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
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:
Load the roller by rolling it in the clear coating
until it is saturated.
Then fully submerge the roller in the coating.
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.
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.
Always begin the spray off the surface to be coated.
Keep the gun about 6-9 inches from the surface. Drier
and warmer temperatures will require closer application.
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.
Always continue the spray past the edge of the print
that you are coating.
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).
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.