Flexbond has a few specific points that make it really, really handy to use for quick armor priming to get a very smooth finish without too much time or labour.
Warning: Please note that cold weather/ winter will impact Flexbond.
- Flexbond has a high surface tension, so brush strokes even out easier than other coatings, giving a smoother surface.
- Flexbond is meant to be a glue, so it ‘grips’ itself as you add layers – minimizing drips and runs when applied in thin layers, while still drying without a tacky finish.
- Flexbond is water soluble, so if you do have drips or runs, they’re easy to fix without having to repair a large area.
- Flexbond dries clear fast – faster than any other brush-on primer.
- Flexbond is non-toxic, and can be used in small spaces – it doesn’t smell bad and won’t poison you with fumes.
- Flexbond, like the name suggests, remains flexible. Pieces can be flexed and struck without chipping or cracking. Toss your armor in your luggage for airport security or build designs that flex on and off without worrying about your finish or last minute touch-ups.
- Flexbond will coat thermoplastics and foam with the same finish, meaning that you can coat pieces at the same time and paint them without distinct surface differences.
- Flexbond can smooth Worbla’s Finest Art to a smooth, paintable finish in as little as 3 coats, and Black Art in 2, though your mileage (and personal preference) may vary.
How to use FlexBond :
- Make sure your surface is clean and free of dust
- Use a medium to large brush compared to your project, or a sponge brush, to help coat the surface evenly and minimize brush strokes.
- Use a somewhat damp brush to apply Flexbond for the smoothest finish.
- Apply thin layers, being careful not to apply so much that it will want to drip and run.
- Resist the urge to go over and over an area – Flexbond sets up quickly enough you can end up having very noticeable brush marks.
- Allow layers to dry fully (they will be clear) before applying the next.
- Mistakes, brush strokes, drips and runs can be carefully smoothed with a damp finger or brush, or gently wet sanded. Flexbond will reactivate with water, making for easy cleanup.
- Flexbond isn’t recommended for prolonged exposure to skin, so wear gloves if you plan on being really really messy.
- It can be wet sanded, but it can’t be sanded dry – it has a ‘skin’ that will peel and tear.
- The first layer of Flexbond dries faster than subsequent layers.
- Flexbond also makes an excellent glue for Paper Mache when you need some durability and flexibility, and it has been used watered down for wig styling as well.
- Flexbond can be watered down, but keep in mind that if thinned too much and applied to a plastic or foam surface, you may get ‘bubbles’ or ‘breaks’ in the surface tension. Experiment first before applying to a large project.
- Flexbond can be mixed with paint or tint, so you can save time by mixing your base color in your Flexbond for your later layers.
- Also: Your Flexbond will have a Bottled On Date (at the bottom). Remember that it will start to lose its consistency after 24 months
