How long before KBS diamond can be submerged?

[Lampshade]

Hello! I’ve been using KBS diamond for some projects here, and I’ve waited 96H & a week after my last coat (4-5 coats, thinned, brushed, roughly 500um ~ thickness)… both times moisture leeched in (I put a lil’ food colouring in the water so I can check if moisture gets in visually) 

 

I kept the objects at 50-65 humidity for the first two days, and elevated it to 70-80% for the rest of the week. I’m wondering if this is insufficient cure time before moisture exposure? 
 

Thanks for your time!

[KBS Coatings]

7 days is the full cure time for DiamondFinish Clear under normal atmospheric conditions (temperature and humidity) and when thin coats of DiamondFinish Clear are applied.

 

Thinning or reducing DiamondFinish Clear will slow down the cure and can add to that 7 day timeframe.

 

You have applied a total of 20 mils, correct? An average correctly applied coat of DiamondFinish Clear should be 2-3 mils. So, it seems like maybe the coats were applied heavy which will also cause an extended cure time.

 

We are looking forward to hearing back from you.

[Lampshade]

Thank you! That helps a lot, and explains why my timelines weren’t lining up with what was estimated by the tech sheet. Yes I put several thinned layers on, they were given 10-24h between each coat.

 

Small follow up, after initial “dry down” (eg, dry to finger touch, no print left) is it okay for me to significantly increase humidity/heat to help speed up complete cure? Or will this result in micro bubbles under the surface. I was thinking of creating a cure box with an average humidity of 75-80% & temp of 66F-70F (could go as warm as 75-80F though, if the micro bubbles wouldn’t happen!)

 

thanks for your time and knowledge!

[KBS Coatings]

Quote

Small follow up, after initial “dry down” (eg, dry to finger touch, no print left) is it okay for me to significantly increase humidity/heat to help speed up complete cure?

Yes, absolutely. Humidity and airflow will speed up the cure of DiamondFinish Clear and when this is done AFTER the initial dry down, there are no adverse side effects.

 

Please reply with any additional questions you have.