posted March 23, 2005 08:00 PM
I sent off an email request for information to VolatileFree Inc www.volatilefree.com regarding their hard coat system for expanded polystyrene or sprayfoams. I first saw the ad in SignCraft and it intrigued me.
Today the supplier in Canada (based in Regina, Sask) gave me a call. He was helpful and offered a lot of information.
The product seems to be priced fairly reasonably. The gun for spraying runs $800 Canadian dollars... not cheap by any means. But the investment could easily pay for itself on a couple of small jobs by saving the hefty travel and set up charges I have to pay to get a commercial foam guy out here to do my work.
I'm still in the investigation stage, but I may have some work coming up which makes the investment worth while.
Has anyone else here used this system??
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted March 23, 2005 10:21 PM
Haven't used yet but I noticed that you can spray bedliners in color with the same gun. This seems like a good way to keep it busy.
i have a few gallons of the brush on VFI sitting here waiting to be applied to a faux brick pillar job. I'm still a few weeks out on doing that but I will try to post how it works.
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted March 24, 2005 11:39 AM
A couple of folks were kind enough to email me with information. One had limited experience with the system and the other directed me on to someone with LOTS of experience. A long distance call to Nebraska gave me the information I was seeking in exactly the applications we do here.
I look forward to hearing of Jerry's experience with the brush on VFI as I haven't heard any reports regarding that product.
Its great to have such a valuable resource as this website where we can get information about just about anything and folks happily share it with us.
I will be purchasing this sytem in the near future. And I'll no doubt use it on a project whcih will take it in new exciting direction. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures all the way through and post a how-to here so we all can learn exactly what this stuff is like to work with.
Thanks so much to the folks who took the time to reply to me in my quest for answers. I appreciate it!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted March 24, 2005 12:54 PM
What I would be interested in knowing is how much detail is lost on a carved styrofoam sign when sprayed. Also, what paints will adhere to the stuff. I've looked into it as well, and almost made the jump last year. I'm thinking some kind of spray booth / ventilation system would be required as well. I'd be real interested in how it works out, Dan.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
| IP: Logged |
I spoke to the rep regarding paints... and his advice is in accordance whith what I have heard from other professionals in regards to hardcoats.
They have a special primer which needs to be put on immediately as the hard coat recoat time window is short. Once it cures hard getting paint to stick is a problem. With the primer you have a repaint window of weeks instead of hours as I understand it.
Once the primer is on you can go with pretty much any paint and I asked specifically about the paints we intend to use and no problem in regard to acrylics.
If you spray indoors a spray booth would be a must... the overspray is NASTY stuff. I intend to use a premium mask and face gurad system and do it outdoors.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- "Are we having fun yet?" Peter Schuttinga DZines Sign Studio 1617 Millstream rd Victoria BC V9B-6G4 Posts: 521 | From: Victoria BC | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted March 29, 2005 03:32 PM
Dear Letterheads: Thank you all for your comments on our products. We designed this system with the smaller guy in mind. We are here to answer any questions you may have. 1-800-307-9218 ask for Mark Baum
The Qwik-Spray hard coat can be painted in 10 min. to 2hr. with no primer. 2hr to 8hr must be primed. Overnite, must be sanded and primed. As usual all priming and painting must be tested with your paint to confirm good adhesion.
The Qwik-Spray hardcoat sets up fast enough to not cover up fine texture. Thin coats and fine atomization will give you the best detail.
We are here for your calls from 8am to 4pm central time.
Thank you for your support on our product.
-------------------- Mark Baum Volatile Free Inc. 19500 Janacek Ct. Brookfield, WI 53045 (262) 787-0400 Posts: 2 | From: Brookfield, WI | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted March 29, 2005 04:30 PM
glad to see you here. thanks for posting.
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged |
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic