UltraBoard White DP Application Guide
Exterior Use
UltraBoard White DP is not recommended for exterior use. The paper facers of these panels will not withstand extended exposure to moisture.
Cutting
i-Cut Digital Graphics Router
UltraBoard White DP can be cut with an i-cut router for creating irregular shapes.
We recommend the following i-Cut blades for cutting UltraBoard White DP:
- i-Cut blade i-246 running at 163 feet per minute
Circular Saws
UltraBoard White DP can be cut with circular saw blades specifically designed for cutting paper faced foam boards. We recommend the following blades for cutting UltraBoard White DP:
- General Saw Corporation
1-800-772-3691
(PLF series) Saw Blades - Thin-rimmed High Speed Carbide-tipped Cutting Blades for Plastic
72-80 25-degree alternating teeth on a 10” diameter - Band saws with similar tooth design can be used
Hand Cutting
UltraBoard White DP can be cut by hand using mat knives, utility knives and razor blades. The key to getting a smooth, clean cut with a knife or razor is to use a very sharp, thin blade held at as low an angle as possible in relationship to the board. This reduces friction and allows the foam to slice rather than tear. Ideally, cuts should be made in more than one pass, especially if the board being cut is thicker than 1/2”.
Laminating / Gluing
No special surface preparation is required when gluing to the face of UltraBoard White DP. The surface should be kept clean and free of any oil-based contaminates. Although many adhesives will work on UltraBoard White DP, care should be taken in choosing an adhesive for its intended use. Always test the adhesive before a production run and always follow the adhesive manufacturers instructions.
Painting
UltraBoard White DP panels need no special preparation before painting. Surfaces may be simply wiped clean with a dry cloth to remove any contaminates.
UltraBoard White DP can be painted with the following:
- Poster Colors
- Acrylic Paints
- Tempera
- India Ink
- Latex-based Pigment
Exercise caution when using oil or solvent based paints as to not allow paint to make contact with the polystyrene core. Oil or solvent based paints can attack and deteriorate the foam board core.
Foam core edges that may be exposed to exterior conditions, including high intensity UV exposure to sunlight, should be protected from deterioration with a coating of water-base paint or similar UV barrier product.
Remember to exercise caution with any paint, especially when installation is intended for outdoor use. Always test paint on a sample of UltraBoard White DP prior to production runs, and adhere to all paint manufacturer’s usage recommendations.
Vinyl Application
UltraBoard White DP panels feature poly coated Kraft paper facers. The polyethylene coated paper creates an exceptional surface for painting and silk-screening; vinyl lettering can be removed without destroying the panel surface.
Printing
Caution should be taken with any ink. Always test ink on UltraBoard White DP prior to production run. Allow 24 – 96 hours after test printing to evaluate the suitability of the ink for the intended application. Follow all of the ink manufacturers instructions especially regarding any required ink additives such as catalyst for proper adhesion and exterior usage.
For best results in silk screening UltraBoard White DP panels, it is recommended the panels be cleaned to avoid the clogging of screens. This can be accomplished by wiping the panel with a tacky cloth prior to printing.
Drying
Drying by oxidation and evaporation is recommended. Follow ink manufacturer’s recommendations concerning ink drying times. Forced drying by hot air ovens is not recommended.
Ultra Violet (UV) Inks
U.V. inks can be used with UltraBoard White DP. Always test the suitability of the ink and the drying process for your particular UltraBoard White DP thickness. Allow 24-96 hours after test printing to evaluate the results. Follow all of the ink manufacturers instructions.
Screen Print Inks
The following inks have shown excellent results with UltraBoard White DP:
- Ink Designs, Inc.
- Flat Poster Ink (F.P. Series)
- Hydra Print Ink (H.P. Series)
- Multi-Purpose (M.P. Series)
- Poly-Enamel (P.E. Series)
- Value-Poster (V.P. Series)
- Ink Designs International
- Naz-Dar / KC
- Echo Print (E.O. Series)
- 7500 Gloss Poster Ink
- Satin Poster (S.P. Series)
Preventing Bowing
Bowing occurs when different conditions exist on opposite sides of the foam core board including temperature and coating applications. Potential for bowing is also much higher in thinner boards at larger sizes such as 4’ x 8’ sheets. Upon unpacking, panels that display bowing may be corrected by simply inverting the panel on a flat surface for up to 24 hours, allowing bowing to dissipate.
To insure maximum flatness in installation environments, it is ideal to utilize a thicker panel. If using a thinner panel, wood frames or extruded aluminum channels may be affixed to the sheet perimeters to maintain even tensioning.
If panels have a coating applied to more than 50% of one side’s surface area, ideally the coating is equally applied to the opposite panel side to achieve equal surface tensioning, thus avoiding potential bowing.