i have a customer who needs a sign quickly with a busy background...paint background color, then mask and paint design...well i had to use latex because of the time restraints...my question is...now my board is as smooth as 400 grit sand paper...so i was wondering if there is a clear coat for latex that will make it glass shiney and smooth...can you roll apoxy??will it crack and peel in a year? i know it's a lot to ask but i was just wondering...luckily the name only has 4 letters.
[ May 07, 2003, 08:31 AM: Message edited by: KARYN BUSH ]
Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
Minwax makes an oil base clear for outdoor exposure, like on those upscale wood doors on upscale house that have to endure harsh weather.
Just FYI we have been able to lay down 100% acrylic latex and have it smooth as a baby's bottom. (we even paint vinyl with latex to get the right color match, and we cant scratch it off.) Its got to be the good stuff. Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Karyn,
I don't have an answer to your latex/clear coat question, but I hope you don't mind taking a suggestion from me for the "next time".
Actually, since you have some added time into this job now, perhaps you'd just want to try this suggestion in this case.
Add a wee bit of Japan Dryer to your One Shot paint, it'll quicken your dry times with it.
Cheers girl! Sounds like an interesting job. Nettie
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Karyn....don't use epoxy for an outdoor finish! It is not noted for exterior durability...unless it is loaded with UV blockers.
Want a nice glossy finish? Use a gloss latex, or, a clear acrylic. Most paint companies sell a latex clear in gloss or flat.
Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
Im sure there's a quick-dry clear enamel out there that will do the trick. Try your local TRUE VALUE.
Posted by Artisan Signs (Member # 3146) on :
Dave, what's your secret to smooth latex? Spray? Roll? Type? etc etc, Thanks, Bob K.
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
Latex is a better alternative to enamel in many cases. Exterior latex housepaint has a 25 year lifespan.
Latex rolled on sometimes has a pebble finish, but that shouldn't matter from a distance. Add "Flowtrol" and it will smooth out a little more.
Don't bother with clears. They will never hold up as long as latex will. The whole point of using latex is it's life span. And it's fast drying nature, resistance to fading, cheaper cost and water clean up aren't bad features either.
Posted by Bill&Jane Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
First of all, why does it NEED to be glossy? We use 100% acrylic-latex in a satin finish ALL the time as it holds up better than 1-shot and we LIKE the satin finish. I agree with the comment above about the glossy latex, although generally these finishes are harder to roll and should be sprayed. You may experience difficulty getting masks to stick to your background coat. A clear coat is unnecessary on an acrylic-latex finish. Clears have their own problems and usually don't last as long as pigmented finishes. The best clears are acrylic-urethane automotive clears. For great results and a long lasting glossy finish use House of Colors Urethane Lettering and Striping Enamels. These paints have a catalyst when you are not clearing over them and can be brushed or sprayed with some practice. The paint bonds like crazy to automotive finishes as well as vinyl. Also look into Matthews Paints. Urethane paints are more expensive than acrylic latex and have a high solvent content, so you need to take precautions. They actually dry faster than acrylic latex paints and can be cleared over almost immediately with just about any clear. I have tried virtually every clear on the face of the earth and found that most of these crack and peel long before the pigmented surface they're designed to protect. The exception is automotive clears. That is why we've learned to like satin acrylic latex finishes. Bill
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
thanks all...i wanted it all smooth and glossy because i didn't think the vinyl would stick...finished it so hopefully the letters will stay on...i personally prefer the finish of oil based enamels on my work...but i do like the clean up of latex.
[ May 07, 2003, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: KARYN BUSH ]
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Karyn, Try spraying your next one with high gloss acrylic latex and an HVLP gun. Thin your latex with a little water or floetrol. Smooth as a baby's bottom.
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
Ive been using latex paints for all my backgrounds for quite some time now. They last much longer than enamel does. Use a good brand such as Porter, or Gary Andersons Rhino paint. Both coat out very well, and look great. You shouldnt have any trouble with the letters sticking Karyn.
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