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Help! Any suggestions for getting a good smooth surface with acrylic latex for a background. Until now I have been a hold out for oil base paints but now need to go to acrylic latex on a project for multiple 4 x 8's. I'm on a learning curv and just can't seem to get the hang of the acrylic latex. Thanks for any tips about thinning (or not), application methods, etc. (Anybody ever heard of a "squeege" method?)
-------------------- Robert Graham Grahamsville Signs 1120 E McReavy Road Union, Washington 98592 360-898-2260 Fax 360-898-2262 e-mail:gvs@hctc.com Posts: 136 | From: Union,Washington - USA | Registered: Oct 1999
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Roll on the latex paint with a 3/8" nap roller cover and don't "tickle" it a bunch - just roll it on smoothly and jump back. The foam roller covers will leave too many bumps and bubbles.
The addition of a little Floetrol will slow down the drying some and give the paint a chance to settle out evenly. Don't coat out anything in the sun - it will dry too quickly. Usually it is not necessary to thin with water, but it doesn't really hurt anything if you do...depending on what brand of paint you use.
You will never achieve that hard, glass like finish with latex that you have been used to with enamels, but after a few months in the sun the enamel will look just like the latex.
Good luck.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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We get excellent results by spraying acrylic latex. I rarely use alkyd paints anymore. The latex doesn't fade as quickly as alkyd and also it doesn't oxidize leaving a chalky residue on the painted surface after a couple of years.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1292 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Ditto what Ray says, and paint with as few roller passes as possible. As soon as it looks smooth and even, stop, and don't go back and try to make it smoother. It will flow out smooth in a couple of minutes.
-------------------- Chuck Peterson Designs San Diego, CA Posts: 1078 | From: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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With an HVLP gun, 1.4 mm nozzle, thin about 10 to 12% with water and/or a little Floetrol. Just did one yesterday, no runs, and it's a smooth as a baby's behind. Let it cure thoroughly before applying vinyl.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7409 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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CAUTION...CAUTION...CAUTION ! There are now some Acrylic Latex Paints out there on the market that have been manufactures with a "Stain Resistant" feature. Typically, they seem to cure with a waxy film on the surface. AVOID THESE LIKE THE PLAGUE. They also resist further paint or vinyl application as well.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2690 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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I just don't know what to think any more. I have never had a sign painted with One Shot oxidize or get chalky. My first painted sign is almost 9 years old and still looks new. (Red, black, and white bank logo)
I read on this board that Benjamin Moore Impervex is a great paint. I had a client that gave me the custom colors they wanted their sandblasted sign painted with. They were BM colors so I thought fine, I'll use the BM stuff... several have said its great. The sign is in my shop right now, just 5 years later, so faded and washed out it looks like crap. And its looked this way for at least 2 years. Luckily they need a major copy change on the sign and will pay for the change and the refurbish job. They were not upset with me as they remembered who specified which paint to use.
So back to my original confusion. Why do some paints work so well for some, and so poorly for others? One Shot has NEVER failed me, and every and I mean EVERY other paint I've used has failed prematurely.
[ August 02, 2003, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
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