First up is a Sho'Nuff followed by a Zenith with Stage 3 booster.
I used metallic alcohol inks (one color on each enclosure). Set the ink with 3 coats of Krylon Kamar followed by 5 coats of Krylon UV Resistant clear. I'll probably cover in Envirotex or 4-5 coats of lacquer after the UV clear next time, but I was impatient.
I really admire that finish.
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Those look great. I've always wanted to give that a try. Any chance you'd post some tips?
I've always loved the way those inks look on a pedal.
I've been playing with alcohol inks lately too. Yours look way better than mine though.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yujKWvYEy-U/Xs3FlhjdrzI/AAAAAAAAGvA/Q8VY9zzmXZA3_qSHPAldgNkaap6SFwR9QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/58CED3B3-602B-408C-A812-C15942F61D60.jpeg)
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Quote from: Matmosphere on July 13, 2020, 08:03:03 PM
Those look great. I've always wanted to give that a try. Any chance you'd post some tips?
For the most "pop" I would use a white enclosure. The green one was white powdercoated and the blue was powdercoated a midnight flake or something. For the metallic inks I used a blender solution (which I think is just ethanol) instead of the usual isopropanol (90%) typically used on non-metallics. I put a small amount of the alcohol on the enclosure, a few drops of ink, and blowing through a straw quickly move the ink around. The alcohol dries fairly fast and just acts as a carrier. YouTube alcohol inks on ceramic tile for some ideas and techniques. There are also a couple of YouTube videos where a guy did raw enclosures using a sponge on method that looks easier, but wasn't giving me the look I wanted.
You absolutely have to set the ink. More solvent such as a lacquer topcoat will redissolve it and move it around. Most the folks who are clearcoating I found were using the Kamar and UV resist at least. Alcohol inks will fade in any UV light. Really, as a final topcoat epoxy would be great I think. I plan to try it next on them.
Fantastic look, both yours and Flanagan. I'll have to look into this at some point.
+1. I'd be happy with any of the enclosures.
These look superb! I have had good luck with alcohol inks but have never "set" the ink, other than with my usual enamel clear coat. Something to try next time...
Quote from: sjaustin on July 14, 2020, 01:47:00 PM
These look superb! I have had good luck with alcohol inks but have never "set" the ink, other than with my usual enamel clear coat. Something to try next time...
I think you'd be alright with any clear that doesn't have a solvent in it that would re liquify the inks. I know the lacquer I typically use does unless you do many light dusting coats on it. It was easier to use the Kamar and just blast it on.