Glue to use for flocking

[Arron]

Hi. I need to do some flocking. It needs to be black. I have heaps of black flocking powder. Does anyone know what type of glue I should use to stick it down with. I was thinking I'd spray the item black, spread glue over it, then somehow spread the flocking powder over. The question is which type of glue is best.

I know Carbatec sells flocking kits, but not black.

cheers
Arron

[fineboxes]

Use a high gloss enamel paint the same or a bit darker than the flock colour used.

Give one coat allow to dry, scuff sand it and re coat.

While 2nd coat is still wet apply flock thickly over wet surface DO NOT TOUCH FOR 24HRS.

After 24 hrs shake off excess flock, save it as you can reuse it.

Presto all done.

For a really good and inexpressive flock applicator go to the kitchen department of your nearest supermarket and spring $2.00 for a steel flour sieve. Works a treat used one for over a decade.

Cheers

Steve

[Ausworkshop]

I've always been scared to use flocking, I thought it would wear over time and create dust so I always use good quality thick wool felt but I'd imagine flocking would be much quicker to apply especially for curved surfaces or dividers and boxes with custom made holders. To me it seems like a shortcut instead of putting the time in to create something of quality but that's just my personal opinion. Perhaps its just because I've seen it flaking off all over the place inside cheap jewelery boxes made in China.

[Arron]

Thanks Steve, never would have thought of paint as the adhesive, and thanks for anticpating my question about applicators. I tried using puff bottles and a few other methods but had no great success, which seems to be because the flocking clumps together - could be the humid weather today.

cheers
Arron

[wood hacker]

Aaron

Steve gives good advice. What I have found for small items, like drawers from bandsawn boxes, to prevent the flocking from getting all over the place I keep it in a plastic zip lock bag. When you have put your second coat of paint on, pop the drawer into the bag, seal it up (don't squeeze the air out leave it full). Holding the sides of the draw hold it upside down at the top of the bag and shake. The fibers adhere to paint and stand proud rather than being pressed flat into the coating, which gives a softer feel to the finish. I generally then invert the draw back the right way leaving whatever excess flocking is there and as Steve said, don't touch it for 24 hours. Then you can just take it out of the bag, shaking the excess back into the bag, ready for next time. A quick wipe over the rest of the drawer will remove any flocking sticking to the outside.

cheers
WH.

[Rod Gilbert]

+1 for paint. Same colour as your flock then treat as stated by others. We used to use a flocking gun on the compressor but the sieve sounds as good as any to distribute it.
Regards Rod.

[mn pete]

Great advice! I'm getting ready to try my first band sawn boxes soon. Glad I saw this one!

[Jim Carroll]

To get the paint you need take the flock to your local paint shop and get a sample pot of paint to match the color of the flock.

As indicated earlier make sure you sieve the flock before you apply to the piece then run through the sieve again to apply.

The flock gets clumpy and if you dont run through the seive it will give a horrible finish

[Drillit]

CarbAtec also sell the flocking pump - simple cardboard cylinders with holes in one end. The other way is to
mix acrylic black paint (carbon) from Art shop into PVA glue mix and brush on, then add flocking as per pump.
Leave for a day and then put excess back into plastic container after shaking out. Hope that helps. Drillit.

[John T]

HI ARRON,

great advice using kitchen scive it works a treat i use it all the time.
john