Telescope Reviews: The Evolution of a Lightbridge 16.

Now, lets focus on the tubes. For so long they have just sat empty and alone. There was nothing on them and nothing to do with them until later in the mods. The only functional modification I could do with the tubes was to blacken the rim of the ST-80. So I did.

After a friend of a friend talked with me and a few emails were bounced back and forth I found myself looking at a proof for an idea that was amazing me. The friend of a friend wraps cars. Well, he wraps cars, windows, buildings, and all kinds of things. Mostly people wrap cars for advertising. Often its corporations wrapping fleet vehicles. You may have seen a graphically laden wrapped car, truck, or bus somewhere I am sure.

Here is how M42 got its name.

M42, The Great Orion Nebula, was an obvious choice for me. To wrap a deep space hunter like the Lightbridge 16 in the very stars and nebulas it seeks on clear nights seems like a great idea. Since a wrap can be made of any photo, image, graphic, whatever, many ideas were brain stormed. Cammo, bright obnoxious cammo, Atlas rocket booster, WWII pin up nose art, patriotic themes, and dragons all were ideas that made the short list. However, once I got some ideas back from Jeff, the wrapper, the M42 imagery stood out. Once ideas are hashed out and measurements are taken the graphic artist goes to work and lays out the proof. After approval it is sent to their printer. Its a huge printer but not that different from the common ink jet. The printing is done directly onto a thin polyester/vinyl film made by 3M. Product information can be read about here.

The film is, well, you guessed it, some SPACE AGE stuff. The product description says these 50 micron cast films offer versatility along with slideable, repositionable, pressure activated adhesive. These long term durable and removable films have excellent hiding power and stability, making them perfect for signs and fleet graphics and watercraft, including surfaces with corrugations and rivets. Films with this Comply adhesive have air release channels for fast and easy, bubble-free graphic installations. In addition, the air release channels for films with Comply adhesive are non-visible and have improved air release.

Once this vinyl film is printed it is over laminated with another space age product. 3M Scotchcal Gloss Overlaminate is a 2 mil film that can enhance gloss and provide additional ultraviolet and durable physical protection for electronic digitally imaged graphic constructions. You can read more about its product information here. Then the wrap is attached to the part, positioned, then heat shrunk to the item being wrapped. The glue that is used is heat sensitive and activated with the heat gun. When you want to remove the wrap you just heat it up and the glue releases. It leaves the surface unharmed.

I had them wrap right over the stock stickers so that this modification is completely reversible. The whole complete, protected, stock Lightbridge is underneath. I tried to show how clingy and thin this wrap is. It is shiny like glossy hot rod paint and amazingly durable. This is the same stuff they use on cars so it will hold up to rocks, salt, road grime, and all the harshness of the road. Just wipe with a moist cloth. Wow. All of the holes were cut so cleanly you would mistake it for paint. My camera phone doesn't capture the depth or colors accurately. Better pics will come soon. It has an amazing finish. Amazing.