Extira Painting

[john_l]

I have a project next week in which I will be required to cut and paint some letters for the outside of a building using Extira.

I searched on here and found a few posts regarding problems painting this material but none of the threads I found seemed to conclude on a proven way to get paint material to dependably stick... or what paint, primer, or sealers to actually use.

If anyone has any advice or past lessons learned I would appreciate it.

[andyb]

John,
I've cut a sign using Extira. It's been up for about a year and a half now. After I cut the sign I covered that entire sign with two coats of lacquer. Let it dry for 24 hours. I cut the sign as a favor for a friend and he had someone else paint it. He used cheap latex paint from Home Depot. No other primer or sealer was used. The sign still looks new today.

Andy B.

Here is a pic of the sign.

8973

[joe]

John,

The subject has been dicussed many times.

Here's a condinsed version.

Extira is a oily, water resistant material. The best primers are distilate types. Kils, and zinnzer are typical.

Water based primers don't attach well, however a good soap and water wash down will assist in reducing the oils.

We use the epoxy wash. 2/3 Epoxy with 1/3 lacquer thinner. When dry, you can use your favorite primer.

Joe
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[newton_c]

Andy, Thanks.. thats a great looking sign.

Joe, Thanks 2.. I did find some discussions but just wanted the cream. I don't understand what you mean by epoxy wash. Two-Thirds Epoxy what?


These signs will be Vcarved with 23K gilded letters. I have been spraying all cut mdf here with the BullsEye Universal Sanding Sealer mentioned in some posts on this forum. Wasn't sure if that would suffice (after a wash as Joe mentioned) on Extira... and then hit it with Kilz prior to the color coats and gilding.

[joe]

When Extira was first introduced, several years ago, we started using it right away. It wasn't long before we started having paint adhesion problem, ever once in a while. We didn't have problems all the time but enough to start seeking a solution.

The answer for us was to dilute epoxy with lacquer thinner and apply a generous amount to the panel. It soaks righ in a provides a good barrier for the primer. When diluted, it spreads out quickly and is much mor economical.

About a month ago, Bridget and Tony posted a better and simple solution. That was to wash off the oily (phenolic resin) coating with simple soap. I've given it a try and this seems to work very well.

I would caution you to stay away from the Extira technical bulletin which suggest using a latex primers. Latex over oily surface is just asking for trouble. I really like and use thier product but their tech dept. isn't quiet up to speed.

Keep us posted on your results and post a photo or two.

J

[joe]

Cheth

I think you are on the right path with a shellac barrier. I'd still probably give it a good soapy wash off, just to be sure. Nothing worse than finishing up a beautiful gilded 23K panel to see the background paint lifting with your mask.

My test for good adhesion is to apply and burnish down a two inch strip of masking tape to the finish painted surface and yark it off. With out a good primer coat, Extira often give up the paint.

One of the slickest surfaces for gilding is the automotive high build primer. It sands smooth as glass.