Need advice from any Envirotex experts out there

[dlazzarini]

I’ve been fiddling around with the epoxy on some test boxes and I’ve got to the point where I can get it applied real purdy. Problem I’m running into is that it doesn’t play very nice with water slide decals when it comes to A) drilling, B) cleaning out pre-drilled holes. I’ve tried it a number of different ways being ultra careful but I seem to be getting the same results. Seems like the epoxy doesn’t bond well with the decal and I get separation like an air bubble between the decal and the epoxy. I doubt it’s the decal pulling free because the separation appears between the two. I tried drilling a hole on part of the box with no decal and got great results. I’ve tried on epoxy that I tested 6 months ago and some I did 4 days ago, same thing. So what are your secrets if there are any. I really like the way it looks but if this is an inherent flaw that can’t be remedied I don’t want to deal with it.

 

[BurntFingers]

Maybe drill from the other side?

 

[dlazzarini]

Maybe drill from the other side?

Yep. Tried that one as well. That end up worse

 

[Nostradoomus]

That stuff always sounded like an expensive hassle to me. I just brush polyurethane on mine and call it a day. I don’t use decals though.

 

[dlazzarini]

That stuff always sounded like an expensive hassle to me. I just brush polyurethane on mine and call it a day. I don’t use decals though.

That stuff always sounded like an expensive hassle to me. I just brush polyurethane on mine and call it a day. I don’t use decals though.

I originally thought the same thing but re-visited it. After a couple tries I found a method that was pretty easy and consistent. It looks great and I could potentially do a ton of pedals A little goes a long ways but if this bonding thing is an inherent problem with no fix it ain’t worth it to me. What kind of polyurethane do you use? Does it self level and how hard is your finish? I get great results with rat-l-can enamel rubbed and polished out but it lacks a little in the hardness department. I don’t like that.

 

[Nostradoomus]

It’s self leveling Ace brand. It seems pretty durable but I haven’t given it the drop test haha

 

[Barry]

I use rattle can, works for me, but I'm not picky!

 

[Barry]

I’ve been fiddling around with the epoxy on some test boxes and I’ve got to the point where I can get it applied real purdy. Problem I’m running into is that it doesn’t play very nice with water slide decals when it comes to A) drilling, B) cleaning out pre-drilled holes. I’ve tried it a number of different ways being ultra careful but I seem to be getting the same results. Seems like the epoxy doesn’t bond well with the decal and I get separation like an air bubble between the decal and the epoxy. I doubt it’s the decal pulling free because the separation appears between the two. I tried drilling a hole on part of the box with no decal and got great results. I’ve tried on epoxy that I tested 6 months ago and some I did 4 days ago, same thing. So what are your secrets if there are any. I really like the way it looks but if this is an inherent flaw that can’t be remedied I don’t want to deal with it.

Maybe seal the waterslide with the rattle can stuff first and drill the enclosure before anything, then you can just clean the holes with an exacto

 

[dlazzarini]

It’s self leveling Ace brand. It seems pretty durable but I haven’t given it the drop test haha

Does it pass the fingernail test? And the yellowing test? If so I may give it a go

 

[dlazzarini]

I use rattle can, works for me, but I'm not picky!

I agree, I get great results with the clear enamel but I am picky, lol. I polish it all the way down to 5000 grit so it’s like a mirror but to me it seems to lack a bit in the hardness department.

 

[dlazzarini]

Maybe seal the waterslide with the rattle can stuff first and drill the enclosure before anything, then you can just clean the holes with an exacto

This ones been rolling around in my head

 

[Barry]

I agree, I get great results with the clear enamel but I am picky, lol. I polish it all the way down to 5000 grit so it’s like a mirror but to me it seems to lack a bit in the hardness department.

I don't really gig anymore, so for around the house and maybe over to a buddy's house I have no issue with it holding up, and I spray it and forget it

 

[Nostradoomus]

Does it pass the fingernail test? And the yellowing test? If so I may give it a go

I just dug my thumbnail into my Deflector build and yeah, nothin! It hasn’t yellowed as far as I can tell but it hasn’t been long.

 

[dlazzarini]

I just dug my thumbnail into my Deflector build and yeah, nothin! It hasn’t yellowed as far as I can tell but it hasn’t been long.

Thanks for testing. I think I’m gonna hit Ace on the way home from work tomorrow and give it a whirl