Richard Rumancik
09-07-2012, 12:30 PM
I have a customer for whom I have been making a part for a number of years. It .010" polycarbonate (Lexan 8B35) and I apply black paint and then 3M PSA tape before laser cutting. The customer wants the part to be black, and polycarbonate only comes clear.
I have been painting the back of the sheet using Nazdar solvent-based screenprint paint, but I am out of paint and am looking at alternatives. The ink is very unpleasant to work with (high VOCs). As I only need maybe 6 panels 25" x 16" I can't seem to get any screenprint manufacturers interested in this small job.
I have tried spray paints including those designed for plastics but have never been able to achieve good adhesion of the paint to polycarbonate.
I am also going to try some "fast sign" shops but don't think that polycarbonate is that common for signs. It is often used for decals on commercial equipment (graphic overlays etc.) I'm also wondering about digital printing but don't know if this is suitable for that process.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I could color the backside of the polycarbonate or what paint would adhere well?
I have been painting the back of the sheet using Nazdar solvent-based screenprint paint, but I am out of paint and am looking at alternatives. The ink is very unpleasant to work with (high VOCs). As I only need maybe 6 panels 25" x 16" I can't seem to get any screenprint manufacturers interested in this small job.
I have tried spray paints including those designed for plastics but have never been able to achieve good adhesion of the paint to polycarbonate.
I am also going to try some "fast sign" shops but don't think that polycarbonate is that common for signs. It is often used for decals on commercial equipment (graphic overlays etc.) I'm also wondering about digital printing but don't know if this is suitable for that process.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I could color the backside of the polycarbonate or what paint would adhere well?