Hi, I'm new to the media of large format inkjet prints, and need a little advice. What is the best liquid UV laminate to use on outdoor pigment ink on matte finish vinyl? I've made some test prints and brushed on 2 coats of Frogjuice 2000 clear. What else works well? This is for vehicle graphics, primarily.
Thanks in advance! Tim
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
Tim, I did an overlaminate test last year.
The image was dye based ink on paper stock. The idea was to use something that would fade easy, so that UV protection results would be easy to see. The image was divided into four quarters. One quarter was left bare, one was frog juiced, one was Pelucid, the last one was overlaid with clear premium vinyl - probably a graffiti coat but I don't remember anymore.
It was hung vertical facing south under a shelter to keep rain off. The panel did catch blowing rain to some degree. It went up in January and came down in September.
The clear vinyl section looked the best after that time, but there was fading. The Pelucid finish looked brand new but the color underneath had faded more than the clear coat. The Frog Juice finish had a chalky look and was unattractive. The unfinished panel actually looked fairly good considering that it also had water runs.
Maybe on a waterproof material, that Frogjuice chalkiness washes off, I don't know. All our work is short term stuff, so we just don't overlaminate.
You ask a good question, and hopefully others can give us some better answers. Vic G
Posted by Stan McKinnon (Member # 2316) on :
We use 3M Scotchcal 1920DR Dirt Resistant Gloss Clear with great results.
Posted by Brian (Member # 39) on :
I have used Clearstar clears in the past with good results. They make it in cans and an aerosol.
