posted
I have never used Komotex before, & I am wondering if it is usable for an outdoor, airbrushed sign, screwed onto an exisiting wall. Airbrushed with One Shot or Ronan.
Thanks!
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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I think it'll get wavy in the summer and brittle in the winter so it's what I would call suitable for indoor work only. Dibond, Alupanel and such are better and you'll be glad you spent the extra twenty or whatever.
-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Generally speaking, Komatex is an interior product and Komacel would be more of an exterior product. But, for a long term project, I probably wouldn't use either of them outdoors.
If you're sold on using PVC, you might want to try Celtec, Ex-cel one of the other exterior rated PVC substrates. But, check with your supplier or the manufactures' website because the all have different grades of material that may or may not be suited for your application.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Komatex® is a excellent alternative to Sintra®.
Komatex® (compare to Sintra®): Material is closed-cell, expanded plastic, high-density poly vinyl chloride sheet. It is acid free and has minimal out gassing for Archival use. Sintra is a homogeneous material that allows the ease of cutting without regard for grain. At half the weight of solid PVC, may be stapled, nailed, riveted, glued, and thermoformed. Forming may be done on conventional forming machines. Because this material is not hydroscopic, it needs no drying pre-forming. It is available in 9 thickness' 1mm-13mm all thickness' are available in white, some thickness' are also available in black & colors. These foam sheets made of rigid FOAMED PVC are produced with a closed-cell matte surface. Komatex® can be compared to Sintra® because they have a regular, fine-celled foam structure and are light in weight. They conduct very little heat and thus provide excellent insulation.
Komatex® is suitable for printing, painting and lacquering and can be easily and economically worked with conventional tools. Due to their tough and rigid structure, they can be drilled and screwed without splitting. PVC foam can be bonded using Weld-On adhesives for vinyl.
Due to their weathering resistance, Komatex® sheets in white can be used for outdoor applications. They are particularly suitable for the advertising industry-for signs, displays and exhibition stands.
Komatex® PVC sheets have been approved for the "low flammability" class according to UL94 - V0. The advantageous size means that waste is kept to a minimum.
Cutting and Sawing - up to 3mm thick can be cut with a knife. Flat Sintra can be die cut with steel rule dies, warming the sintra slightly to achieve smooth edges.
Fastening - Screws or blind rivets can also be used. Remember to allow for substantial temperature changes; expands 0.05 mil/ft. per degree F.
Painting - Recommended paints are vinyl, acrylic lacquers and 2 part polyurethanes. Paint can be applied by brush, spray gun, roller, or dipping. Finishes should not be forced dried in an oven. Primers are not required if the surface is dry and clean. Silk Screen methods give excellent results and most printing inks used for rigid PVC give good results.
Forming - can be thermoformed, vacuum formed, or heat bent in a far shorter time than most conventional plastics.
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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KOMATEX can be sawed, drilled, bent and fabricated using ordinary (plastic) tools and fasteners. KOMATEX is manufactured to be used for interior and limited exterior applications. Can be heat bent and thermoformed In outdoor use, avoid printing or painting of large surface areas with dark colors. Colored sheets are not recommended for outdoors, due to possible fading and warpage
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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What size is the sign? I would use at least 1/2" or 3/4" thick material and check with your supplier to make sure it is not designed for indoors.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1266 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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OK. How much is it? It comes in 2x8s? Is it white?
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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From everything I have read, it says that the DARK colors are the problem in that they absorb the sun and that warps or discolors the material. I think if you painted the white a dark color it would have the same effect. I have seen the black PVC turn grey and almost curl at the edges but we haven't had any problems that I KNOW OF with the white. We use the thicker stuff outside though.
posted
Komatex, just like any other PVC material will expand and contract at a different rate than the backing it is attached to.
Drill oversized holes in the PVC, use larger washers and don't screw it down too tightly.
Let it "breathe"
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
I wouldn't risk it, even if the substrate was given to me for free. It can warp in our weather no matter what, and it's not that great of a surface to paint on. (I used to have a customer bring this to me for small signs, luckily he passed away and doesn't bring it anymore that's how bad I hate it) You'd be better off with dibond, omegabond, polymetal etc. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I think, for the size of the sign, if you use Dave's suggestions, you should not have a problem. Darker colors absorb heat from the sun, which can lead to warping, but used sparingly, it should be OK.
I would also personally put some kind of UV resistant clear over it (Sher-Klear, or Aqua Cote, etc..) to help it hold up, especially if you're using One Shot.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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And don't forget to wet the back unless you want special fx from static.
-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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So true about the static! Seeing the photo of the sign, with the dark airbrushing on it, I'm sure that it will warp. It's a pain to handletter (not sure about airbrush) It's better to use the right substrate for the job the first time than have to re-do it for free later on. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
I called her & asked her about it, she said it will not be out in the elements, it will be inside where no one can steal it. The place is only open in the summer.
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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Thank you Jill, you are right, so much work is going into the thing, I called her this morning to ask her AGAIN where it was going. I know one thing for sure- I will NEVER use this stuff again!
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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It is a great product for indoors and we use Sintra outside too but you have to be careful about the dark colors. They DO warp. It happened to us on a small sign. Since it is inside, you should be fine.
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted
I once made a sign that was inside a window that was 16" x 7' on a dark green and it warped real badly. Had it been white, it might still be there and fine.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6713 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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