The Letterville BullBoard: Vinyl on new DuPont Centauri

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Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :

I have to apply vinyl lettering on a vehicle that is being painted with DuPont Centauri acrylic enamel. How long should I wait to let this paint cure before applying the vinyl. I seem to remember hearing about 2 to 3 weeks to prevent outgassing from forming bubbles.

Thanks

Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :

Dave....I regularly apply 2 mil cast on acrylic enamel the morning after it was painted. I also do the same with Awlgrip paint on sailboats. NEVER a problem... 2 mil cast vinyl breathes and will allow any gases to pass thru.

What does happen is that the application tape leaves a dull mark in the paint. It flows out smooth and shiny in a matter of minutes though.

Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :

Dave,

I have to concur with Dave here... I do prefer to wait as long as I can hold the guy off, though. We have never had a failure due to outgassing yet.

Hey Other Dave... do you remember the feeling you felt the first time you ever saw that dulling? LOL! I sure do...

Posted by dveenema (Member # 833) on :

I agree with Dave and Bruce. We letter rigs the day after their painted. We use a lot of Centari and Utech 3.8 urethane. On top of that 75% of that lettering is done in reflective. No problem!

Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :

An old rule of thumb "if you can smell it, its not cured", should have called it rule of nose.

Roger [Smile]

Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :

Can someone explain to me their definition of what out-gassing is?

Since most complete automotive paint jobs in enamel or enamel urethanes are applied these days using a catalyst and cured in a heated paint booth, the out-gassing problem is kept in the booth. The cure time for most all of these paints are a maximum of 24 hours.

These enamels are not of the oil kind such as 1-Shot, but of the acrylic kind, so the curing time is kept at a minimum.

Now if you are talking lacquers or enamels from the early 70's which didn't use any catalysts, outgassing could be a problem. But that was then, and this is now.

I'm sure Dave Grundy can vouch for my explanation as he at one time owned a body shop and we have had numerous conversations on this subject.

Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :

Thanks for all the info. I guess my main concern was not so much outgassing as it is another problem that I've heard can happen. I was at a seminar where a very experienced vinyl man did a demo at another show. He put some vinyl on a new car borrowed from a dealership. He was allowed to demo vinyl application for a graphic job that would be left on after the show.

He put some vinyl on and when he went to pull it off, paint came off with it. Afterward he discovered that the car had been damaged while being unloaded at the dealership and had a section repainted. (Before the days of basecoat / clearcoat) He thus warned of putting vinyl on too soon after painting. [Confused]

I guess I'll tell the guy to wait a week before we do the job. He's not in a big hurry and I'll feel better in case I make a mistake. [Roll Eyes]

By the way Joey, my definition of out gassing is the result of eating too many burritos. [Razz]

[ March 31, 2003, 08:38 PM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]

Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :

Dave, the new car you mention (repaired panel) it was more likely a adhesion problem creatsd by the painter in charge of refinishing.
Maybe not sanded enough or cleaned properly.

Just my experience from years of auto painting.

Roger [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :

Thanks Roger. Just goes to show how one cannot believe everything one hears and thorough testing should be done vs. assumptions. With this many responses from all your experience, I can now letter the truck with confidence.

Thanks again everyone.

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