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screen printing => Ink and Chemicals => Topic started by: jvanick on August 08, 2013, 11:33:42 AM

Title: Epic Curable Reducer or Finesse?
Post by: jvanick on August 08, 2013, 11:33:42 AM
now that I'm starting to print a lot more jobs on the auto, I seem to need to thin my inks a bit... trying to figure out which of the following I should be using:

I typically print with Wilflex inks, so...

which is my better choice to get a softer hand and better printability Epic Finesse or just the standard Epic Curable reducer...

I could buy a gallon of each, but if somebody else as already gone through this exercise, would be cool to hear the opinions...

Thanks!
-J
Title: Re: Epic Curable Reducer or Finesse?
Post by: Zelko-4-EVA on August 08, 2013, 11:44:39 AM
we are using the PC system on our autos (and manual) and are not thinned unless the customer specifies it.

when we thin our inks we use SHC10140 Soft Hand Clear.
Title: Re: Epic Curable Reducer or Finesse?
Post by: dirkdiggler on August 08, 2013, 02:07:14 PM
all of those will work.  I think Finesse is cheapest, so I would do that.  That's what I do.  WHen needed, but honestly, its rarely needed in wilflex inks.  I only do it to extend my bucket.
Title: Re: Epic Curable Reducer or Finesse?
Post by: GaryG on August 08, 2013, 02:21:14 PM
Yeah mostly Wilflex here too, and recently went to Curable Reducer for the most part.
Finesse is thicker and used more to -extend (eg: make black go longer 10-30% and higher) than reduce.
Curable reducer 5-10% as specified to thin.
Title: Re: Epic Curable Reducer or Finesse?
Post by: jvanick on August 08, 2013, 02:52:51 PM
so I'm just getting started on the auto and it was a wierd problem for us:

I was having problems with Epic black on the auto, like it was too thick or something, it wouldn't clear the screen... we had a quart of IC's black and a bit of IC's curable reducer, printed just fine on the auto, same setup, pressure, angle, everything... all I did was clear the epic out, and put the ic in, and problems went away.

epic white prints out of the bucket, no problems at all...  go figure.

-J

Title: Re: Epic Curable Reducer or Finesse?
Post by: dirkdiggler on August 08, 2013, 03:00:28 PM
epic matte black out of the bucket is the dogs bollucks!  if you are having trouble with it, you shouldn't.  send it back or check your procedure.
Title: Re: Epic Curable Reducer or Finesse?
Post by: ZooCity on August 08, 2013, 03:30:21 PM
epic matte black out of the bucket is the dogs bollucks!  if you are having trouble with it, you shouldn't.  send it back or check your procedure.

Indeed.  Never a single modification needed with that ink.  It's the nuts.  Sounds like your bucket might've gotten partially cured in transit?  Try stirring.
Title: Re: Epic Curable Reducer or Finesse?
Post by: JBLUE on August 08, 2013, 03:58:30 PM
He does have a Javelin. Not meant as a knock at all on the press but you do have to do things a little different when running the V squeegee. I cut my teeth on a Jav and when I went to my M&R it was a learning curve in the opposite direction. The best thing to do is get setup with some triple duro squeegees. It will make a world of difference on that machine.