TSB

screen printing => Ink and Chemicals => Topic started by: yorkie on May 23, 2011, 01:33:37 AM

Title: Ink for zippo lighters?
Post by: yorkie on May 23, 2011, 01:33:37 AM

I'm wanting to customize some zippo lighters. I fear that the wrong ink/paint would have quick and catastrophic failure. Any ideas?

Title: Re: Ink for zippo lighters?
Post by: woodrow on May 23, 2011, 08:05:24 AM

I printed some Crankcase covers for the Missouri Mules M/C club and I used the Enamel plus 59000 series inks,(Nazdar) they have several colors. It's an air dry enamel and the best part is if you make a mistake you can wipe it off and start over. I made a jig to hold the covers to print and used a clear overprint to finish them which had to be heat and scuff resistant. They were very pleased with the results!

Title: Re: Ink for zippo lighters?
Post by: Sbrem on May 23, 2011, 09:50:38 AM

We use baking epoxy inks for metals, NazDar something, I forget which. You have to grind it off. Something to remember, my Zippos from the factory eventually chip too...

Steve

Title: Re: Ink for zippo lighters?
Post by: blue moon on May 23, 2011, 11:47:46 AM

my thinking would be engrave it if possible. . . I know, not the answer you were looking for, but would be more durable than ink.

Title: Re: Ink for zippo lighters?
Post by: yorkie on May 23, 2011, 12:45:33 PM

Quote from: blue moon on May 23, 2011, 11:47:46 AM

my thinking would be engrave it if possible. . . I know, not the answer you were looking for, but would be more durable than ink.

Another thing I'm investigating is to use a blasting resist and selectively blast off the chrome to reveal the metal underneath. Last week i blasted the chrome off the bottom of a lighter and am watching the patina which is forming.