Glossy Sticker Paper for Pedal Graphics

digi2t · May 15, 2015, 11:22:57 AM

I have a Smoder Audio Fuzz Drive Proto. They used a clear vinyl type decal, covering the top of the enclosure. It looks nice... except,

As you can see, the decal has a tendency to bubble and lift where a couple of the nuts/washers are concerned (upper right side). They should have perhaps punched holes in the decal, a touch larger than the nuts, and past on the washers. There's no clear over it.

I've had decent results with plain ol' photo paper as well. Like mentioned before for the clear, a couple of LIGHT coats is necessary to set everything up. I used 3M 77 Spray Tack adhesive to stick them on.

Kipper4 · May 15, 2015, 12:54:39 PM

15 switches geez Dino. Good job.

digi2t · May 15, 2015, 08:00:28 PM

Quote from: Kipper4 on May 15, 2015, 12:54:39 PM
15 switches geez Dino. Good job.

I think that's why I bought it.

That, and it's the only one they ever made. I'm gonna have to trace that sucka one day.

canman · May 15, 2015, 08:04:38 PM

I *think* it's been 24 hours since I sprayed on the last coat of triple thick glaze, and I can still dent the glaze with my fingernail...so not quite rock hard, probably sprayed on too thick of a coat somewhere along the way.

The finish after the first hour would take my finger print, so at least it isn't doing that now, haha! I also got curious and tossed the pedal in the oven at about 120F...I think a combination of heat and a thick coat caused some bubbling. So next time around, I think I'll make sure the sticker is on really good, and just stick with a few light coats until it gets nice and glassy.

karbomusic · May 15, 2015, 08:26:49 PM

QuoteI think a combination of heat and a thick coat caused some bubbling

Take a close look to see if you can find the cause. The only times I ever get bubbling is when there is a sticker underneath. In my case, I think it is the toner ink melting and causing it because it only occurs where my waterslide has ink when it bubbles. If there is no sticker/ink, no bubbles. I usually cover the entire surface with a single waterslide and still the only place it will bubble is where the ink is. However, if I bake the same waterslide before I put gloss on, it doesn't bubble with no gloss there so it appears to be releasing some type of vapor which actually causes the bubbling.

digi2t · May 15, 2015, 08:28:03 PM

How's about this?

http://liquidglasscoating.com/table-top-epoxy-resin/

I used something similar on my fabric covered RG body.

If you want "rock hard", this is the stuff. Don't know how it will react with your substrate though. You would have to do some tests.

canman · May 15, 2015, 09:12:00 PM

Quote from: karbomusic on May 15, 2015, 08:26:49 PM
QuoteI think a combination of heat and a thick coat caused some bubbling

Take a close look to see if you can find the cause. The only times I ever get bubbling is when there is a sticker underneath. In my case, I think it is the toner ink melting and causing it because it only occurs where my waterslide has ink when it bubbles. If there is no sticker/ink, no bubbles. I usually cover the entire surface with a single waterslide and still the only place it will bubble is where the ink is. However, if I bake the same waterslide before I put gloss on, it doesn't bubble with no gloss there so it appears to be releasing some type of vapor which actually causes the bubbling.

Yeah, I should have mentioned...it was the actual finish bubbling, but a little bit of air underneath my sticker that escaped. I wonder if baking it even helped, to be honest.

Tony Forestiere · May 15, 2015, 10:07:57 PM

Quote from: digi2t on May 15, 2015, 08:28:03 PM
How's about this?

I used something similar on my fabric covered RG body.

If you want "rock hard", this is the stuff. Don't know how it will react with your substrate though. You would have to do some tests.

Very nicely done.

karbomusic · May 16, 2015, 12:33:13 AM

Quote from: digi2t on May 15, 2015, 08:28:03 PM
How's about this?

http://liquidglasscoating.com/table-top-epoxy-resin/

Just for the academic benefit of everyone. That is basically what Envirotex is. I'll add that I love the stuff. I haven't used any as of late but that is only because I've been in a bit of a hurry and one has to be very attentive to the sides. However, it's like wrapping the pedal with 50 coats of clear rock.

digi2t · May 16, 2015, 07:57:21 AM

^ Nice!

bloxstompboxes · May 16, 2015, 10:47:40 AM

Quote from: karbomusic on May 15, 2015, 08:26:49 PM
QuoteI think a combination of heat and a thick coat caused some bubbling

Take a close look to see if you can find the cause. The only times I ever get bubbling is when there is a sticker underneath. In my case, I think it is the toner ink melting and causing it because it only occurs where my waterslide has ink when it bubbles. If there is no sticker/ink, no bubbles. I usually cover the entire surface with a single waterslide and still the only place it will bubble is where the ink is. However, if I bake the same waterslide before I put gloss on, it doesn't bubble with no gloss there so it appears to be releasing some type of vapor which actually causes the bubbling.

I think what is happening there is you're not getting all the water out from underneath the decal before baking it. That is the source of the vapor. I had that issue with my first few decals, and after I worked at a it for a while, I narrowed it down to that.

karbomusic · May 16, 2015, 12:33:02 PM

Quote from: bloxstompboxes on May 16, 2015, 10:47:40 AM

I think what is happening there is you're not getting all the water out from underneath the decal before baking it. That is the source of the vapor. I had that issue with my first few decals, and after I worked at a it for a while, I narrowed it down to that.

90% of the surface area has no toner and no bubbles, only where toner is. However, the toner is somewhat porous so I can't rule it out. I can't remember if I prebaked the ones it occurred with (post label, pre gloss) so I'll pay closer attention when I do the next pedal. That could be it.

LightSoundGeometry · May 17, 2015, 10:29:53 AM

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hey, this stuff is supposed to bond to aluminum?

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/3-ounce-candy-red-spray-enamel-270405/

"is fast drying, easy to apply and can be used on many kinds of surfaces."

shoot , the stuf i have is spray on lacquer not enamel..cant find it online ...seems one box, lime is bonded and the purpleliscious wont bond, scratched off easily

LightSoundGeometry · May 17, 2015, 10:44:19 AM

Quote from: LightSoundGeometry on May 17, 2015, 10:29:53 AM
---------------------------

hey, this stuff is supposed to bond to aluminum?

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/3-ounce-candy-red-spray-enamel-270405/

"is fast drying, easy to apply and can be used on many kinds of surfaces."

shoot , the stuf i have is spray on lacquer not enamel..cant find it online ...seems one box, lime is bonded and the purpleliscious wont bond, scratched off easily

I think I know why..I stopped "etching" teh metal because i had been buying some 2n1 with the primer in the paint. I think I skipped a step

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Glossy Sticker Paper for Pedal Graphics