I'm thinning Nazdar screen printing ink with VF 180 thinner to spray on vinyl film. The result is a matte finish. Is there a way to retain or restore a gloss finish.
Also, I've seen Rick do step-by-steps where the ink was rolled on to make a blend. How does he keep the vinyl from cooking?
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
Sound as if the ink is drying as it's coming out of the airbrush ... especially if your trying to mist it on. I use the RE180 (retarder) to thin so it goes on a bit wetter. You could clear it to bring back gloss.
My guess about rolling is that he's using and enamel that lays on top (after tie-coating or on receptive vinyl)
Posted by Penny Baugh (Member # 3275) on :
What clear?
Posted by Robb Lowe (Member # 2121) on :
This may be a dumb question, but could you be a little more specific of the ink your using? is ig "GV" series, or 9700 series?
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Either the thinner is too "fast" for your environment and the ink is drying before it hits the vinyl, or you're spraying a bit on the light side (dust coats give you rough surface) or you're not using the GV "Gloss Vinyl" series inks.
Even with the GV inks the gloss is good for most things but if you're looking for a really bright gloss that squeaks when you drag your finger over it, you'll need to use the Nazdar clear (think it's a urethane) or an automotive clear.
Posted by Penny Baugh (Member # 3275) on :
I've got the GV ink. I'm using an airbrush to do flames (more like "swooshes"). I'm sure I'm going more toward a dusting of ink, but I'm trying to avoid melting the vinyl. I don't really get a shine when I use the gun either, though. I could be using too much thinner.
Won't the clear go on matte as well if I thin and spray it? or is it thinner than the ink?
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Sounds like you're just sprayin a bit light Penny, grab a scrap piece of vinyl and experiment with how much ink you can lay down at once.
I've laid down a ton of ink with an HVLP gun in the past and didn't melt the vinyl, and remember when they're used in screenprinting there's a pretty good coat of ink going down at once to cover the material in one shot.
