Cubesmith

[alexc]

I finished putting cubesmith stickers on my cube a couple days ago and a couple of the stickers already have chipped a tiny bit along the edges. I'm not sure how, but it happened. How have they held up for you?

Also, I know that some stickers come with applicator tape, but the ones I got from cubesmith didn't. I did all of them by hand. It looks fine, but it sure would be easier if they included some applicator tape.

Oh, and one more thing. (this really is the last question ) Has anyone here ever gotten a DIY from cubesfans shop on eBay? I saw a video demonstration on Youtube and they look awesome! I'm thinking about getting one.

 

[RobinBloehm]

Hi, concerning the stickers: some of my friends have the same problems with theirs, although I built the cubes for them and placed the stickers exactly the same way I placed the stickers on my cube. Mine hold very good, no probs, not even on chipped edge. So maybe your style of cubing kills the stickers.
Cubesmith's stickers are the best, everyone knows, so either you change your style of cubing (not recommended) or you hope it gets better on its own by playing less inhibited.

 

[Lotsofsloths]

Have you clipped your nails?
Speaking of which..
*clips nails*

 

[alexc]

I have no idea how the stickers chipped. I just hope that it doesn't happen anymore.

 

[Dene]

Yes, nails are a big problem. When I do the H perm (using M2's) I quite often catch on the tiles. My finger bleeds under the nail, and the corner of the tile needs to be cut off. As long as you are careful, the bulk of the sticker will last, just don't leave anything hanging there to make it worse.

EDIT: I should point out, I DON'T have long nails, I have very short stubby nails

 

[abbracadiabra]

I don't think nails are the problem. I have long nails, and actually use my nails to turn the faces of my cubes, and I've never had a problem with chipping stickers.

I don't think Cubesmith stickers are the problem, either. I have used both his vinyl stickers and his tiles, and I think Cubesmith products are about the best there is. (It also helps that his products are exactly as described and he can be depended on to ship promptly and send your order correctly, but that's a whole other issue.)

I'm more inclined to think that your stickers are chipping because you didn't apply exactly on the center of each cubie. If they are off-center they are subject to more than usual stress. It's also possible that you didn't apply them to a clean, dry surface, so they didn't adhere properly.

As for the applicator tape, it makes for an easier job, but not a better job. If you are the slightest bit off, you're off on the entire face instead of on one cubie. Putting new stickers on isn't hard - it's taking the old stickers off that's a pain in the @$$.

 

[alexc]

There was a lot of sticky residual gunk on the cubies when I removed the stickers. Would that affect how well the stickers stick? And, yeah abbracadiabra, removing the stickers is extremely painstaking and hard.

 

[Dene]

Yes, the adhesive will affect how well they stick, which is the problem with mine.

 

[abbracadiabra]

Well here's a trick for getting the old stickers off - use the heat from your hairdryer to soften the adhesive on the old stickers, and then peel them off with a scrape rite blade (from Cubesmith).

Then you really ought to use some kind of solvent to remove the "residual gunk". I've found that vodka works really well. Prior to restickering my cubes I pour myself two martinis: a big one for me, and a little one for my cube. This serves a dual purpose. The little martini cleans off the remaining adhesive, and the big martini gets me through the painstaking and hard part of the job.

 

[Dene]

Pff, using tape is the best way to remove the adhesive. It may take a bit of time, but will not damage your cube at all.

 

[jonny guitar]

I'm more inclined to think that your stickers are chipping because you didn't apply exactly on the center of each cubie. If they are off-center they are subject to more than usual stress.

After I applied my vinyls I went over mine with an exacto blade and trimmed off any overhang which has prolonged the life. Now if I get a rough corner or side I grab the exacto and give it a trim before it gets too far gone.

 

[Tomarse]

Well here's a trick for getting the old stickers off - use the heat from your hairdryer to soften the adhesive on the old stickers, and then peel them off with a scrape rite blade (from Cubesmith).

Then you really ought to use some kind of solvent to remove the "residual gunk". I've found that vodka works really well. Prior to restickering my cubes I pour myself two martinis: a big one for me, and a little one for my cube. This serves a dual purpose. The little martini cleans off the remaining adhesive, and the big martini gets me through the painstaking and hard part of the job.

lollolololololololololololol immence

 

[brad711]

My newly applied stickers have chipped slightly, but I think its just because I put them to far to the sides.