normally like to involve the engineers, and provide a product that works as ideally on the particular metal/finish/process as possible. In many metal operations, the protective covering is used during manufacturing to keep the metal from being damaged. The metal is often bent, shaped, formed, drilled, die cut, rolled, drawn… We like to find out what the film needs to survive during any processing and shipping periods, so we can make recommendations that have the best chance of successfully protecting the metal.
Just give us a call at 866.597.9298 to learn about your options.
Posted by Nana Hinsley on Fri, Mar 15, 2013 @ 12:29 PM
What is the difference between the various polyethylene sheeting liners when someone specifies HDPE over LDPE, or LLDPE over MDPE for example? In the simplest terms, each liner will vary by its thickness and its flexibility. The main difference between the different types of plastic is the way their cellular structure, or molecules bond with each other, and how tightly they are formed.
Which is the most flexible of them all?
Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) is the most flexible of the plastic sheeting films. LLDPE is blended form of LDPE where the film has much more flexibility, tensile strength, and more conformability. It is more pliable and softer. LLDPE is used for pond liners or blended into other films to give them more flexibility and extra strength. LLDPE is used for films that need a tremendous amount of strength to absorb impacts while not tearing or puncturing. An example of this is a carpet plastic film that adheres to the carpet. It is strong enough to withstand foot traffic, even from stiletto high heels! The molecules all line up and strongly hold together as the film is stretched. The most common thickness range is from 0.5 mil to 40 mil in flexible plastic sheeting.
Which is the most common of them all?
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is the most common type of plastic sheeting. It is very flexible, most often from 0.5 mil thick to about 40 mil in flexible sheeting forms. Due to its flexibility is conforms well to a variety of surfaces. The downside is that this LDPE is not as strong or dense as some other types of plastic sheeting. It is not nearly as puncture resistant either. LDPE is used quite widely in construction, agriculture, surface protection applications, covers of all sorts, tarps and much more.
Which is least commonly used of them all?
Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) is the least commonly used form of polyethylene for flexible plastic sheeting. Its positive attributes is that it is stronger than LDPE and has a little more chemical resistant. It has a tighter cell structure making it more tear and puncture resistant. When pond liners are manufactured they are often made with MDPE and blended with LDPE or LLDPE to achieve a strong yet flexible pond liner.
Which is the toughest of them all?
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE, aka HD), has the distinction of being the strongest, toughest, most chemical resistant and least flexible of the four types of flexible plastic sheeting referenced in this article. HDPE is also the most UV resistant- holding up to the harsh rays of the sun without needing UV additive packages. HDPE’s strength comes from its tight cell structure that makes it very difficult for other molecules to pass through its structure on a microscopic level. When applications call for very large liners such as pond liners, HDPE is the most easily seamed or “sewn” together. Used industrially, the thickness range from 12 mils to100 mil thick. HDPE is used as secondary containment liners for oil tanks, and most industrial ponds and canal liners where chemical resistance is needed.
In conclusion, who is the fairest of them all? That all depends on your application! Gratefully there are many more types of plastic sheeting products to do all sort of thing to protect the surface or project it is intended for. Take a look around our website, and you will see some of the choices available to you. We haven't listed all our products- there's just too many.
Click here to visit our home page and a listing of our products, and/or call 866.597.9298 to share your thoughts.
Posted by Nana Hinsley on Mon, Mar 04, 2013 @ 11:19 AM
Polydress Sola Wrap greenhouse film is revolutionary in that it saves energy, offers UV protection, durability with transparency and extends the growing season. The unique bubble design is what allows Polydress Sola Wrap the capability to allow for year-round production at a fraction of the cost of traditional greenhouse films. Known in Europe as LP Keder or Polydress, Polydress Sola Wrap is now available in U. S markets. It's an insulated film that withstands the most extreme climates. Sola Wrap has a track record for over 40 years of testing in the Swiss Alps, the Middle East, and across Europe. Sola Wrap provides an insulating effect that retains up to 95% of heat radiation while providing an R-value of 1.7. This energy savings is significant!
Polydress Sola Wrap guarantees an even light diffusion over the entire greenhouse. 83% of sunlight diffuses through more than 100 air burls per square foot. 30% is healthy infrared light. This even diffusion spreads evenly thus avoiding shading and burning areas. The results are faster growing, healthy plants
Polydress Sola Wrap has a 5-year warranty against UV degradation. For over 40 years, this product has not deteriorated, changed color, become foggy or streaky. Used as greenhouse roofing or walls, Sola Wrap is waterproof, and airtight. It has withstood hailstorms, snowstorms, hurricane winds and both hot and cold snaps. Customers report picking strawberries inside the balmy greenhouse, while the temperatures outside are negative 30 degrees Celsius. This same greenhouse withstood snows, 70 mile-per-hour winds and violent hailstorms.
Installation: Polydress Sola Wrap is a flexible polyethylene film that is easily cut with a knife or scissors, and is completely recyclable and can be safely incinerated.
Roll Size: Rolls come in 4', 5' and 6' widths by 328' long.
For more information, please ask for Ken Aguilar. 866.597.9298