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 FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS |
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1. What is the
difference between IF and FF?
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FF stands
for Free Foam because it is
allowed to freely foam before
hitting the chill and
compression rollers when
extruded. The surface of FF has
a matte texture and can be run
in a variety of colors and
sizes.
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IF stands for Integral Foam.
IF has the same formulation as
FF but with a smooth finish
similar to solid PVC. It is more
for outdoor use and only comes
in white as a color. IF is more
difficult to adhere paints and
inks to because of the very
shiny, smooth surface
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2. What
thicknesses are available in FF and IF?
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FF is
produced in a wide range of
thicknesses, (from 1mm to 25mm),
and colors. IF is only available
in White, in the following
thicknesses: 10, 16, 19, 25, and
30mm. (See the standard Sheet
Sizes and Colors Chart on our
website).
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3. What paints
can I use to finish PVC? |
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Can be
easily painted using PVC
compatible paints. Recommended
paints include: vinyl’s, acrylic
lacquers, and two-component
polyurethanes. The use of
primers is not normally required
for FF but is recommended for
IF. The surface should be
cleaned with isopropyl alcohol
before painting.
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4. Can I use
Ex-Cel PVC outside? |
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Ex-Cel will
change colors when used
outdoors. The amount of color
change depends on the original
color, UV levels, and other
exposure conditions. Ex-Cel
expands and contracts with
temperature changes and will
warp in temperatures over 150°F.
This must be taken into account
when mounting large sheets of
Ex-Cel outdoors. Ex-Cel, like
most plastic materials, has less
impact resistance in cold
conditions. Thinner gauges have
less impact resistance than
thicker ones.
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5. How does Ex-Cel
compare to Kommerling and Sintra? |
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Ex-Cel FF
sheets are very similar to
Komatex and Sintra, but colors
vary from one product to
another. Ex-Cel FF comes in more
colors, 13 total, than either
Komatex or Sintra. Ex-Cel FF
offers you a choice between a
lower, .60 density sheets and a
regular, or .70 density sheets.
The lower the density the less
expensive the sheet is for your
customer. Ex-Cel gives you
choices.
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6. Can I glue,
nail, form or weld it? |
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For bonding
Ex-Cel to itself, the same
solvent type adhesives that are
used for rigid PVC’s give
excellent results. For joining
Ex-Cel to other substrates,
solvent-dispersed adhesives
formulated for PVC bonding may
be used, as can most
neoprene-based adhesives. Ex-Cel
is a thermoplastic that can be
heated and bent or formed into
various shapes. Once the
material cools it retains the
shape it was formed into. Ex-Cel
PVC foams will accept screws,
nails, dowels, etc., and can be
easily worked with most standard
wood working tools. Plastics
specific bits and blades are
recommended.
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7. Is Ex-Cel
PVC digitally printable? |
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Yes
and no. The FF product
is able to be directly
printed on by most UV
curing direct to
substrate machines. Care
must be used in printing
on these sheets as they
are not protected for
this process and
contamination of the
surface by various dirt
and oils can occur. The
surface should be
cleaned with isopropyl
alcohol before printing.
This is why we recommend
Ex-Cel PRO; a product
specifically made for
the large format, direct
to substrate, UV curing
flatbed digital print
machines. It is film
masked on one side or
two sides to prevent
contamination from dirt,
oil and other items that
will ruin a print
(fingerprints). It comes
in 3 and 6mm standard
sized sheets. Other
sizes and thicknesses
are available by custom
order.
As for the IF sheet we
do not recommend
directly printing on the
sheet with the UV curing
printers. The ink will
not bite into the
surface very well and
will be easily scratched
off. This is due to the
hard, glossy surface of
IF product.
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8. Can I use PS
vinyl on IF and FF? |
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Pressure
sensitive vinyl can be used with
both the FF and IF product. The
surface should be cleaned with
isopropyl alcohol before
application of the vinyl graphic
or print.
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