Hello Heads, I've got 8 life rings (life preservers) to hand letter. It's been a long time since doing any of these, can't remember what I used. I also haven't seen them yet, but i think that they will be the "real hard, kinda polyethelenefeel finish, "...plastic type ones. Canadian Coast Guard Approved.
Any info much appreciated. i.e. prep, etc.
Thanks, John Lennig / BTG
Posted by GARY CULY (Member # 3130) on :
We did a liferaft for a rescue unit that wasa rubber stuff. Only thing that would stick to it good was t-shirt screening ink. We cut a mask on puter ,brushed it on, QUICKLY!! Got to get the thinner for that stuff too. Not expesive but it really smells! work fast keep brush wet. we 2 coated the white and whole job done in 3 hrs. junked 2 quills, so might use some sacrifical ones .the one that are o.k. but you just keep laying around cause you just cant throw away ones. hope this helps.
Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
Hmmm tough one. I'm just guessing here, but I would think for the rubbery ones you might try a coating called Grip Flex by Azko Nobel, it sticks to all manner of odd flexible stuff ... banners, and the like.
For hard slippery plastic things I'd think you might want to take a look at Lacryl (sp?) by Spraylat or Grip Guard by Azko Nobel. I've put both on plexi and lexan with good effect.
Be sure to check the manufacturers' recomendations regarding application, reducing, and surface preparation.
Good luck!
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
On Lake Lanier, I run into 2 types of life rings: the round white matte type finish, and the yellow horseshoe vinyl covered. The white ones (w/ 4 nylon bands and rope attached) will accept One-Shot. The yellow horseshoes, used mostly on sailboats, need a vinyl screen ink thinned to brushing consistency. Hit either one with denatured alcohol before painting.
[ August 11, 2002, 06:58 PM: Message edited by: Sonny Franks ]
Posted by atog254 (Member # 494) on :
Related question: While on vacation this summer, I salvaged one of these life rings from the debris washed ashore - The white ones (w/4 nylon bands and rope attached).
Would like to remove the lettering which appears to be vinyl and re-letter it for my brother-in-law's cottage. Sort of a pay back for the use of his cottage on the Cheaspeake.
Any suggestions on how to remove the lettering would be appreciated.
Thanks,
SC
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Hey, thanks Gary, Jonathon,Sonny and Steve re: paint for liferings.They were the orange ones w/ super-reflective bands on them...made in Spain. The supplier here referred me to some guys in Nova Scotia, I called them, and they have the real deal. You heat the lettering area with propane torch until it's RED, then lay down your precut (out of pvc material, no adhesive)and dab on an ink called poly enamel. They did lots of research and testing to get this to work. You have to get the ink on before the rings cools down, but once it's dry, it is PART OF THE RING, CAN'T SCRAPE IT OFF.
Well, it was to much to late for my job, tried o'shot and Deka to prove to customer that"it doesn't stick", he sails on the evening tide for N. Cal. and thence to Venezuela. But he's got a neat safe, all lettered and striped!
anyway, thanks, if anybody wants to talk to the Nova Scotia guys, let me know.
