Anyone has some 3M heat transfer reflective tape they want to sell (or want to split an order with?)

[Yogy Namara]

I've had some good success with what I think is 3M 5807 (Custom Cuttable Transfer Film). I ordered it from reflectivelyyours.com (http://reflectivelyyours.com/generic143.html), and really have nothing bad to say about either the product or the seller. I've ironed them on my day time jersey (see pictures taken with flash: http://imgur.com/a/B6xNg), and while there's some excusable durability issues, I'd gladly do so again if not for the fact that I found out about the newer 3M 5500 series (Segmented/Comfort Trim aka Airex from Safe Reflections).

Here's an excerpt from their press release: http://news.3m.com/press-release/company/3m-entering-segmented-reflective-trim-market

3M [is introducing] Series 5500 Comfort Trim. [...] “With a growing interest in taking high-visibility safety apparel “beyond the vest” to primary apparel, such as work wear and outerwear, an offering in this category is essential,” [...] “The improved drape and moisture vapor transmission of these segmented trims provides improvement in the comfort for apparel used in the occupational markets we serve” [so] workers can stay dryer and cooler, while the increased flexibility makes garments more comfortable to move in. [They] are designed for improved wash durability, which can contribute to a longer garment life. Both meet retroreflective performance standards and are certified to ANSI, CSA and other standards.

Segmented means that instead of one solid block of tape, it's more like /////////////////////// (see picture: http://scotchlitestore.3m.com/micromesh-t-shirt-lime-lg-vea103ctlmlg).

Their quick comparison guide summarizes the numbers: http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=QQQQQSsxIaDqJVr64WY6mVY_ctsocasxFtRQctRQcQQQQQQ--

3M 5510: >330 cd/lux/m2, 75 wash cycles 

3M 5530: >330 cd/lux/m3, 100 wash cycles

3M 5807: 500 cd/lux/m2, 50 wash cycles

As expected, while still meeting the standards, segmented is slightly less "bright" than solid. I'm pleasantly surprised that segmentation improves durability, but I'll take their words and numbers for it. Improved breathability and comfort by segmentation seems intuitive enough.

For comparison against a known variable, while I'm not 100% certain, I believe Mavic Vision and many others use 3M 5807. In any case, nothing else from 3M in the glass bead heat transfer category is "brighter", and 50 wash cycles was the record for durability until the 5500 series came out.

There are some caveats, though: unlike 5807 (which is designed to be cut into custom designs), the 5500 series must not be cut across the segments for utmost durability (e.g. a 2" wide tape shouldn't be narrowed by splitting unless you're willing to sacrifice durability). Also, true for all heat transfer tapes, technically an industrial heat press should be used, and a household iron may not be adequate. Lastly, a DIY effort will not be officially certified by any standard, nevermind if it actually meets or exceeds the prescribed spec (i.e. this may be a problem for SCR 3CR who insists on EN-1150 vest, nevermind that ANSI 107 Level 2 is a higher standard).

To cut this short, I'm interested in buying some 5510 (or 5530 if available), and the one place I found is Iron Horse Safety (http://www.ironhorsesafety.com/), which quoted me $40 for a 2" by 10 yard roll. I'm just wondering if there are others who either already have some I can buy from, or want to split an order with me.

Yogy

[C. Duque]

Yogy,

I was also looking for 3M heat transfer reflective tape a while back but then saw the adhesive reflective tape that John P. got from the Rusa website and decided to order some.

http://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/storedept_GF.pl?catid=2 look at the bottom of the page for "Reflective Scotchlite Tape".

To apply you just need to peel the film on the adhesive side and press against the fabric, kindo like applying a patch to a tube (a tire lever works very well for this)

It comes in 1" and 2" and the maximum length they will sell is 5 feet or each width (wish Rusa sold whatever mount I wanted). My order took about 2 weeks to arrive. You can cut it in any shape you want and it is very bright, at least for now. It works very well on the  ripstop material of the SFR vests and I also used it on the neoprene knuckles of my gloves. It adds very little extra bulk to the fabric. I have not washed mine more than once so I'm not sure of its durability. 

Unfortunately as with most of the Rusa store, the description of the tape is non existent, there is no item number/reference and the "zoom" photo is just ridiculously small. I have not looked elsewhere on the interwebs for it but i'm sure it is out there somewhere. 

Carlos

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[Yogy Namara]

Carlos,

I haven't confirmed this with RUSA, but I believe those are 3M 8850 Pressure Sensitive Adhesive tape. According to the technical data sheet (http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=66666UgxGCuNyXTtnxfVmXf_EVtQEcuZgVs6EVs6E666666--&fn=SRM_PSA_TDS.pdf), these PSA tapes are not meant to be washed, and should only be cleaned by wiping with damp cloth and mild soap.

At some point in the past I was also interested in 8850, using it on shoes/saddlebags/other non-clothing things, but then decided against it. My current strategy is to limit the use of silver glass bead retroreflection to only 3M 5510 (or 5807) on clothings and anything I can iron on, and complement that with colorful microprismatics like Reflexite GP340 (http://www.findtape.com/product474/Reflexite-GP-340-Sew-On-Garment-Retroreflective-Trim.aspx) or Reflexite V92 (www.findtape.com/product389/Reflexite-REF-DB-Retroreflective-Daybright-Tape.aspx).

Yogy



According to the

[Yogy Namara]

I should add that the reasoning behind that strategy is that it is my understanding that sealed microprismatics tends to be more durable, works better when wet, and available in various colors. Some colors aren't as bright as plain white in terms of sheer numbers, but I read one pedestrian conspicuity study which suggests that colors considerably improves identification, which is a very nice compensation.

Yogy

[Gintautas Budvytis]

I also bought this tape from RUSA, cut in different shapes and applied all over my bike. Just in case I put an electric tape first, for easy removal later (I value my paint job). It is stretchy for added flexibility.
But, my oh my, it is so hard to peel that film of the paper strip. Harder than to peel a potato... with your bare hands :)

GB

On Tuesday, February 4, 2014 9:51:27 AM UTC-8, C. Duque wrote:

[Yogy Namara]

In case anyone is curious about 3M 5510, as seen in the attached picture, I bought some and applied it all over my jersey. I have the Jogalite leg band (Reflexite GP340) on my wrist, for reference.

Yogy