1) What mask should be worn when using a HVLP spray gun?

Use a "Double Charcoal Filter Respirator" when applying coating with a High Volume Low Pressure sprayer.

2) When using HVLP spray equipment to apply BullDog coating, is it necessary to use a solution to thin the coating for spraying? Also, what is the recommended solution for clean-up?

The BullDog Ultra series should never be thinned! To create the proper protection the ratio of solids to solvent is very exact. By diluting this mixture, the balance of solids to solvent is disrupted and the effectiveness of the giclee coating is compromised. After coating, use MEK for best cleaning results.

3) Can I use an acrylic coating on your BullDog canvas products?

Acrylic coatings are a good coating for short exposure products. Our tests indicate that acrylic coatings do crack or crazy within a 2-3 year period as all acrylics do when coated over a flexible substrate. An example of a flexible substrate would be stretched canvas which shrinks and stretches with changes in humidity and temperature. As acrylic ages it becomes more brittle and as a result causes hair line stress fractures that will then become cracks during the next shrink cycle.

4) Why does BullDog Coating smell so strong (bad)?

BullDog Ultra digital fine art coating is a liquid vinyl, unlike most other clear coats that are acrylic. BullDog Ultra is designed to be optically clear and flexible unlike acrylic coatings which become brittle or yellow over time. Though acrylic can exist in a liquid state in both water and solvents, vinyl’s can only exist in a liquid state when immersed in solvents. These solvents are responsible for the strong smell.

5) What makes BullDog Ultra different from Clear Star or Krylon?

BullDog Ultra is the only coating on the market that is vinyl and not acrylic. This means it will not crack nor will it turn yellow like Clear Star and Krylon.

6) Can I use BullDog Ultra on Paper?

Yes, you can use it on paper but it will not make the paper water proof. For protection to occur a layer of coating must form on top of the substrate that requires the protection. Because paper is porous, it absorbs the coating and never allows a layer to form, thus making water proof protection impossible. If paper water proofing is necessary, silk-screening is the only method that can form the layer necessary to protect the print.

7) I am using dye based inks on canvas; will BullDog Ultra protect the ink from water? What about protection from Humidity?

Yes, as long as you apply the BullDog Ultra in a flood type method. If spraying the product make sure to do at least 3 coats (passes) to seal the substrate.

Dyes Bloom! The humidity comes either from the back of the print or the front. If a Dye print is exposed to too much humidity it will bloom coating or not. An easy way to tell if you have blooming is to look at the border of a print. If the coating is to blame the borders would also be yellow.

8) Will UV protection keep my prints from fading?

Light Fastness:

The fading time of inkjet inks is a direct result of the inks that you choose to use and the environment the print is displayed in. All dye-based inks fade noticeably under direct sunlight and in interior applications where direct sunlight may fall on the image and/or where fluorescent or other UV producing lighting is present. Certain UV enhanced inks, pigment-based inks and certain UV inhibiting laminates will extend the time duration of the fading process inherent in all inkjet inks. Contact the ink manufacturer to determine suitability for any application.

9) Why are my images turning yellow when I coat them?

(Pigmented ink) When a Yellow pigment is processed it can become weaker and thus susceptible to “melting” due to solvents. Even mild solvents like mineral spirits. This melting raises the yellow color into the coating which turns the highlights of an image yellow. Using pure process pigment yellow that will not melt in solvents like the BullDog inks will resolve this issue.

10) What is the shelf life of BullDog coating?

Our fine art coatings are good for 2 years in the can. They must be stored at 70F/50RH in order to keep them in optimal condition.

11) Are there any disadvantages to using the Aerosol method of coating application?

Both Triangle and BullDog carry a limited warranty when using the Aerosol can to apply the coating vs. the bulk coatings. As you will find, the cans have limited product (solids) so the customer needs to apply "a lot" of coating to reach the 1 mil dry coating to get the true protection of the D412 series coating.

12) Can a customer safely mix our liquid coatings to achieve a custom finish?

Yes.

13) Can I coat once with gloss, allow it to dry and then coat over again with a different finish; say matte?

One coat over the top of another will melt in to the first coat. It will work but will be inconsistent and is not recommended.

14) What is yellow drag?

Yellow drag is an over all yellowing of the image. It is usually not desirable.

15) Why do I experience yellow drag on my prints produced with Roland OEM inks and coated with BullDog Ultra?

Roland OEM inks take up to two days to completely dry. If images printed with the Roland OEM inks are coated with BullDog Ultra BEFORE they are allowed to completely dry the user will experience yellow drag.

16) If someone wishes to embellish prints made on BullDog Canvas with oil based paints is there a possibility of product failure?

Because oils de-gas as they dry, it is possible that the oils will stain the print (turn it yellow), causing pitting, ect... It is suggested that water based paints (acrylics) be used instead.