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Tech/FAQ
Application Methods: | Roller | HVLP Sprayer | Lumina Pro Series Rollcoaters/Dryers |
Both Aqua Jetcoat II and AquaCryl can be applied using short nap foam rollers, HVLP (high volume, low pressure) spray systems, rollcoaters or flood coaters depending on the media type you are using.
General rules:
- Clean equipment and preparation area is mandatory for good results. Be sure that the area is dust and smoke free. Make sure that the print's surface is free of contaminates such as oil, smoke or dust before lamination.
- Use a paint filter in a funnel to filter any unused laminate back into the original container (available at most paint supply stores)
- Lumina liquid laminates normally DO NOT require thinning but if required for a particular application, no more than 5% distilled water may be added then stirred in and let set for twenty minutes before use. Please contact our technical department for assistance on solutions to any viscosity or specialty applications.
- Satin and Matte laminates may require stirring or mixing to reconstitute the matting agent into the liquid as sitting for extended periods of time can cause the matting agent to settle to the bottom of the container. This is a normal condition for a water based laminate and is easily rectified by proper mixing. If you shake the container to re-dissolve the matting agent, let the laminate sit for 15 minutes to allow any trapped air or bubbles to escape.
- DO NOT mix Lumina products with any other product
- Minimum temperature of 60F or 15.6C degrees must be maintained.
- Inks MUST be dry or the lamination job will not cure properly. Both solvent and aqueous inks require at least 24 hours of drying time to properly flash off all solvents or water. Canvas and fine art papers which are used for aqueous pigmented inks that have less than perfect water resistance will require more dry time depending on room temperature and local humidity. Humidity levels of 70% + will require up to 50% longer drying and curing times.
- If applying more than one coat, wait at least six hours before applying the second coat or use an appropriate drying system such as the Lumina Pro Series Dryers.
- Aqua Jetcoat II that has been applied to vinyl (vehicle graphics films) requires 72 hours for full cure in order to be fully water and chemical resistant. The cure time can be reduced to 24 hours by using the Lumina Pro Series Dryers to accelerate curing.
- Lumina Pro Series Rollcoaters \Flood coaters provide a completely even and controlled film thickness and combined with the Lumina Pro Series Dryers, produce a perfect fast cure lamination on nearly all inkjet media.
- Short nap open structured foam rollers which are made for the application of water based paints or rollers especially designed for giclee media application can be used to apply Lumina liquid laminates on canvas, fine art papers and banner substrates. Care must be taken to not over apply the laminate as this can cause "roller marks" and cause slow cure times.
- Use roller application on WATER RESISTANT media and inkjet receptor coatings ONLY - HVLP spray or Lumina Pro Series Rollcoaters can be used on most non-water resistant media.
- Place the print on a smooth flat surface and for ease of application, tape or pin the print to the surface to hold in place.
- Use a clean paint tray and submerge the entire circumference of the roller in laminate then roll out the excess on the paint tray. Roll the laminate on using firm but even pressure, going back and forth in one plane (up and down or side to side but not both). DO NOT lift roller off the surface of the media, continue until surface is fully covered or until the roller has to be reloaded.
- Let the laminate "sit" for about one minute then using a non-loaded roller, lightly roll the complete surface, again without losing contact with the surface, to roll out any lines and to made sure the laminate is evenly dispersed on the surface.
- Place the coated print in a a dry, dust free area, we recommend using a drying box with racks and doors that can be closed to keep dust and foreign particles off the print until the laminate dries.
- Use a good quality HVLP sprayer system, either turbine or compressed air are suitable.
- Make sure there is a water and oil trap filters installed, inline, if using the compressed air version gun.
- Use a minimum 4 to 5 cfm compressor and 5 gallon (18.9L) tank for small and medium sized prints - larger prints may require a larger compress or larger air tank for proper operation of the spray gun.
- Use a 1.4 to 1.6mm needle and nozzle and gun manufacturer's recommended air pressure to the gun.
- Spray application requires a clean, well ventilated area or preferably a spray booth for proper application.
- Use an approved mask to keep from inhaling particulate and over spray. Follow all safety rules. Even though Lumina products are non-flammable and contain no harmful solvents, inhalation of resin particulate is not advised. Use an approved painters mask for the application of water based paint.
- Spray even, overlapping passes - do not over apply - one or two light coats followed by a "wet look" coat will provide the best results and total protection for your prints. Allow three hours between coats if air drying. Use of a Lumina Pro Series Dryer will allow immediate re-application.
- If air drying, let fine art paper prints dry for at least 12 hours before mounting and in the case of canvas, you may stretcher mount in 6 hours assuming room temperatures of 70F or 21C and humidity levels of 70% or less. Lower temperatures or higher humidity will require longer dry and cure times when air drying.
Lumina Pro Series Rollcoaters/Dryer Application
- Follow instruction manual for proper setup of the Lumina Pro Series Rollcoater and or Dryer machines. A clean environment is mandatory in order to provide proper results, do not use rollcoaters in a dusty or smoke filled area. Make sure that the print's surface is free of contaminates such as oil, smoke or dust before lamination.
- Laminated media can be immediately placed on the Lumina Pro Series Dryer conveyor table and dried at the appropriate speed and temperature for the media used. Please check your operators manual before using this equipment.
- Using the Lumina Pro Series Rollcoaters in combination with the Lumina Pro Series Dryers will produce a perfect finish on nearly all inkjet media and reduces cure times by up to 75%. For extremely fast cure times, two or more passed through the dryer tunnel will reduce total cure time to 12 hours, especially in highly humid conditions.
- Be sure to follow all safety regulations for accident free operation.
Thank you for your interest in the Lumina line of products and if you require further information, would like to talk with customer service or place and order for our products, please fill out our contact form found here>.