How to Install Reflective DOTS or SQUARES on Treadplate
When attempting to comply with the NFPA 1901 guidelines it often becomes necessary to apply reflective material to treadplate. Because of the nature of the surface this can be a challenge. By cutting or punching type 1, type 3 or type 5 reflective material into squares or circles this process is made easy. 3/4" circles are easiest to place, however, 3/4" squares give you about 25% more coverage if that is an issue. If the entire back of your truck was treadplate you would need to use the 3/4" squares but if you had a combination of flat areas and treadplate you could use the circles. If you decide to do squares you can either punch them out of 1" material or buy 3/4" reflective tape and just cut every 3/4" of an inch to create the squares.
The pictures below show how to take 1" or 3/4" reflective striping and cut or punch it into circles / dots or squares for application to treadplate. They will take you step by step through the process. Below each picture or series of pictures is a description of the step.
As you will see, the process is very simple and although it is a little tedious you can do a few rows and stop and then start later. Or if a call comes in you can drop what you are doing and begin where you left off. I would personally recommend using the type 5 material because it will last longer than any other film and is far brighter than the type 1 or 3 materials.
We carry reflective dots, overlays and squares for creating chevron striping on diamond tread plate at our Reflective Shapes Store.
For a FREE Sample Pack of our Reflective Dots,Rounded Squares and Diamond Plate Overlay Click Here.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR ENGINEER GRADE TYPE 1 CHEVRON STRIPING PAGE
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR HIGH INTENSITY TYPE 3 GRADE CHEVRON STRIPING PAGE
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR PRISMATIC GRADE TYPE 5 CHEVRON STRIPING PAGE
Purchase either a 3/4" circle punch or a 3/4" square punch from Hobby Lobby, Michaels or off the internet. The punches we use are made by EK Success and can also be ordered from the company at www.eksuccess.com
Next you would purchase a roll of 1" tape in a type 1, 3, or 5 grade and begin punching out your squares or circles.
Same picture with punch flipped.
It takes me about 1 second to punch out each dot.
Same process using a 3/4" square punch.
View of Punch from the bottom.
It only takes minutes to create a lot of dots or squares.
It only takes minutes to create a lot of dots or squares.
It takes me about 10 seconds per dot to apply. Dots are easier to line up than squares but cover less surface area.
When I apply the squares I draw a line with pencil first as a guideline to follow. This helps keep them straight.
Once the line is drawn, applying the squares is very simple. Just peel the backing and stick.
The second, third, etc... rows can be applied using the first row as a guide or you can draw a line for each row. If they are a little off it will not matter and will not be very noticable when the tread plate is covered.
Small sample application at night.
Small sample application at night.
Larger application Type I Engineer Grade Dots. Picture courtesty of Pedernales Fire Department
Same truck at night.
Cutting 3/4" material into squares using scissors.
Cutting 3/4" material into squares using a table top cutter.
We carry reflective dots, overlays and squares for creating chevron striping on diamond tread plate at our Reflective Shapes Store.
For a FREE Sample Pack of our Reflective Dots,Rounded Squares and Diamond Plate Overlay Click Here.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR ENGINEER GRADE TYPE 1 CHEVRON STRIPING PAGE
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR HIGH INTENSITY TYPE 3 GRADE CHEVRON STRIPING PAGE
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR PRISMATIC GRADE TYPE 5 CHEVRON STRIPING PAGE