At Chevron Warehouse we have refined our material range to deliver clarity, performance and installer-friendly handling across every grade. With demand for reflective and R3B-compliant materials rising across fleets and utility vehicles, it has never been more important to choose the correct specification. Below you will find a clear breakdown of each material option, the benefits of each, and the environments they are designed for.
1. Engineering Grade
Product Specifications
- Red: Non-R3B Promo Red (standard reflective)
- Yellow: Enduro Bright Fluorescent Air Release Yellow
- Usage: For roads under 40 mph
- Compliance: Not legal in Wales & Scotland
- Audience: Budget-conscious users, low-speed vehicles, local contractors, plant machinery
Pros
- Cost-effective solution when high-speed road compliance is not required.
- Now incorporating Air Release technology for easier fitting.
- Suitable for local authority vehicles, small contractors, low-speed zones.
Ideal Use Cases
Engineering Grade is well suited to vehicles operating exclusively on slower roads under 40 mph, where high-speed compliance is not required. It is a strong fit for small contractors, local fleets and project-based work where budget is tight yet visibility remains essential, particularly since properly marked vehicles can significantly reduce collision risks in low-light environments. With chevron stripes recommended to be no less than 150 mm wide and angled between 45 and 60 degrees, this grade provides a compliant-looking layout for non-R3B applications without the cost of premium materials.
2. Premium Grade
Product Specifications
- Red: Aura 191 Prismatic Grade
- Yellow: Aura 139 Fluorescent Air Release Yellow
- Usage: Safe for roads under 70 mph
- Compliance: Legal in Wales & Scotland
- Audience: Standard trade users, fleet vehicles, public sector
Pros
- Higher prismatic reflectivity versus standard grades.
- Fully UK-compliant across all regions including Wales & Scotland.
- Improved handling and now enhanced with Air Release for quicker, cleaner fit.
- Balanced cost versus high performance.
Ideal Use Cases
Premium Grade is the go-to option for trade fleets covering a wide geographic area, including operations within Wales and Scotland where full regional compliance is required. It is ideal for public sector vehicles, commercial fleets and installers needing a reliable, all-round performing material suited to road speeds up to 70 mph. With visibility proven to reduce the likelihood of roadside incidents and near misses, Premium Grade provides enhanced reflectivity while remaining cost-effective for long-term fleet use.
3. Premium+
Product Specifications
- Red: Avery V8000 Prismatic Grade
- Yellow: Aura 139 Fluorescent Air Release Yellow
- Usage: Under 70 mph
- Compliance: Fully legal in Wales & Scotland
- Audience: Professional installers, fleets, high-demand environments
Pros
- Designed specifically for professional fitters: easier to handle, conform and reposition if needed.
- Very durable with strong road visibility.
- With the addition of Air Release technology, ensures fewer bubbles, fewer rejects and faster installation.
- It’s the highest performance grade we offer before entering the 3M top-tier.
- Installer-friendly without compromising on visibility or compliance.
Ideal Use Cases
Premium+ is best suited to professional installers, fleet livery specialists and vehicle graphics companies working to tight deadlines or delivering large-scale roll-outs where downtime must be minimised. The combination of Avery V8000’s exceptional handling and Air Release technology allows for speed, repeatability and accurate alignment, reducing errors and material wastage. It delivers high-end prismatic performance for customers who want the best possible visibility without stepping into a 3M-specific specification requirement.
4. 3M
Product Specifications
- Red: 3M Diamond Grade
- Yellow: 3M Saturn Yellow
- Usage: Up to 70 mph
- Compliance: Legal in Wales & Scotland
- Audience: Customers specifically asking for 3M branded materials
Pros
- Globally recognised brand, trusted for decades in high visibility and safety signage.
- Exceptional performance in reflectivity, durability and brand-recognition value.
- Ideal where specification demands the 3M name and premium materials.
Ideal Use Cases
3M is the right choice for specialist vehicles, branded fleets and premium contracts where the specification explicitly calls for 3M Diamond Grade and Saturn Yellow. It is particularly suited to organisations that value the brand’s long-standing safety reputation or operate in environments where maximum visibility is essential. For vehicles working under 70 mph where conspicuity is critical, 3M’s reflective performance provides a robust solution that supports both safety expectations and client requirements.
What Is Air Release?
Air Release is the adhesive technology built into the Engineering, Premium and Premium+ grades that significantly improves the installation process. The adhesive layer contains micro-channels that let trapped air escape during application, preventing bubbles and imperfections.
Key benefits for installers
- Reduces bubbles and imperfections during application.
- Enables a cleaner finish, especially on large panels or complex rear vehicle surfaces.
- Makes the material easier for less experienced fitters.
- Saves time, particularly for fleet roll-outs where dozens of vehicles require marking.
- Reduces the need for specialist heat guns or tools.
With installation time a major factor in fleet downtime, Air Release has quickly become one of the most valuable upgrades across the range, especially for installers fitting multiple kits per week.
Understanding Chapter 8 – Why Chevron Kits Are Needed
What Is Chapter 8?
Chapter 8 is part of the UK Traffic Signs Manual and outlines best practice for traffic management, vehicle conspicuity and temporary road works. While not legislation, it is considered the accepted industry standard, and failure to meet its guidelines can lead to liability issues if an incident occurs.
A core requirement involves the use of high-visibility rear markings (chevrons) on vehicles that stop or operate on higher-speed roads. These markings must follow defined angles and stripe widths to maximise safety. For example, chevron stripes should be no less than 150 mm wide and angled between 45 and 60 degrees to ensure visibility and recognition from distance.
Why Chevron Kits Matter
Chevron kits significantly increase rear-vehicle visibility in both daylight and low-light conditions, reducing the likelihood of collisions or near misses. Many worksites and local authorities now enforce Chapter 8 as a condition of access, meaning non-compliance can result in delays or refusal of entry. With rising demand for R3B-compliant materials across the UK, selecting the correct grade is essential for meeting modern safety expectations.
Conclusion
Choosing the correct material grade for your chevron kit involves more than selecting a colour or pattern. It requires understanding road-speed environments, compliance across different UK regions, visibility expectations and the practical realities of installation. The updated Chevron Warehouse range—Engineering, Premium, Premium+ and 3M—has been structured to give installers and fleet managers complete clarity when selecting the right solution.
With Air Release technology built into key grades and strong alignment with Chapter 8 best practice, you can be confident that your chosen material will meet both safety standards and real-world handling demands.
