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Home >> Installing FLX-Paint

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Installing / Applying FLX-Paint™

PREP: Apply to any clean, smooth painted surface. Surface must be free from rust & other damage. Do not apply over recently repainted surfaces. Prep surface by wiping down thoroughly with rubbing alcohol

STRETCHING FLX-Paint™: FLX-Paint is highly conformable & moderately stretchable. As with any ppf or wrap film, do not over stretch during application. Overstretching voids the warranty. Do not stretch beyond 15%. Unlike ppf, some FLX-Paint colors stretch more than other colors due to various factors including pigment, coating thickness, etc.  Scroll down to see FLX-Paint Stretch Demonstration

BRIDGING: DO NOT bridge FLX-Paint during application - lay FLX-Paint into crevices & indentations. Consider application or design changes for deep crevices where FLX-Paint cannot be laid with out bridging. Kandy colors are more susceptible to lifting when bridged during application

KANDY COLORS: Kandy colors apply differently than other colors due to the thicker coating. Kandy colors apply more like ppf films that have an acrylic topcoat. Kandy colors can be stiffer, especially after the film is several months old & are more susceptible to bridging than other colors. Kandy colors can be applied with a steamer

ADHESIVE TYPE: FLX-Paint has an aggressive pressure sensitive adhesive, the same as found on premium wrapping vinyl. The adhesive is available in standard or air release. Air release adhesive has a distinct orange peel appearance due to the air channels in the adhesive. DO NOT order Air Release if your customer will not accept an orange peel appearance

WET APPLICATION: Apply like ppf using same application techniques & tools

· Use OSHEE or MACTAC brand squeegees or felt covered squeegee
· Heat - use as needed, same rules for using heat with ppf
· Wet application - use same wetting agent as used for ppf - baby shampoo in water; use trigger head sprayer
· PPF can be applied over FLX-Paint. FLX-Paint can be applied over FLX-Paint

DRY APPLICATION: Apply like vinyl wrap using same techniques & tools.  Dry application requires air release adhesive; special order

· Use OSHEE or MACTAC brand squeegees or felt covered squeegee
· Use primer only at attachment points & in crevices / indentations. ACI recommends 3M Primer 94
· Heat - use as needed, same rules for using heat with vinyl wrap
· DO NOT OVERSTRETCH ... see stretching rules above

Application tools can leave micro scratches in clear coat — polish after application.  Scroll down for instructions

Questions? click here

 

 

 

 

 

FLX-Paint full wraps

 

 

 

 

- Because FLX-Paint is made with real paint, you may find nibs or imperfections in the finish.  This is due to multiple coats applied to the film during production.  FLX-Paint is essentially a raw paint job - it cannot be buffed at the factory - it must be applied before it can be buffed & polished

- Sell Paint - emphasize to your customers they are getting real paint and just like a custom aftermarket paint job, it will have some imperfections.  Use this as an opportunity to reinforce the beauty & durability of paint - the stunning colors, deep Kandys, brilliant metallics & rich pearls - nothing looks as good or lasts as long as real paint  

- Imperfections can easily be removed by buffing & polishing FLX-Paint once it is applied.  Please see instructions below

 

 

Detailing FLX-Paint™

FLX-Paint™ has a 2 mil OEM grade automotive clear coat.  Buff one time only.  Additional buffing reduces clear coat thickness & life of product

- Showroom Finish: Buff at 1000 rpm using mild 3000 grit compound followed by a premium polish

- Quick Delivery to Customer: Just clay sponge the surface & polish

- Customer Care: Use any premium automotive polish to maintain FLX-Paint.  NEVER apply silicone based sealants- voids warranty

Removing debris or surface imperfections

1. Lightly hand wet sand with 1500 grit followed by light wet sand with 4000 grit. 

2. Machine buff at 1000 rpm with 3000 grit buffing compound and water.  Use trigger head sprayer to spray water while buffing

3. Finish with premium polish

ACI recommends Meguiar's Car Care products

Used by permission. “Meguiar’s® is a registered
trademark of Meguiar’s Inc.”

Removing FLX-Paint™

FLX-Paint™ is removable; removes cleanly up to 4 years after application.  Use heat source to loosen adhesive bond.  Car’s original paint is perfectly protected

  Questions? click here

Cutting FLX-Paint™

Total film thickness is 5 mils & cuts like ppf or vinyl.  Use 45 or 60 degree blade

· Graphtec FC7000: Set blade depth to cut 5 mil, downforce to 20

· Roland:  Downforce = 110

· Weeding: No different than vinyl … allow the film to set for a few hours after cutting & it’s a snap to weed

· Masking: Use any medium tack masking.  Paper masking leaves an impression in the clearcoat but it will "flow" out after several hours in the sun

 

36" Envy Green Pearl

 

30" Kandy Copper after cutting

 

 

PLOTTER CUTTING:

FLX-Paint is a soft, composite film that is easy to cut, weed & apply

 

 

Weeding FLX-Paint

Wrap Anything!

- Automotive: Pickup bed covers, speaker boxes, solid dash components, etc.

- Computers, laptops, game consoles, mouse, monitor frames

- Motorcycles, ATV’s, snowmobiles, airplanes … anything that needs a fast, real painted finish that can be removed

- Appliances: Refrigerators, washer-dryers, dishwasher doors, counter tops

- Point-of-Purchase Displays & Store Interiors:  Applying FLX-Paint™ to POP displays and to strategic areas inside / outside your store will draw customers … with a remarkably durable finish that can withstand the heaviest traffic

FLX-Paint Stretch Demonstration

- Stretch-to-destruction demonstration

- Atlas Orange Pearl FLX-Paint used for demonstration, with gradient lines drawn on film to show elongation

 

 
 
If you can wrap it, you can paint it with FLX-Paint™

Applied Coatings International LLC  Copyright © 2007-2010. All rights reserved.  Revised: 02/27/10

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