lacquering in vinyls

[Spinksy]

Now I know the standard sanding, priming, painting, and lacquering process etc,

but I need to know how to go about applying a vinyl once the colour has hardened to be able to lacquer over it, so the colour acts in the same way as it normally would and the lacquer would hold the vinyl on and stop people peeling it off etc...

I already have the stickers, equipment and paint just need to know the process

kinda like this:

(apologies for stealing pics but I couldnt find many as examples)

 

[Simon@SprayShack]

In the picture above (non CF ones), we dont lacquer vinyls, we mask and air brush, which is harder to get super crisp, but much much better as you dont need alot of lacquer to level it out as the paint is only a 10's of microns, and of course you can do any colour. Often on the CF ones, you'll see theres a hell of alot of lacquer, not just for decals, but in getting rid of the weave, it spoils the shape of the bullet or objects........

2bh these days we dont do anything with lacquering over decals, normal 2k lacquer doesnt stick to bare vinyl all that well (or CF for that matter), and over time and the elements may fail......

HOWEVER! if i was doing it, id do it in stages........firstly get your base coat in place, lacquer your base coat and cure it, then flat and apply your decal (this protects your base coat while your p*ssing around with decal placement, which can be tricky to get right first time). Id then lacquer over the decal, 2 coats......cure, flat and repeat, building it up in stages........thus leveling it out.

You'll find if you need LOTS of lacquer (esp in one sitting), it will shrink back quite a bit (see VOC number of lacquer) and your decal wont be level in a few weeks!........take your time and you can get it 100% level, but if your not using a 2k lacquer id forget it........it wont have the build.






Cheers,
Simon @ SS

 

[Spinksy]

hmmmm......

easier to just stick the vinyl to the outside?

I'm just wanting to avoid the lacquer coming off the vinyl, or the vinyl coming off the gear stick insert etc

 

[rickyquicky]

In the picture above (non CF ones), we dont lacquer vinyls, we mask and air brush, which is harder to get super crisp, but much much better as you dont need alot of lacquer to level it out as the paint is only a 10's of microns, and of course you can do any colour. Often on the CF ones, you'll see theres a hell of alot of lacquer, not just for decals, but in getting rid of the weave, it spoils the shape of the bullet or objects........

2bh these days we dont do anything with lacquering over decals, normal 2k lacquer doesnt stick to bare vinyl all that well (or CF for that matter), and over time and the elements may fail......

HOWEVER! if i was doing it, id do it in stages........firstly get your base coat in place, lacquer your base coat and cure it, then flat and apply your decal (this protects your base coat while your p*ssing around with decal placement, which can be tricky to get right first time). Id then lacquer over the decal, 2 coats......cure, flat and repeat, building it up in stages........thus leveling it out.

You'll find if you need LOTS of lacquer (esp in one sitting), it will shrink back quite a bit (see VOC number of lacquer) and your decal wont be level in a few weeks!........take your time and you can get it 100% level, but if your not using a 2k lacquer id forget it........it wont have the build.


Cheers,
Simon @ SS

In addition to what you said Simon, I would also say never put aerosol or high solvent paints near vinyl, such as lacquer out of a spray can.

The high solvent content reacts with and shrinks vinyl, and will make it lift off and go wrinkly.

Btw, those bullets in the 1st/2nd pics look top notch!

 

[Simon@SprayShack]

Yep thats a good point Ricky!.


The decals are very durable on large stickers, get them made up in premium quality exterior vinyl and i doubt they will shift. However if its a gear stick lettering personally i wouldnt use any decals......one heavy handed moment and good bye small decal. I have about 7 gear inserts in stock lol, if you wanted to tell me the color combo, id do you one mate for pretty cheap (sprayed on).......should match to what you going to do if its a simple colour, offers there anyway.

Cheers,
Si

In addition to what you said Simon, I would also say never put aerosol or high solvent paints near vinyl, such as lacquer out of a spray can.

The high solvent content reacts with and shrinks vinyl, and will make it lift off and go wrinkly.

Btw, those bullets in the 1st/2nd pics look top notch!

 

[Spinksy]

Yep thats a good point Ricky!.


The decals are very durable on large stickers, get them made up in premium quality exterior vinyl and i doubt they will shift. However if its a gear stick lettering personally i wouldnt use any decals......one heavy handed moment and good bye small decal. I have about 7 gear inserts in stock lol, if you wanted to tell me the color combo, id do you one mate for pretty cheap (sprayed on).......should match to what you going to do if its a simple colour, offers there anyway.

Cheers,
Si

I'm doing the gear stick insert, dash strips (with airbag vinyl) and personalised bullets...

but the colours are Gold (the same colour gold as my wheels) as the base colour and the decals/airbrushing in black