Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: Colorwave on August 19, 2014, 09:48:48 pm

Title: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: Colorwave on August 19, 2014, 09:48:48 pm
I'm not sure how widely disseminated this information is, but Lexjet is currently in an awkward transition phase with their coatings.  At the moment, and from what I hear, for at least another month, they are showing their Sunset Gloss and Sunset Satin coatings as out of stock.  

From what I understand, they were having difficulties with the properties of their coatings after removing two chemicals from the formula for environmental compliance reasons.  They were not happy with something related to the manufacturing process/reformulation from the previous vendor, and have now decided to commission a new company to manufacture it for them.

Personally, I noticed two issues with the Sunset coatings recently.  I experienced extreme separation issues with the satin coating (and to a much more limited degree with the gloss, as well).  After a thorough mixing, the coating separated to a water thin layer on top and a gloopy thick layer on the bottom.  This wasn't an overnight process, but something that I could see happening in an hour or less.  It never did that previously.  On top of that nuisance, the gloss coating dries with a slightly sticky feel, even after curing for many days.

I'm sympathetic to the fact that Lexjet ran into manufacturing problems, but the fact that the company hasn't given professionals who depend on their products any notice is not a good sign from a customer relations standpoint.  I'm sure that it's embarrassing to them, but it is far better to proactively own up to the issue than wait until customers discover that they have been blindsided by the problem with no heads up.

Just this morning I got an email from IJ Technologies touting that their Eclipse coating is "Not reformulated - Not changed - Still the best."  I think the business opportunity for them was like a slow, hanging curveball over the plate for them, so it makes sense for them to capitalize on the opportunity.  I've tried BC Glamour (no UV filtering), BC Timeless (less durable, more finicky to spray), Clearshield (it yellows over time) and Eclipse (a fine product).  I prefer the build quality of the Sunset coating, in that it gives me a great surface that is quite bulletproof and a little thicker than Eclipse, but who knows what the new version of the Sunset coating will be like?  

I may ultimately wind up switching, even though Lexjet's supply chain makes it far faster and cheaper for me to get here in Hawaii.  I just prefer to make material changes out of my own volition vs. necessity.  Grrrrr.
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: Paul2660 on August 19, 2014, 11:39:40 pm
I agree Timeless is more finicky to spray but I have always found it very durable. Both satin and gloss.   I recently started to add some of the Lexjet gloss to my Timeless as the Lexjet has leveling agents and Timeless doesn't.  Seemed to give me a more even spray.  

I noticed the other day that Breathing Color is now using the containers that Lexjet has been using for over a year now instead of the old paint bucket wide mouth style containers. 

It will be interesting to see how the new Lexjet coating work out.

Paul
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: John Nollendorfs on August 20, 2014, 11:50:25 am
I have been using Rosco Clear Acrylic Gloss & Matt Glaze for 5 years with no problems. Dilute 1 to 1 with water and spray. I like the price too!
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: Mike Sellers on August 20, 2014, 12:10:14 pm
John,
Did you ever try rolling it on or only spray?
Mike
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: Colorwave on August 20, 2014, 03:17:12 pm
I have been using Rosco Clear Acrylic Gloss & Matt Glaze for 5 years with no problems. Dilute 1 to 1 with water and spray. I like the price too!

Has anyone ever confirmed whether or not Rosco Acrylic has any UV blocking properties?
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: John Nollendorfs on August 20, 2014, 03:57:22 pm
I've only sprayed the stuff. It's pretty watery once diluted. The matt stuff is a lot thicker though.

As for UV blocking, it doesn't have any added components for UV blocking. But that isn't the primary reason for using a sealant like this. UV should not be a problem in an art display environment, only if you chose to put it in direct sunlight or under unfiltered fluorescent lights. The main purpose is to seal the microporous inkjet receiver from atmospheric contaminates (Ozone, etc), and to protect from physical damage and water.
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: Colorwave on August 20, 2014, 04:30:23 pm
John, I agree with your list, but see no reason not to be greedy and add another property I'd like in a coating to the list of criteria. 

Living on a volcano in the tropics, we have both atmospheric contaminants of a unique nature (vog) and higher than normal ambient light in nicer homes, so I'd like "all of the above."  Even out of direct light, the indirect light is above average most of the time, so I like the reassurance that having the UV filtering component. Probably 90% of my canvas and 75% of my paper use is OBA free for similar reasons.  I use Sunset Reserve canvas, which has a fairly pronounced weave and it winds up with a very pleasing amount of texture when given a heavy protective coat.  It's extremely tough that way, and doesn't look plasticky.
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: John Nollendorfs on August 20, 2014, 07:31:03 pm
Colorwave:
I agree with your logic. Especially with sealing out the VOG!!!! ;-)

But UV filtration I think is grossly over rated when it comes to the modern pigmented inkjet inks. Sealing out atmospheric contaminates is much more important. Ordinary window glass filters out about 85% of UV from direct sunlight.

When I first started using the Rosco Clear Acrylic coating five years ago,  I started a south window test with several different substrates printed on my HP Z3100 here in Nebraska. The samples were in a south facing double pane window from middle of May through middle of October. I had both coated and uncoated canvas samples. As well as a canvas with Optical Brightners. The OBA fade of the coated canvas sample was easily detectable within the first month in the test. However, none of the substrates tested showed any visible fade of the sample printed patches compared to those store in the dark. I would say, that was a pretty harsh test for any fine art print which should not be subjected to direct sunlight. I was more concerned with any color changes of the pigments due to the vinyl acrylic coating--there wasn't any!

