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What should I use? I saw a lot a references to Smith's Cream. I have no SC, and I'm on a time crunch, anything else I could use? I though about West Sytem Epoxy, but there are no UV blockers, and I would fear it would break down quickly. Suggestions? Thanks in advance, Bob
-------------------- "The 3-4 minute mark of "Freewill" by Rush.
Bob Kaschak Artisan Sign And Design Peru New York Posts: 1898 | From: Upstate NY | Registered: Jul 2002
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If you can find it, Jack's Cream can be used instead of Smith's cream but only for black smalts as it is darker in color.
West System epoxy should work. I'm not sure how much paint should be mixed into the West System epoxy. I know the UV unstability of West System will darken the epoxy ALOT, but I'm not sure if it actually breaks down. Regardless, it should be coverd in smalts anyway. What I fear the most with West System is the quicknes of the set. I have West System with the slow hardner and I wouldn't think of using it for smalts on a sign of any decent size.
A much better choice would be Dura Finish from SignFoam or PB Resin from Precision Board. These epoxies are much more UV resistant, they are proven to work with paint mixed in, and they will give you a much longer working time for application, probably much like the lettering enamel / Smith's Cream method.
Actually the extra cost of the resin will easily be offset by the speed of applying the resin with a spout bottle as supplied in the kit.
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As always we seem to be on a time crunch.... i have used the smiths cream and 1 shot mixture with "mixed" results! just last weekend saw a product at a friends place he got from canadian sign craftres. This is no plug for anyone or the other but i'd take my chances there this time....actually intended to try it next time. The hide glue and epoxy mixes would be lower on my list although the slow harener with the appropriate colour mixed in and some micro fiber just might work. The mix alone would be very brittle and for that reason would be lower on my list! Just an opinion!
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I've always used just plain screen enamel that is the same color as the smalts. I have some that have been up over 15 years that were done this way. Lay the sign flat, pour the screen enamel on and spread it around. Pour the smalts on and let set overnight. In the morning turn sign over and dump off the excess. Works for me!
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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