How to cast decals over PVC blanks?

[navycop]

I want to put a decal/label over a PVC blank. I don't have a mold bigger than slimline. Would I need a bigger mold (serria or wall street)? Or can I use a tupperware container?

 

[dexter0606]

Mike
Not exactly certain what it is that you're asking but you don't need to cast a decal.
Just turn your pen barrel, apply the decal and put a CA finish over top

 

[navycop]

Mike
Not exactly certain what it is that you're asking but you don't need to cast a decal.
Just turn your pen barrel, apply the decal and put a CA finish over top

Will this work for acrylics too? When I did my slimline pens. I turned them below the bushings, applied the decal, then recast in the slimline mold I got from Fred. This gave me a round clear blank, with a decal in the middle. I am trying to put a decal on a blank from the scheduled 40 PVC pipe. If I turn it down to slimline size the decal will be too small to see. I think I need to put it in a wall street mold to get enough resin to go around it.

 

[dexter0606]

Mike
Not exactly certain what it is that you're asking but you don't need to cast a decal.
Just turn your pen barrel, apply the decal and put a CA finish over top

Will this work for acrylics too? When I did my slimline pens. I turned them below the bushings, applied the decal, then recast in the slimline mold I got from Fred. This gave me a round clear blank, with a decal in the middle. I am trying to put a decal on a blank from the scheduled 40 PVC pipe. If I turn it down to slimline size the decal will be too small to see. I think I need to put it in a wall street mold to get enough resin to go around it.

Yep, works for acrylics! Most of the decals I have done are on acrylic. You may be right about the diameter of the slim though. The only time I've decaled a slim it was with the persons name (instead of engraving). The majority of pens I decal are Sierra style, done a number of Tritons as well. The decal you are showing would definitely benefit from a larger pen.

 

[toyotaman]

Copy and paste the decal to word. Resize it to the size you want. Print it out on clear waterslide decal paper and add it to the acrylic pen. Let it dry for an hour or so and apply 8-10 coats of thin CA and wet sand to 12000. Your done.

 

[dexter0606]

I use medium CA but whatever works

 

[navycop]

Copy and paste the decal to word. Resize it to the size you want. Print it out on clear waterslide decal paper and add it to the acrylic pen. Let it dry for an hour or so and apply 8-10 coats of thin CA and wet sand to 12000. Your done.

How long do you wait between coats or do you use accelerator?

 

[G1Pens]

Copy and paste the decal to word. Resize it to the size you want. Print it out on clear waterslide decal paper and add it to the acrylic pen. Let it dry for an hour or so and apply 8-10 coats of thin CA and wet sand to 12000. Your done.

How long do you wait between coats or do you use accelerator?

Apply the decal. Let it dry...I wait 2-3 hours at least. I apply a coat of thin very lightly. CA can make the decal smear if you are not careful. I then apply three or four coats of medium CA. I try not to use accelerator as I have had it cause discoloration. Basically you do a CA finish. Each coat of CA should dry in a minute or two, then apply the next coat.

 

[AceMrFixIt]

Copy and paste the decal to word. Resize it to the size you want. Print it out on clear waterslide decal paper and add it to the acrylic pen. Let it dry for an hour or so and apply 8-10 coats of thin CA and wet sand to 12000. Your done.

I use power point for decals. You can place the image any where on the page and don't have to deal with the line spacing.

 

[dexter0606]

Just to add to this, you need to spray your decal to prevent the ink jet colours from running. You can use a spray made especially for the decals (available at hobby shops) or a clear laquer. I prefer the spary for the decals.
If you don't let the inks dry long enough after printing, even the sealer spray will make them run.
I would allow at least a day after they come out of your printer before you spray then 4-6 hours after that before you immerse them in water.