Full Version: One-part UV Cure for Outdoor
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7]
6 Nov 2006
To: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#6] 6 Nov 2006
Absolute perfection is proving a bit elusive, but I'm getting very respectable results.
The smallest amount of the material RBC will sell, is 1 quart, which costs about $82 and change.
The 2 oz. sample I was sent, was almost enough to do my initial order. :-)
I'm going ahead and buying a quart. If I can conquer the dragon, I'll use it on name badges etc.
In any case, I've built enough profit into the current project to more than cover the cost of the quart.
From: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#8]
6 Nov 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7] 6 Nov 2006
OK, now for the questions.
Is this like using the UV doming product or a different procedure?
And whats the shelf life?
Thanks,
Puck
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#9]
6 Nov 2006
To: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#8] 8 Nov 2006
It's just like using traditional UV cure epoxy, with the exception that you can't use a flame torch to eliminate air bubbles.
I haven't put that aspect to the test, but this material is flammable, with a flash point of 200 degrees.
Shelf life is reputed to be 6 months, but 3 months is said to be within the "sweet spot" before thickening changes the characteristics.
That would mean the material may not lay down as easily or as smoothly, leading to a "lumpy" surface.
EDITED: 6 Nov 2006 by DGL
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#10]
6 Nov 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#9] 6 Nov 2006
To extend the shelf life refrigerating it may help. Try a little and see if it does not destroy the stuff first. Most chemicals will last over four times as long at 49* F than at 72* F. A few just will not tolerate the cold. Check the spec sheet.
A lot of UV cures will take prolonged times at 100* also. I would not heat it all, but the small amount that you will use. It thins out the goop and reduces the surface tension so bubbles pop a lot sooner and rise to the surface faster. In theory it probably will make the UV cure a little faster. (If that increase in speed is a small percentage of the time to cure or a large percentage depends on the material. (Added energy, faster reaction time.)
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#11]
6 Nov 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#10] 6 Nov 2006
Makes sense.
One thing I noticed, whether real or imagined, is the material seems to be more scratch resistant.
From: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#12]
8 Nov 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#11] 8 Nov 2006
How bad are the air bubbles? Cure time? Outside use, stay clear?
Puck
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#13]
8 Nov 2006
To: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#12] 8 Nov 2006
Brief outdoor testing says the urethane is staying clear, as opposed to traditional epoxy doming, which can yellow in a very short amount of time.
Curing time (UV exposure unit) depending on the height of the dome is about 20 minutes - similar to epoxy.
From: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#14]
8 Nov 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#13] 8 Nov 2006
Hmmm...I did a dog tag with the UV epoxy I got from Deco and hung it outside about 4 months ago. It turned a light yellow within a week but has held up other than that. Has gone through 17 to 100+ degree days to all day rain and wind. I used a ballchain and put it on to our BQ so that it gets lots of abuse. I'm really surprised that it has done as well as it has but the yellowing is a big problem and getting the epoxy to hold to the aluminum has really been a challenge.
Do you have a part number for the stuff your using to use when ordering?
Thanks,
Puck
From: LipChip [#15]
8 Nov 2006
To: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#14] 8 Nov 2006
Hello Puck,
Did any of my UV glazed products I did for you turn yellow? In over 16 years of the glazes being used, we have never heard of a yellow problem. I know it's not UV epoxy, but it's a great forever outside domed product.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
8 Nov 2006
To: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#14] 8 Nov 2006
UV-2345-E
From: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#17]
8 Nov 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16] 8 Nov 2006
Thanks.
Let me know how they continue to work out, especially if you place one out side and applied on aluminum.
Puck
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18]
8 Nov 2006
To: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#17] 8 Nov 2006
I'll let you know how it goes.
You may want to send for a sample. No cost, and it will help answer some of your questions, regarding the nuances of working with it.
From: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#19]
8 Nov 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18] 8 Nov 2006
I found where you had given a number for where you got your sample but didn't find a website, do they have one?
Thanks,
Puck
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#20]
8 Nov 2006
To: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#19] 29 Jan 2007
http://www.rbcepoxy.com/