Stanely's Sign & Screen Supply
Stanely's Sign & Screen Supply
 
 
ClearShieldŽ Clear Liquid Laminate

ClearShieldŽ is your first choice for all non-water-sensitive applications. We created ClearShieldŽ using state-of-the-art resins and ultraviolet inhibitors that protect the substrate, ink, and the clear coating itself. These non-yellowing clear coatings have excellent exterior durability and are highly flexible.

Use ClearShieldŽ on most substrates, including waterproof canvas, vinyl, banners, fiberglass, wood, metal, plastic, and paper. You can apply it over solvent-based inks and most water-based paint systems. ClearShieldŽ is available in several versions. The chart below gives you information about each product.

 
   
 
ClearShieldŽ Specifications:
Use Instead of Film Laminates Easy Clean-Up With Soap And Water
Contains State-Of-The-Art UV Inhibitors Excellent for Non-Water-Sensitive Inks, Media, Materials, and Products
High-Performance and Highly-Flexible Available In 4 Finishes: Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Matte, 20% Satin
Waterproof Digital Output: Solvent Based Ink, Electrostatic, Thermal, Pigmented Ink
Will Not Yellow Packaging: Quarts, Gallons, Five-Gallon Pails, 55 Gallon Drums
   
     
 

Version

Properties

How to Apply

Finish

ClearShield Original

Thickest film build. Suitable for vertical applications. Recommended for Eco-Sol Inks.

Spray, pad or foam applicator, roller.

gloss semi-gloss matte

ClearShield Type LL

Lower viscosity than original ClearShield. Same resin solids. Recommended for Eco-Sol Inks.

Spray,automated application equipment, and hand application with roller, pad, or foam applicators and window "mops."

gloss semi-gloss 20° satin
matte

ClearShield Type C

Waterproof canvas applications (highly flexible). Also suitable for micro porous substrates to reduce or eliminate pinholes.

Use all techniques, including most automated equipment. 30° is best applied by spray or liquid lamination equipment.

gloss semi-gloss 30° satin

ClearShield VG

Vehicle graphics. Highly flexible and chemical resistant.

Apply only on horizontal surfaces. Use all techniques, including most automated equipment.

gloss only

ClearShield 20° Satin LL

Low gloss applications not requiring dead flat finish found in matte version. Better abrasion and mar resistance. Suitable for many wallpaper applications.

Use all hand application techniques. For automated equipment, specify Type LL.

20° satin

ClearShield Anti-Graffiti Clear

Highly flexible, chemical and uv resistant. Two-component, water-based clear coat easily cleaned with solvent or Clearstar's non-petrochemical citrus based cleaner.

Use all techniques. Automated equipment requires reduction with water to working viscosity.

gloss

 
 

ClearShield® Application Techniques:

ClearShield Original Formula (no version noted)

With ClearShieldŽ, we do not recommend bristle brushes. Use conventional or foam rollers and foam applicators. Applying clears is an acquired skill. Here are our recommendations:

  1. Load the roller by rolling it in the clear coating until it is saturated.
  2. Then fully submerge the roller in the coating.
  3. Using a back and forth motion, start in one corner of the print and roll to opposite corner, drawing from the puddle you created when first placing the roller on the print. The roller should push out excess coating in the direction of the uncoated substrate.
  4. Continue until you have completely covered the print or run out of liquid laminate. If you run out, load and submerge the roller again ad begin in the last wet area to be coated. Do not start in an uncoated area and roll back. This technique mimics the wet edge associated with spray application.

To allow the material to flow out, try to work wet (thicker, full coats). If the finish does not appear smooth enough while still wet, you can re-roll the print with the same roller you used. Do not saturate the roller again.
If you want a second coat, wait for the first coat to fully dry (usually about 1 hour) and then apply the second coat at a 90-degree angle to the first.

Important note: With water-based products it is very important to always work with full, wet coats. Water-based products dry very quickly and will not level well if applied dry.

