dark t-shirt transfer and powder coating??

[delbowski]

hi...

i would really like to get into using dark t-shirt transfers for my graphics.  i'm doing silk screening right now, but want to have some really detailed, multi colored graphics as seen on various threads in this forum.  i think i know how the transfer idea is done, but i was wondering if anyone would know if i could then apply clear powdercoating to the enclosure to protect the graphics?  i've had some experience with using a krylon type of topcoat when i was spray painting my enclosures, but since moving to doing my own powdercoating i have found this to be a lot more durable.  i want to use an unfinished aluminum enclosure, iron on a dark t-shirt transfer, and then powdercoat it in clear.  has anyone done this?  my searches have come up empty.  any ideas are greatly appreciated!  thanks a lot!

del

[LyleCaldwell]

The transfer material couldn't stand the heat used in the powdercoating process.  You'd have to put the material on an already powdercoated box (no texture), and then do a clearcoat over everything.

[Dave_B]

From what I've read here, the general consensus seems to be to silkscreen the artwork on with epoxy ink.   This thread has some info. 
Of course, while silkscreening can be very cool to get into if you have the time, it adds a pretty hefty step to the process if you're only doing one-off's.

[delbowski]

The transfer material couldn't stand the heat used in the powdercoating process.  You'd have to put the material on an already powdercoated box (no texture), and then do a clearcoat over everything.

would the powdercoating be able to withstand the heat from the transfer?  i'd be using a coating that would flow at around 400.  would the iron get too hot for that?  thanks for being so helpful!

del

[delbowski]

From what I've read here, the general consensus seems to be to silkscreen the artwork on with epoxy ink.   This thread has some info. 
Of course, while silkscreening can be very cool to get into if you have the time, it adds a pretty hefty step to the process if you're only doing one-off's.

thanks for the info and the link bellyflop...

i have been doing epoxy silk screening, but doing a graphic that has more than one color gets expensive and time consuming (silk screening from scratch is NOT cheap  ).  i like the possibility of the t-shirt transfer as i've seen from the results on other threads.  lots of color options and you can get as detailed as you want.  my main concern is protecting the graphic as best as i can and making it look as professional as possible.  thanks a ton for the reply, any other advice would be awesome 

del

[LyleCaldwell]

I've done the transfer on paint without problems (cured the paint in an oven first), and I'm sure a powdercoated surface would be even less affected by the heat of the iron.  I do 20 seconds tops, and the box doesn't get up to 400 deg with the iron.

[delbowski]

I've done the transfer on paint without problems (cured the paint in an oven first), and I'm sure a powdercoated surface would be even less affected by the heat of the iron.  I do 20 seconds tops, and the box doesn't get up to 400 deg with the iron.

thanks a lot for the tip Lyle... i'll try that and i'll try the regular clear coating technique.  thanks a lot!

has anyone had any troubles with the edges of the transfer being a problem?  will the clear coating make them look a little less like decals or is that not a problem in the first place?  sorry for asking so many questions, but i guess education before experimentation can be a good thing 

thanks,
del

[LyleCaldwell]

If the color of the paint is close to the color of the transfer, once the clearcoat is on it has much less edge than a decal.

[charbot]

What kind of clear coat are you using?

[LyleCaldwell]

I used an acrylic enamel, but it yellowed a bit after those photos were taken.  Should have used the Krylon I suppose.