Pock marks, fisheyes, craters, pinholes, bubbles...

[jferrari]

Hello, forum! Long lurk, first post. I performed a search and the most relevant post was this one in which there seemed to be no resolution to the OP's problem. Here's my situation: I have an Epson 9890 that I use exclusively for Giclee canvas gallery wraps for local photographers. I am using Glamour II at a ratio of: 50% Matte, 25% Gloss, 25% heated/distilled water to achieve a "semi-matte" finish. Up until now I have rolled this "mixture" successfully on Epson Exhibition Matte Canvas and my customers are happy. I am trying to use this same mixture on Lexjet Sunset Select Matte Canvas and achieving any/all of the aforementioned descriptors. (In the automotive painting world one might add "orange-peel" as a texture, too!) Even after 4 full coats I still experience the problem. I've attached a photo of the sample swatch of the Lexjet canvas that has never been through the printer but coated with the Glamour II mixture. Any solution to ridding my prints of these pock marks? Or am I destined to only process images of the moon? TIA       - Jim

[bill t.]

I have never seen that with Sunset and Glamour, except as mentioned in the old post, and I've used donkey cart loads of both.  I think the problem may be the very high ratio of matte to gloss.  Would suggest something more like 60:15:25 Gloss:Matte:Distilled if you like a thick solution.  Small amounts of Matte takes down Gloss very fast.  Been a while since I rolled, but maybe 40:10:50 G:M:D would be better if you're getting surface problems.

BC has pretty good tech support, give 'em a call.

[jferrari]

Thanks for the quick reply, Bill. The formula I use is the result of testing on Epson canvas then being selected by my customers. Never had any problems like I'm having with the Lexjet. Side by side test on my bench, unprinted swatches, Epson Ex. Matte on the left, Lexjet Sunset matte on the right. Same mixture from same container, same roller, same technique. Result: Epson was perfect; Lexjet - see the attached photo in my OP. I'm wondering if I could add fisheye remover (like they do at auto paint shops) to my mixture. Anyone ever try anything like that?

[Justan]

I don’t have a direct answer, but have used a lot of the Lexjet canvas along with G2 and I always use a roller. I'm wondering if the mixture is applied a little too thin and perhaps with not enough rolling, but of course, i can't conclude anything without seeing what you're doing.

What I’ve found is needed to avoid pinholes and bubbles typically takes a fair amount of rolling. I go for the thinnest coat that does not produce defects. The Lexjet paper is a little resistant to absorbing the media with a roller and that’s why it necessitates a fair amount of work to get it right. I typically do the initial coating until it looks generally okay and then let it sit for about 5 minutes. After that I go over it with a magnifying lens to check for defects, and then I either just roll some more until they are gone or i apply a little more G2 if the area is a little thin.

I’ve also found that increasing the distilled water content by about 3%-5% helps the process.

Definately talk with LexJet support if the problem persists.

[darlingm]

I know it can be a big step depending on the situation, but having recently converted to HVLP spraying, I can say many issues just go away.  Might be worth a shot if that's possible for you.

[dgberg]

Looks like some sort of fisheye possibly from come sort of contaminate.
Did you accidentally get something on it?
Have you coated an actual print with it yet? I would try that first and see what kind of results you get.

[jferrari]

@ darlingm - Thank you for your reply. I will be moving toward spraying as soon as everything permits. In the interim, I will simply roll to get the orders out.

@ Dan - Thank you for your reply, too! I ran out of the Epson Exhibition Matte canvas and, in an attempt to meet a deadline, I grabbed a roll of the Lexjet Sunset Select Matte Canvas to complete an order. I mixed the Glamour II to the ratio mentioned above and coated four large prints (36 x 49) using materials and techniques that have produced excellent results on the Epson Exhibition Matte Canvas for several hundred prints. Basically, the only difference is the canvas. The Lexjet canvas is old stock but new/in the factory sealed boxes. There is very likely only a low chance of any contamination as I loaded the roll of canvas the same way I loaded the dozens of rolls of the Epson product.

[dgberg]

Not sure what's going on but it's either the canvas or the varnish.
Anything else change that you know of? Was the roller new? Was material used from this batch of Glamor on the Epson canvas?
I would first put a call in to Lexjet and see what they have to say.
I use both of these products and never a problem.

[jferrari]

Thanks again, Dan. Absolutely apples to apples, Epson to Lexjet. When I noticed the fisheye starting to form on the four prints, I grabbed a blem that was printed on the Epson canvas and coated it too. It had a perfect semi-matte finish when it dried and the four large prints suffered the fisheye texture. I then re-coated the four large prints with a second, third and finally a fourth coat. I usually have wonderful results with only two good coats of the Glamour II product. Anyway, I very much appreciate your looking into my problem for me! I am currently trying an experiment where I shoot the freshly cured print (24 hours, usually) with a quick spritz of Archival Varnish to act as a "sealer" if you will. Then, I will try the Glamour II as normal. That's where I'm at right now...

[dgberg]

What do you mean by archival varnish,brand?

[bill t.]

As you're mixing solution, pour off a little that's gloss/water only before adding the matte.  Try a patch of canvas with that gloss-only solution.  Matte is the shakier of the two versions.  If you're having product issues that's the most likely place for it to be.

[jferrari]

What do you mean by archival varnish,brand?

This.

[jferrari]

Thanks, Bill. I'll give that a try. Only thing is that this particular customer has requested a matte finish.

[dgberg]

With 25 years experience in my cabinetry companies spray booth I can tell you that it is not wize to mix solvent and water based finishes.
That's not what you did on your problem canvas is it?