Clear Coat

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highpockets
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Clear Coat

Post by highpockets »

I'm trying an experiment, I'm making a sign with some box store blue foam board. It's carved and I'm in the process of spraying on the base coat. The sign will be spray painted with acrylic paint. The problem is I need a clear coat that will produce a hard surface that will protect the paint as well as prevent damage to the foam board base.

I need suggestions for a clear coat that will produce a nice hard coating.
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ger21
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Re: Clear Coat

Post by ger21 »

You typically want to put a hard coating on before paint. I don't think you'll find anything that will really add hardness, without a LOT of coats, which itself is not really a good idea.
Your best bet would maybe be water based poly.
Gerry - http://www.thecncwoodworker.com

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Re: Clear Coat

Post by mezalick »

How about using FoamCoat ?
http://us.rosco.com/en/product/foamcoat

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highpockets
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Re: Clear Coat

Post by highpockets »

Gerry & Michael, thanks for your replies. Being this is my first shot at working with foam of course I had to do things backwards :D :D :D I know now I should have put a hard coat on the foam before painting. It looks like FoamCoat will work for me in the future. I'm past that point with this project (unless it comes out a complete failure :oops: ). Right now I'm looking at going with a clear Epoxy coating.
More to follow on this project.....
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Re: Clear Coat

Post by redwood »

If this sign is going outside, most epoxies are not UV resistant and even if they are, they will probably yellow to some degree.
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highpockets
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Re: Clear Coat

Post by highpockets »

redwood wrote:If this sign is going outside, most epoxies are not UV resistant and even if they are, they will probably yellow to some degree.
Thanks, but the sign is for the front of a reception desk inside. It shouldn't get too much sunlight.
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Re: Clear Coat

Post by Craig Thompson »

Do you think an epoxy resin could work. It will be hard and glossy.

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Re: Clear Coat

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Craig Thompson wrote:Do you think an epoxy resin could work. It will be hard and glossy.
That's the direction I'm leaning....
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Re: Clear Coat

Post by Olle »

I'm looking for suitable materials to make some indoor signs, so what kind of foam is it and how are you cutting it?

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Re: Clear Coat

Post by highpockets »

Olle wrote:I'm looking for suitable materials to make some indoor signs, so what kind of foam is it and how are you cutting it?
Don't go by what I'm doing just yet, this is an experiment... I'm using a 4x8 sheet of blue insulation Dow Styrofoam from one of the big box stores.

I've made some mistakes in handling this project (it's an experiment), when I get the final project done I'll report on my findings.

As for what I used to cut the foam with, I used ball nose cutters to shape it and an end mill to cut it out. Nothing special. I did learn (the hard way) to remove the plastic film covering on the face of the sheet. In my test cut the film melted to my cutter and made a big mess of both the cut and the bit.

The parts of the sign have been primered and painted now just waiting for the paint to cure before applying the clear coat. So far I'm happy with the results just not the procedures for getting here....
2017-10-21 14.27.45.jpg
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Re: Clear Coat

Post by Makingtoothpicks »

Do let us know when you get it worked out. I have tried the BBS foam and could
not get a smooth finish like you show. I know it cuts easy leaves a mess. I tried
a couple of things but could not get a smooth finish.

Don

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Re: Clear Coat

Post by mezalick »

Looks really nice...
Just a note.
Lets not confuse the blue or pink foam sold in the big box stores with HDU.
Yes, HDU is really expensive when compared to the other foam material but has it's value.
Now, with that said and from what I see here....I may need to rethink the type of foam used.. but I don't think I could get the same great results..

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highpockets
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Re: Clear Coat

Post by highpockets »

Lot of work from CNC to paint....
2017-09-13 21.29.50.jpg
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highpockets
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Re: Clear Coat

Post by highpockets »

mezalick wrote:Looks really nice...
Just a note.
Lets not confuse the blue or pink foam sold in the big box stores with HDU.
Yes, HDU is really expensive when compared to the other foam material but has it's value.
Thanks for the clarification Michael.

HDU isn't easy to find around here, or I should say I've had a hard time finding it. So I decided to try something different.

If I was trying to do this all the time HDU would be my choice....
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Re: Clear Coat

Post by sseale »

Really clean machining. Is that the regular 15psi Dow board? Was thinking of trying some of the higher rated (underslab, load bearing) 80-100psi blue board and OwensFoamular Pink H100 but if the 15psi is producing this result then no real need!

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