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SHIMRIN® Neons (NE) are universal base coats that may simply be cleared for a final finish, or used as a base coat for Kandys. Due to their unique chemistry make-up, they may be top coated with either acrylic lacquer or urethane enamel. Once a system is chosen (acrylic lacquer or urethane enamel) use only products within that system. For example: If Neon is top coated with an acrylic lacquer Kandy, it must also be cleared with an acrylic lacquer clear.
USE WITH DISCRETION! Neons have limited colorfastness in the sun. Neons are not recommended for overall refinishing or where long life is a requirement. Neons are designed for high visual impact on racecars, boats, cycles, etc., where colorfastness is not the priority, but eye-grabbing brightness is.
Read 'TECH PREP' thoroughly before you begin painting. SHIMRIN® Neons are susceptible to staining or bleeding from plastic fillers, putties, fiberglass resins and some primers. To prevent staining, strip bare (or to OEM primer) and prime with our KP-2CF Chromate Free Kwikure Epoxy Primer or our KP-21 Kwikure Epoxy Primer. See tech sheets for more information on KP Primers.
UNIFORM COVERAGE OF PRIMER OR SEALER IS REQUIRED BEFORE APPLICATION OF BASE COAT.
We recommend using KO-SEAL II KS-10 or KS-210 White under the Neons. Follow label instructions. Allow flash time on sealer. See tech sheets for more information on KO-SEAL II and primers.
NOTE: Sealer is not a cure-all for poor preparation and does not prevent discoloration or bleeding.
Use our Kosmic Kolor SHIMRIN® BC-26 White, KO-SEAL II KS-10 or KS-210 as a base coat for all Neons.
This will give the Neons maximum brightness. Apply 2-4 medium coats of BC-26 with 50 pattern overlap. Allow flash time between coats. Maintain thorough coverage.
NOTE: A OEM white or jelcoat may also be sanded with 400-500 grit wet and used as a base for Neons. Do individual testing to be sure of compatibility.
NOTE: Do not apply over other companies' paint products. Lifting or splitting may occur when Neon is applied over other companies' bases.
Neons need a white base for brightness, but other base colors can be used for special effects. Life of the Neons can be greatly increased by tinting the white base with a Neon or SG Graphic Kolor to make a pastel base close to the Neon topcoat color (try mixing 50 BC-26 and 50 Neon). Do individual testing as some brilliance may be lost.
Shake or stir Neon well. Reduce 50 (2 parts paint to 1 part reducer). Mix well. Some painters add SG-100 to the Neons for extra control. Maximum recommended addition of SG-100 is 25 by volume. Over-reduction adds control as well.
REDUCE ONLY WITH OUR KOSMIC REDUCERS. Use the reducer best suited to your shop temperature.
No booth - use the next fastest reducer. See tech sheet for more information on reducers.
NOTE: Some painters add small amounts (usually 1 to 2 ) of BC-26 to beginning coats to eliminate streaks and blotches. Also, the life of the Neons will improve by tinting the BC-26 base with one of our Neons or SHIMRIN® Graphic Kolors (use a color closest to the Neon color - 50 BC-26 to 50 Neon).
NOTE: Splitting or cracking is possible when using other companies' reducers or by using a reducer that is too slow for your shop conditions. Splitting or cracking may also occur when painting too fast without allowing proper dry time or by applying the base too wet and heavy.
NOTE: Neons may be intermixed for additional neon colors. Do individual testing.
Strain the paint into the paint gun. Air pressure 50-60 psi at the gun. 10 psi at nozzle of HVLP. Gun distance while spraying should be approximately 6 inches. Apply 2-4 medium to wet coats with 75 pattern overlap. Walk long objects. Allow flash time between coats. Neons will dry dull, as will all SHIMRIN's®. Do not spray with a full trigger pull as this may cause blotching.
NOTE: When using NE-502 Pink or NE-511 Rose, if color is sprayed on too heavy or applied with too many coats, it can start to turn orange. Bring color on more slowly when using these colors and restrict trigger pull or material sprayed.
NOTE: Too much Neon will diminish the base, thus changing the tone and brightness of the Neon. If the base is squelched from too many coats of Neon, add BC-26 to the Neon and recoat; then finish with pure reduced Neon. This is particularly prone to happen with NE-502 Pink and NE-511 Rose, but can occur with other Neons as well. Restrict material control on the gun, not the fan, work within 6-inch gun distance; pattern 4 to 5 inches with 75 pattern overlap. Apply 2 to 3 coats. Pay attention to the color building.
NOTE: 3 coats of Neon equals 1/2 to 3/4 mil, leaving a minimal edge. (Tape pulls away leaving a clean, low edge.)
Allow dry time before Kandy or clear is applied (usually about 30 minutes and not longer than 12 hours).
DO NOT DRY NEONS OUTSIDE IN THE SUN! The first 5 hours of sun are the most critical and care must be taken to prevent sun fade or discoloration at these early stages.
NOTE: Taping on Neons may discolor the Neon, and washing in sunlight may water spot or discolor the Neons.
SHIMRIN® Neons, with their low solids, are an excellent choice for artwork paint jobs.
DO NOT TAPE DIRECTLY ONTO THE NEON BASE COAT. If artwork is planned, apply 1 or 2 medium coats of SG-100 Intercoat Clear (for urethane enamel topcoats) or C-1 Kustom Clear (for acrylic lacquer topcoats). The clear coat will protect the Neon Base from tape marks and allow clean up of mistapes. See tech sheet for more information on SG-100 Intercoat Clear.
The strength of the Neons may be enhanced by top coating with any of our Pearls or Kandys. Read and follow label instructions. Remember if you Kandy with acrylic lacquer, you must also clear with acrylic lacquer. (If you Kandy with urethane enamel, you must also clear with urethane enamel).
ALL NEONS MUST BE CLEAR-COATED (with either urethane enamel or acrylic lacquer). Once a system is chosen, after the base coat, stay with that system. Use UC-1 Kosmic Klear, UFC-1 Flo-Klear, UFC-19 Kosmic Klear, UFC-35 Flo-Klear, or UC-35 Kosmic Klear for urethane enamel topcoats; and Kustom Kolor SC-1 Sunscreen Clear for acrylic lacquer topcoats. These clears contain extra sun filters for longer life of the Neons. See tech sheets for more information on clear coat application.
SHIMRIN® Designer Pearls, Neons, Graphic Kolors, BC & FBC Metallics may be intermixed (or added in small amounts) for hundreds of additional creative effects. The possibilities are endless. Create your own one-of-a-kind custom finish.
FOR EXTENDED LIFE, COVER OR SHIELD THE NEONS FROM THE SUN WHENEVER POSSIBLE. AVOID CONSTANT DAY TO DAY SUN EXPOSURE.