Overnight dry Another paint from ClI is the straightforward synthetic
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enamel. Again application is similar to the other two, but complete painting and drying time is reduced to two days which includes one overnight dry.
Lastly, for smaller commercials, such as light vans, cellulose paint can be used. This type of paint has a much quicker "flash offwhich means that it would be unsuitable for larger vehicles as the paint would be touch dry on one section before the next was painted. This problem doesn't arise with smaller vehicles as the paint sprayer can get round
quicker and keep the paint "flowing" to achieve the required finish.
To keep up with its fast drying paints ICI has developed equally quick drying primers and undercoats which require no flatting or sanding, thus allowing the top coats to be applied immediately after drying.
The ICI paint range is very comprehensive with over 6,000 car refinish colours and 1,500 polyurethane transport colours. To ensure speedy distribution of any paint colour, ICI has 140 distributor depots offering a 24-hour delivery service throughout the UK.
Another service offered by the company is its livery advisory unit. This unit will help
Below: Stick on transfers made from Eagle's 72v vinyl can be "kiss cut" to show the vehicles colour.
operators choose a suitable colour and design for their vehicles marking to match or compliment the chosen vehicle colour.
Joseph Mason of Nottingham Road, Derby, also markets a polyurethane paint. The Ma-, sopar QD Polyurethane onepack enamel is suitable for normal vehicle applications, but the company also manufactures a series of other paints for special uses including two-pack epoxy paint which is especially -siiiti-bje-jiir containers and is resistant to a wide range of acids and alkalies. As with all commercial vehicle paintwork, an etch primer is needed, especially on aluminium and
aluminium alloys.
When applying QD polyurethane to a vehicle, the whole job can be completed in 81/2 hours without the need to varnish the finished job. A further advantage is that if not all the paint is used it can be retained for future jobs without the risk of hardening in the can. Of course Joseph Mason still markets the Masopar QD enamel for those who still prefer to use it.
There's no doubt that the hot, spraying of conventional paints has numerous advantages. The job can be completed more quickly and less materials are used. No thinning of the paint is required, so there are less fumes generated by the spraying operation. Equipment to heat the paint to the desired temperature is relatively inexpensive and simple to use.
Signwriting vehicles has become an extremely expensive and time-consuming task requiring the services of a skilled man. Larger companies who use the same livery over and over again on their vehicles have been using transfers for some time. These are available in two basic forms, solvent fixing transfers or self adhesive vinyls.
Eagle Transfers Ltd of Twickenham offers both these types. Kwikfix, its solvent fixing transfer, keys to the base paint and becomes an integral part of the paint surface. Numerous companies employ these transfers including National Bus, London Transport and SPD. Once the original design has been finalised, size is no problem as the transfer can be made up of several panels to facilitate application.
The Dri-Mark range of pressure sensitive materials from Eagle includes a permanent vinyl, trademarked 72V, which has been purpose built for vehicle applications. The stickon transfers made from this can be "kiss cut" to allow the vehicles colour to show through achieving a completely integral effect.
Transfers Eagle says that its transfers are resistant to most forms of oil grease and dirt and that they can stand up to adverse weather conditions. Automatic industrial washing equipment may be used repeatedly without ill effect.
A full range of art and design services are available at Eagles transfer factory in Staffordshire.
The 3M Company offers a range of vehicle marking and livery including Scotchcal films, Sprint films and Controltac film Controltac film has a special adhesive backing which is said to make application simpler.
The surface of the adhesive has minute raised glass bubbles which prevent the adhesive from contacting the surface when the film is first positioned. This allows the film to be moved to any position and lined up correctly before finally being stuck on.
When final application is required, the film is pressed into place with a squeegee. This has the effect of breaking the tiny bubbles permitting the film to adhere permanently to the vehicle.
Controltac can be applied at any ambient temperatur€ between 40 and 100''' F and sc eliminates the need for fitmerr in the workshop. There are twc qualities of film, the series 15E and series 180.
Both films will accept colour printing and virtually any colour combination is available special 3M inks are used. Th( series 155 is intended for relatively short-term applicatior where it will last up to fou years, being removable up t( two years. It can be applied tc any normal surface includinc aluminium or grp panelling The higher grade series 18( lasts for five years or more bu can be applied over unever corrugated surfaces and ever over rivets without bulging o lifting.
Service life Sprint films are polyester o vinyl based and were produce( for the manufacture of emb lems, labels and decorativi markings. Service life is up ti
12 months, and the film cant:), supplied with permanent o removable adhesive. Like a 3M vehicle films, Sprint film are unaffected by water greases, petrol and mild acid and alkalies.
A pre-marking technique i available with 3M films wher the marked decal is applied t the primered vehicle. Aft( spraying the marking i removed even before the pair is fully hardened, leaving th motif ''built in" to th paintwork.
Scotchcal film is available i 16 standard colours includin three fluorescent, chrome, gol and brushed aluminium. Di signers prepare all emblem an livery artwork for each custom( individually and the film produced using a moder screen-printing process.