Advise wanted re: VFI-QWIK SPRAY SYSTEM or alternative

[carol hodges]

This note was precipitated by the ad for Volatile Free
VFI-QWIK SPRAY SYSTEM in the Jan issue of Sign Craft, p. 19. Have you used this system or know anyone that has? I talked to their salesman but didn't get a clear answer on ease of use, maintenance, finish coating with primers, type of paint, etc.

I'd thought that it would be good for us to use over the SignFoam and Precision Board signs that we make. I'm hoping the small details and edges would be tougher. Also, we had a disaster with an HDU sign that distored badly when the sun started beating on it (it was black, 3" thick made up of four 3/4" layers). Perhaps the coating would make the sign more rigid?

Additionally, I would like the option of using several materials such as MDO with applied foam or pvc letters and graphics, then coating the whole construction to make it one weatherproof dimensional piece. Any ideas on this? The salesman said the material is designed to use over EPS (styrofoam). that sounds nice and light but how would one hang it?

Any practical information that you have or a contact name for someone else would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Carol

[Raymond Chapman]

Carol - I don't have any information on the product, but I did want to say hello. It's good to hear that you are still in the business. The carving you did at the Lone Star Letterhead gathering (21 years ago) still hangs proudly in my studio.

Welcome to the forum.

[carol hodges]

Hi Raymond - I read your column faithfully and appreciate that you remember me. We go past Belton about once a month and always think of you. I'd send this as a private message but haven't quite figured out the forum business yet.

Carol

P.S.
I did a carving?

[Mike Jackson]

Hi Carol,
I don't care much for the personal message system, but it works. I like to click on "eMail" in the box just under any post. That will bring up a blank email box and makes it easy to send a private note to anyone on the Forum (assuming you are already logged in)

We made several signs with MDO sandwiched between two layers of HDU. On some, we allowed about 1" of MDO to show, revealing a border around the HDU, and even added a gilded cove in the MDO. It added strength to the HDU and gave us some relatively solid material to fasten hangers and brackets.

I never trusted large spans of HDU between two posts without some sort of backing.

I didn't see the article you spoke of. Raymond has mentioned having a HVLP sprayer here before, but not sure if that is the same device.

Good luck,
Mike Jackson

[Kelly Thorson]

Hi Carol,
I bought the Volatile Free sprayer and encapsulant.
I haven't used it a lot yet, but it is very simple to use.
I love the fact that other than cleaning the overspray off the sprayer, there is virtually no cleanup.
The system comes with tips with an augering system inside for mixing that are disposable. You can buy extra tips for around $3.00.
Basically the system is like a double barreled caulking gun. The chambers are compressed pneumatically and the encapsulant mixes in the nozzle. It cures up pretty fast after spraying and sticks to everything. It is necessary to have a dedicated area when you spray, and you need to have your hair and eyes covered as well as a mask.
If the overspray gets on eyeglasses they are ruined. I think you are supposed to prime before it completely sets up (2 hrs ?) or you need to use an etching primer.
A couple of other comments - I tried to do some 4" high by 2" deep styrofoam letters, but found it difficult to get in the corners. I was told you can paint it on, but you would have to be very fast.
The gun can also be used for any 50/50 ratio system. I have kept my empty cylinders and cleaned them for reuse.
You can use only part of a cylinder, but you have to use a fresh tip each time and be cautious about sealing it off so no moisture can get in - I was told to use vaseline.
You can also spray truck bed liners with the same system. I know some have used that for encapsulating styrofoam in the past.
Hope this info helps you.