Which varnish?

Terry T · Post by **Terry T** » 10 Mar 2007, 5:41pm

I am going to apply some transfers to a recently powder coated frame. Which varnish should I use to seal them once they are dry?
The instructions that arrived with the transfers state that they should be sealed ONLY with "oil based" varnish, and this, by definition, excludes cellulose and acrylic varnish.

robgul · Post by **robgul** » 10 Mar 2007, 6:00pm

I assume the transfers are from Nick at Lloyds ... I can't remember which varnish I used BUT leave the transfers to really dry before you try and varnish - and by really dry, when you THINK they are dry give them anothr few days!

(and bring the frame into the house and keep it in a warm room while the transfers dry)

Rob

Terry T · Post by **Terry T** » 10 Mar 2007, 6:32pm

The frame will be hung up in the boiler cupboard, so it will certainly be dry!
All the varnishes I looked at today contain cellulose. I couldn't find any that actually said "oil based".

robgul · Post by **robgul** » 10 Mar 2007, 7:42pm

IIRC I went to an art shop for the varnish - they seemed to know all abou applying over transfers - the slight downside was that my frame was bright yellow and the varnish had a "brown tinge" when it was dry :-(

The same frame has subsequently been repaired (cracked lug at the seat post) and powder coated again (in yellow) this time I made my own transfers in black using a laser printer and special paper -- and then sprayed Halfords car lacquer in VERY THIN coats ... worked a treat.

Rob

Terry T · Post by **Terry T** » 12 Mar 2007, 5:25pm

Come on! Someone must have refurbished a bike with new transfers

Where can I get oil based varnish? HELP :!:

reohn2 · Post by **reohn2** » 12 Mar 2007, 6:13pm

TT,
Off the top of my head have you checked out yacht varnish,you would need to thin it with white spirit at about 50% to get a really good finish,and apply about five coats.
Also is exterior polyurethane not oil based?

meic · Post by **meic** » 13 Mar 2007, 12:28am

I THINK car shops will sell acrylic and cellulose based paints and laquers.
The likes of Focus will sell oil based like enamels. Is the International(also called Japlac) laquer available from Focus suitable?
This is only a suggestion based on my efforts in the past and NOT informed advice.
I used to work in the factory which made all of Raleigh's transfers and they were made in exactly the same way as the Airfix model transfers so maybee laquer from a model shop would be good and in a more reasonable quantity.

Post by **Mick F** » 13 Mar 2007, 8:11am

Hi Terry,

You could email a framebuilders. Mercian?

http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/

Mick F. Cornwall

Terry T · Post by **Terry T** » 13 Mar 2007, 5:23pm

Good idea Mick, although I have already emailed Nick at Lloyds.

sbowler · Post by **sbowler** » 14 Mar 2007, 7:44pm

Good advice about contactying your local bike frame builders.