Author Topic: Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash  (Read 2202 times)

Offline Rockers

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 2073
Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash
« on: August 02, 2017, 10:29:00 PM »
I never had this issue before but then we never printed Liquid Silver onto LuLuLemon running tops. We underbased the silver with poly white, looked all good at the end of the dryer and even as they arrived at the clients. But after the first wash he said the silver effect was all gone and now the print just looks grey. Shirt color is grey too by the way.

Can`t imagine that this would be due to the silver not adhering to the base proper. I would assume in that case the silver would just completely wash off and the base would become visible. The way he described it is that the whole print turned evenly grey.


Offline LoneWolf2

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 283
Re: Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2017, 10:46:46 PM »
Something leads me to believe that it probably wasn't washed properly by the customer since they usually don't know any better, especially with special effects ink. Most likely just tossed it in the wash, and the general abrasion from washing and drying just dulled the shimmery look.

I'm not sure if this is even possible, but in the future you may want to look at doing a clear base or clear gel print over the top of it to maybe give it a bit of a barrier that will preserve the shiny look (or it could dull it, just guessing at some other options).

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2017, 07:46:23 AM »
Something leads me to believe that it probably wasn't washed properly by the customer since they usually don't know any better, especially with special effects ink. Most likely just tossed it in the wash, and the general abrasion from washing and drying just dulled the shimmery look.

I'm not sure if this is even possible, but in the future you may want to look at doing a clear base or clear gel print over the top of it to maybe give it a bit of a barrier that will preserve the shiny look (or it could dull it, just guessing at some other options).

Exactly, I get the best results running that product without a base. Its always a possibility you over flashed the base. Usually you can get 5 washes without much tarnishing also retention time with that product is important especially with IR dryers due to the reflection. p/f/p incurs better results than a white base with that product.
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency

Offline abchung

  • !!!
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 481
Re: Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2017, 12:29:01 PM »
Customer complained about our silver washing out.

We assumed we did not cure long enough because silver is a good reflector of heat.

Offline Frog

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13980
  • Docendo discimus
Re: Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2017, 12:40:45 PM »
Customer complained about our silver washing out.

We assumed we did not cure long enough because silver is a good reflector of heat.
You assumed rightly!
And, in my experience, especially with the true metallics like Liquid Silver rather than the more user friendly shimmers.
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline screenprintguy

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1677
  • Constantly thanking the Lord!
Re: Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2017, 01:46:14 PM »
as mentioned above, don't white underbase it, double hit it and it will stay silver longer, Crazy thing that this stuff does, had to learn the hard way
Evolutionary Screen Printing & Embroidery
3521 Waterfield Parkway Lakeland, Fl. 33803 www.evolutionaryscreenprinting.com

Offline pwalsh

  • !!!
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 473
Re: Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2017, 02:26:00 PM »
Wilflex recommends printing their liquid silver directly onto the garment, and the addition of an over-print clear to protect the ink film from abrasion.
Peter G. Walsh - Executive Vice President
The M&R Companies - Roselle, IL USA
Email:  peter.walsh@mrprint.com
Office 847-410-3445 / Cell 913-579-6662

Offline pcshone

  • Verified/Junior
  • **
  • Posts: 30
Re: Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2017, 03:47:50 PM »
Wilflex recommends printing their liquid silver directly onto the garment, and the addition of an over-print clear to protect the ink film from abrasion.

Hi all

Note that "cold" wash only is advised for this product.

To improve the wash resistance you either print a clear over the silver as Peter suggested or, my favourite is to add 5-10% Epic HDClear into the Liquid Silver - this adds additional gloss as well as enhanced wash/abrasion resistance - plus you save a screen


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Philip Collins-Shone
Area Sales Manager, EMEA, Specialty Inks and Polymer Systems
+44 (0) 775 852 349
Philip.collins-shone@PolyOne.com

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2017, 01:35:24 PM »
Wilflex recommends printing their liquid silver directly onto the garment, and the addition of an over-print clear to protect the ink film from abrasion.

Hi all

Note that "cold" wash only is advised for this product.

To improve the wash resistance you either print a clear over the silver as Peter suggested or, my favourite is to add 5-10% Epic HDClear into the Liquid Silver - this adds additional gloss as well as enhanced wash/abrasion resistance - plus you save a screen

never thought of adding the clear to the ink? . Thanks

Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency

Offline TORB

  • Verified/Junior
  • **
  • Posts: 12
Re: Epic Liquid Silver looks tarnished after one wash
« Reply #9 on: September 02, 2017, 01:18:01 AM »
Hi Rockers, just print liquid silver metallic as a mask(underbase) and liquid silver metallic on top. 86 mesh
You should recommend your customers silver shimmer instead liquid silver metallic .
Best Regards
Fernando Nieto
714 341 7667
The Old Ruler T-Shirt Co.