[sdiy] Front Panel Graphics at Home? `~~`

[Paul Higgins]

On Saturday 29 July 2006 10:35, you wrote:
> I'd be nervous about using this method because I'd worry that the paper or
> contact paper will lift off the front panel after a few years.  How long's
> it been since you started doing this?

This is why you need a really tough clearcoat, like the Krylon clear epoxy.  
Unfortunately, I got confirmation from the Krylon people that the clear epoxy 
enamel is a discontinued product.  Here's part of the email I got from them:

"Thank you for taking the time to contact us.  We no longer carry an Epoxy
Enamel clear coat.  In our contractor line of paints, we do produce an All
Surface Enamel clear (#5811)...   

"...Wal-Mart, K-Mart, ACE Hardware, Sherwin Williams, Michael's, Joanne Etc,
and Hobby Lobby Stores tend to carry the best selection of the Krylon
Product Line...

"...You may also order the Krylon Products through Ace Direct at 
1-800-441-4223 or on-line at www.acehotline.com.  NOTE:  You will need the 
product/color number of the aerosol paint to order from ACE Direct. You can 
purchase single or case quantities (6 per case)."

Once that contact paper is encapsulated in enough epoxy coating, I don't think 
it will be going anywhere.  However, you might try printing on glossy photo 
stock or some other material, and then clearcoating that; just be aware that 
you'll have to spray any inkjet printout with some kind of fixative (and let 
it dry completely) before using any clearcoat over it.  The solvents in most 
clearcoats are far too "hot" for the inks used in inkjet cartridges and they 
will run.

Also, using my technique, note that you need to cover a small amount of border 
area around the printed panel with the contact paper, so the paper cannot go 
right to the edge of the panel.  An alternative I haven't tried yet would be 
to laminate the paper with the clear contact material, and then glue that to 
the metal panel with Scotch "77" or similar.

-PRH

> >From: Paul Higgins <higg0008 at tc.umn.edu>
> >To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> >Subject: Re: [sdiy] Front Panel Graphics at Home? `~~`
> >Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:26:03 -0500
> >
> >Well, maybe this isn't so fast and easy, but it *is* pretty cheap...
> >
> >I've had luck with printing on good-quality artists' paper using an Epson
> >large-format inkjet (though probably any inkjet would work fine).  The
> >advantage of the large format is that you can use the larger sizes of
> >artists' paper, which makes laying out artwork for big projects more
> >convenient, and you don't have to worry about any seams showing.
> >
> >Glue the paper to the metal surface with some kind of contact cement
> >(3M/Scotch "77" spray adhesive seems to be popular on the list), cover
> > with clear plastic contact paper, and clearcoat.  I've found that since
> > the contact paper already has a matte finish, a gloss clearcoat actually
> > looks better than a more diffuse topcoat like satin or flat.
> >
> >The hardest finish that I've found safe for everyday use is an epoxy
> >clearcoat
> >made by Krylon.  Unfortunately, it looks like this may no longer be
> >available, which is really too bad, as it had exceptional durability not
> >unlike the autobody clearcoats.  Also unlike the autobody clearcoats,
> > which are really quite dangerous even with the proper safety equipment,
> > the Krylon
> >epoxy was safe to use with just a standard respirator.  The alternatives
> > to the Krylon epoxy are the many brands of spray polyurethane, which are
> > quite durable but prone to ambering over time--this looks good on natural
> > wood but
> >not so hot on the kinds of colors you can get from an inkjet printer.
> >
> >HTH