posted
just got the go ahead for hand painting lettering/graphics on 6 large sumbrella awnings for two major franchises that will be coexisting in the same space . i have painted a lot of awnings over the past 25 years.... and my approach has been to paint the first coat of all the painted areas (be they graphics or lettering) with one shot black poster color (this acts as a primer/sealer and also prevents topcoat colors from showing through the back of canvas. i then apply at least two coat of final color..sometimes three,so when completed i have 3 or 4 layers of paint on top of a flexable material. i have never had any problems using this method of appling paint to canvas, but on a few of my test samples i done over the years when i fold the fabric the paint cracks because its so thick. of course once the material is attached to its frame there is no bending or folding going on and everything seems to be fine and i've had some work up for a long time without any problems, but i somethimes am concerned when they are sewing the panels together and handling the fabric so much that crackes could develop. so ... what is my question ? is there a more flexable paint with more elasticity than one shot ? is there a better way to be doing this? thanks for all replies........vance
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Vince....the only paint we've ever used on canvas awnings is Textile Paint over the white basecoat. It won't crack and keeps is brilliance.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net OR www.stmariegraphics.com PEACE, through superior chisel-power! We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Check out Nazdar's Permaflex Ink. I use it in conjuction with a vinyl mask. So far, I'm had no failures in 8 years. No priming or sealing is required. It will not bleed through the fabric regardless of how thick you apply it. Just one or two coats will do it. You can even apply the second coat while the first coat is still wet. It won't affect it. It is solvent based and takes about 24 hours to dry thoroughly based on temperature and humidity. The inks can also be tinted with lettering enamel with no negative effects.
I hope this helps.
------------------ Compost Happens!
Design is Everything! Glenn Taylor in beautiful North Carolina
Design is Everything! 
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