  • Work wet with a well-saturated 3/16" to 1/4" roller.
  • Do not overwork the clear with your roller or foam applicator.
  • Resist going back and forth many times over the same area, particularly with a dry applicator. (A dry applicator either is not sufficiently loaded with coating or the bulk of the clear coating has already been transferred from the applicator to the surface).

Sometimes, the finish does not seem to be fully even during application. If you have worked wet enough, the clear will flow out very smoothly and appear glass-like.
If this doesn't happen, you may be able to rework the ClearShield® while the material is still wet. If it is wet enough, re-roll with a moderately loaded applicator. You need to do this very quickly after the initial application.

ClearShield Type LL and Type VG
Our previously described brush and roll recommendations for ClearShield® apply to these versions, too. You can achieve excellent results with a mop applicator - a common window-washing mop head made of material like lamb's wool fastened to a dowel rod. Typically, you want the applicator to be fully saturated. Most people simply pour the coating in puddles or lines on the material to be coated. They then use the applicator to spread the coating. Try to apply the coating evenly and consistently.

ClearShield Type C
Our previously described brush and roll recommendations for ClearShield® apply to this version as well with one exception: As the clear dries, it will take on the texture of the fabric. Don't be alarmed and don't rework it. Once dry, the material will be smooth. You can recoat in 24 hours.

Spray Application:

Clearshield (all versions) and ClearJet Type S

For Spray we recommend a Harbor Freight HVLP gravity feed spray gun, item # 43430, with a 1.4 mm tip size. This will work with any ClearShield® version. If you intend to spray water-based ClearShield, use a Teflon-coated gun. For solvent or water based applications keep the pressure between 45-50 pounds.

  1. Always begin the spray off the surface to be coated.
  2. Keep the gun about 6-9 inches from the surface. Drier and warmer temperatures will require closer application.
  3. Never turn your wrist! turning your wrist will change the amount of fluid volume delivered to the surface. To ensure an even coating, always keep your wrist the same distance from the surface, and move your arm.
  4. Always continue the spray past the edge of the print that you are coating.
  5. To ensure a uniform coating, while off the print move the spray gun about halfway down the coated area from the last pass and continue applying the clear in the reverse direction. This yields a 50% overlap (a 2-pass application).
  6. Throughout the coating process, make this a continuous motion. Try not to stop, particularly when it's hot or dry.

For best results, don't use the same equipment for water and solvent. But if you switch from solvent to water-based applications, be sure to eliminate all solvent from the system.
*For solvent-based applications, always spray solvent through the gun to purge any residue or contaminants including previously applied water based products.
*For water-based applications, always clean the gun with water before use and quickly after use. (ClearShield® dries vigorously and can be difficult to clean once dry).

Cleaning Application Equipment:

ClearShield® Water-based Clears Use warm, soapy water followed by a clear water rinse. Always clean spray equipment quickly.

ClearShield® Technical Information:

We generally recommend the following dry film thickness:

  • ClearShield Water-based Clears - .7 to 1 mil dry film
  • ClearJet Solvent-based Clears - .5 to 1 mil dry film

This chart shows you the theoretical coverage at 100% transfer efficiency. Fine Art versions tend to penetrate much more than standard versions so the surface film build will be lower, yet the protection will be excellent.

Product 1 mil dry .5 mil dry
ClearShield (all products) 480 sq. feet 960 sq. feet
ClearJet Type S (FA & Original) 370 sq. feet 740 sq. feet
ClearJet Type BR (FA & Original) 485 sq. feet 970 sq. feet


  • Roll and mop applications transfer at 100% efficiency.
  • Conventional spray applications transfer at 35% efficiency.
  • HVLP spray applications transfer at 65% efficiency.
  • We believe in testing.

    As the digital industry grows and more inks and media types are introduced, it is now impossible to predict the compatibility of every combination of media, ink, and clear coat. We strongly recommend that you test before use. A test will immediately show you incompatibilities, including water sensitivity, ink jet receptive layer mud cracks, and ink bleeds.

    Generally, let the tested material dry for at least 24 hours. Evaluate the adhesion, flexibility, and visual appearance. Be realistic in your expectations and simulate the conditions the material will be exposed to.

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