I give a verbal guarantee with all my prints that I'm willing to reprint any image that shows any signs of fading. I also tell them that HP inks have been tested with a range of between 50 and 200 years against visible fading under normal viewing conditions. (Wilhelm data)

Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: msongs on August 21, 2014, 02:13:49 pm
also in Hawaii here :-)

quit buying lexjet coatings as they smear ink really badly when rolled. went to another brand and it smears too on lexjet canvas. so had to buy a sprayer I did not want.

lexjet told me their coating is not compatible with some types of their own canvas! after they didn't tell us upfront. so going to try breathing color canvas after the lexjet runs out as we are using BC coating anyway.

Lexjet has several other quality control issues and shipping issues as well. Their satin cloth is a very nice product however and does NOT need spraying at all.

Msongs
Honolulu


 
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: Colorwave on August 21, 2014, 02:42:39 pm
Wow, Msongs.  Very different experiences with Lexjet coatings.  I print with HP and Vivera ink, but know others who use Epson and Canon, and I've yet to hear about any ink smearing.  Until the last batch, I've never had any complaints, and the coating, ink, canvas combination and bond have been rock solid.  As a matter of fact, I've never found the edges with gallery wraps to be as durable and crack resistant.  I previously used BC canvas (mostly Chromata) along with Timeless and Glamour coatings, and thought that they were pretty durable until I tried the Sunset Reserve canvas with Lexjet coating and discovered how much better the results were.  I can only assume that the differences in our experiences with Lexjet's materials are due to differences in ink, or with you using something other than Sunset Reserve or Select matte canvas, which is all I've tried of theirs.

BTW:  I use Hahnemuhle Canvas Metallic, which also claims that you do not need to coat.  I don't buy into that, as it is just too easily scuffed for my taste, and a wipedown with a damp cloth lifts ink and/or disturbs the pearlescent material that gives it the "metallic" look.  Can the Lexjet satin hold up to normal wear and tear and occasional cleaning?
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: John Nollendorfs on August 21, 2014, 02:45:02 pm
DOES NOT NEED SPRAYING????
If it has microporous inkjet receptor, this would really fade with Hawaii's VOG! Some people are using swellable polymer inkjet receptor. The one negative with that is, that the inks are quite slow to dry on those. Hard to get the swellable polymer prints to be water proof.

I would highly recomment IJ Technologies Premium Edition Canvas, Artist Texture. It has a water resistant gesso coating, so your inkjet prints will not smear. Once you put a vinyl acrylic top coat on, it's impervious to water! Spraying seems like a hassle, but it allows you to put on nice thin coats, so the canvas doesn't have the plastic look. I find two coats, cross sprayed is fine.

Like I said before, this combination has been working very well for me for 5 years.
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: Colorwave on August 21, 2014, 03:01:14 pm
John, Msongs is on Oahu, over 200 miles from my rock and Madame Pele's mischief, so vog is not really an issue like on my rock.  I'm in the lee of the mountain, so the vog just creeps around the mountain and parks here fairly often.  Kona winds might make an occasional bad day on Oahu as bad as a good day in LA in terms of air quality.  Sealing the microporous surface is still an issue, but no more so than anywhere else for people there.

The IJ PECAT canvas is a very nice material, and quite similar to the Lexjet Sunset Reserve, with just a smidge less texture.  I find the gamut and overall ink bond to be comparable between the two.  Cost and logistical issues aside, I'd consider it a toss up for me.
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: danvsjr on September 16, 2014, 06:19:02 pm
I have a Canon iPF8300 and have been having problems with the LexJet Sunset Production Matte Canvas in combination with EcoPrintShield. The blues pull up from the prints when using a roller to apply the product. Yes, it would be nice to spray, but I just do not have the setup for it. I do like the canvas but in most installations I would like to coat it. It does say you don't need to coat it, but it does scuff easily without a protective coating. I have even used Mod Podge which provides a rugged covering, if you don't mind the texture.
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: Colorwave on September 16, 2014, 06:28:56 pm
Rumor has it that small quantities of the reformulated Lexjet coatings are being production tested in the field now.  Does anybody else have any more substantial news yet?
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: Larry Heath on September 17, 2014, 11:12:01 am
Anyone have any words of wisdom on the ClearShield products?

http://www.cutterpros.com/Liquid-Laminate-Water-Base-UV-Protection-Clear-Star-Clear-Shield-ClearStar-ClearShield.htm

Seems to be available form LexJet at a fairly steep price $54/Qrt or at about $91 for a gallon from the people above, as well being available in 5 Gal pails.

Later Larry
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: darlingm on September 17, 2014, 11:43:56 pm
...I give a verbal guarantee with all my prints that I'm willing to reprint any image that shows any signs of fading...

I'd recommend being careful with that, and considering the (small) possibility that in 10 years every print you made may show signs of fading, so you'd have to replace everything.  Just a legal/business risk perspective -- not saying it's going to happen.
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: darlingm on September 17, 2014, 11:46:18 pm
... While we're speaking about IJ Technologies, I have to mention that I cry at night over Black Diamond canvas having been discontinued.
Title: Re: Lexjet Sunset Coating being "reformulated"
Post by: Chromaco on November 25, 2014, 04:49:27 pm
We beta tested the new formulation of Lexjet Sunset gloss and like it. It's slightly thinner and takes a little longer to dry but has a very nice gloss finish. I've used Clearstar, Breathing Color (Glamour and Timeless), Eco-Print Shield in the past and I still prefer the Sunset coating.