Marabu ClearJet® Fine Art Type AFA 12 oz. Aerosol

ClearJet® Fine Art Type AFA is a solvent-based UV protective clear coating for use over most material, water-sensitive or not.
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CSClearJetFATypeAFA
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ClearJet® Fine Art Type AFA is a solvent-based UV protective clear coating for dye-based inks and water-sensitive ink/media combinations.

Use ClearJet® on most substrates, including canvas, vinyl (enamel receptive and non-enamel receptive), banners, fiberglass, wood, metal, plastic, and paper. ClearJet® is designed for water-based inks and can also be used on solvent-based inks when applying by aerosol or spray applications.

Series FA is made to penetrate the canvas, making the ink/media combination more flexible, not cause discoloration or color shifts and not react with the ink jet receptive layer of most fine art substrates.

•Use Instead of Film Laminates
•Contains State-of-the-Art UV Inhibitors
•High-Performance
•Highly-Flexible
•Waterproof
•Will Not Yellow
•Use on Digital Output:
•Piezo, Electrostatic, Thermal, Pigmented Ink, and Dye-Based
•Excellent for Water-Sensitive Inks, Media, Materials, and Products
•Excellent on Vehicle and Fleet Graphics
•Formulations for Specific Application Methods
•No Clean-Up Aerosol Spray Cans

ClearStar ClearJet Brochure

ClearShield vs. ClearJet Comparison Chart

ClearJet® FAQs:

How do I know which clear to use?

ClearShield is a water-base clear coating designed for use over any material that is not sensitive to water. It is specially designed for use in the grand and super-wide format industries, for use over electrostatic and thermal output, and on pigmented and piezo output which is printed on non-water-sensitive media. Also great for use over traditional signage materials.

ClearJet is a clear coating designed for use over most material, water-sensitive or not.

Can I clearcoat GO, GS and GX inks?

GO inks work well with ClearShield because they are not water-sensitive.
GS and GX inks work best with ClearJet because they are water-sensitive.

How do I determine which clear is best for my purposes?

Typically the simplest way to begin is to determine if you have any water-sensitive materials. If you do, try ClearJet. If there are no water-sensitive materials, ClearShield could work very well for you.

More details about choosing a clear for digital printing applications:
Digital printing requires a medium which is specially coated to receive ink. Thus, there are three parts to any digital printing application: the medium, the receptive coating and the ink. There are thousands of possible combinations so it is impossible to predict which clear will behave best for you. To make this easier we are compiling compatibility lists regularly and suggest the following:

1. Decide if you have any products that are water-sensitive. If you do, go right to ClearJet.
2. If you do not, try ClearShield or ClearJet depending upon your preference for a water-based or solvent-based product.
3. Always make sure your inks are dry prior to coating.
4. Always test before you do an entire job.
5. If you are printing on banner material, make sure you have allowed the clear coat to fully dry and cure prior to rolling so the banner will unroll easily.
6. Review our charts to find your media and our test results.

Can I clearcoat very small jobs?

Absolutely.

Can I coat extremely large jobs?

Absolutely. ClearShield and ClearJet are used by some of the largest producers in the super-wide format printing industry.

Can I clearcoat gold leaf?

Typically -- yes. But you have to decide which clear is best for you. If you use a water-based product to adhere your gold, we suggest using ClearJet.

Can I use ClearStar on floor graphics?

These products are not designed for high wear floor graphics. You probably need to use a 2-part urethane for maximum wear resistance.

Can I use ClearStar on paper and then bring it outdoors?

Yes, but make sure that your paper is well coated on all sides and edges. If the edges are not coated, they will wick and absorb water.

Can I use ClearStar's clear coatings for decks?

No, there are many products designed specifically for application on decks. See your hardware or construction supplier.

How much increased longevity should I expect with ClearStar's coatings?

Since there are thousands of possible combinations of substrates, ink receptive coatings, and inks, we have not done testing on all systems. In some systems we have seen durability doubled. In other systems we have seen a 50% improvement. Yet in other systems limited enhancement is noted. The variability can be attributed to differences in the fundamental integrity of the ink coupled with the film thickness of the applied UV coating. Significant water repellency, abrasion and mar resistance are noted in virtually all applications. We have had no failures to date with either ClearShield or ClearJet.

What about protection from the rain and weather?

Our clears are designed as UV protective top coats. Since our clears are also abrasion and chemical resistant, they of course will protect from rain, wind-blown particles and other weather related conditions. If you are coating water-sensitive media with ClearJet, be sure to coat the edges, since water can wick from exposed areas.

Do you offer warranties?

No. There are too many variables.

In addition to the combinations of materials over which our clears can be used, worldwide climactic conditions vary significantly. However, we have extensively field-tested our products and are completely confident that they are the highest quality UV protective clear coatings on the market. Our products being used in the harsh climactic conditions and high UV exposure areas of the Middle East. We have field tested our products for over 3 years in south Florida exposure and have found no significant degradation of our clears. We are confident that you will add significant longevity to your products by using ClearShield and ClearJet.

Can I use ClearJet on traditional painted signs or signs with applied vinyl?

Yes. These clear coatings help protect signs and make them look great.

Can I use ClearJet as a primer or barrier coat under enamels?

No, these are true topcoats and are meant to be chemical resistant. Paints and other materials will not stick well to the dried surface.

Can I use ClearJet on vinyl banners?

Yes, ClearShield and ClearJet are great on vinyl banners. These products are very flexible. They resist plasticizer migration too, so you banner will not only last longer, but will stay cleaner.

Is ClearJet graffiti-proof?

No, not per se. You need to specify ClearShield Anti-graffiti for this application. Our anti-graffiti coating is the ultimate for flexibility, chemical resistance and uv resistance. This two-component, water-based clear coat can be easily cleaned with solvent or specify Clearstar's non-petrochemical citrus based cleaner for removal.graffiti easier.

Is ClearJet renewable?

Yes. Just repeat the application if needed.

Do multiple coatings over time enhance UV protection?

Clear coats are renewable, but increasing the thickness of the coating beyond that which is recommended will not add significantly more UV protection.

Why am I getting some bubbles when I apply the ClearJet by roller and what can I do to eliminate these?

A.Stir the material do NOT shake the can. Shaking the can adds unnecessary air to the material. This will cause more than the normal amount of bubbles to occur, some of which may not level out. Be careful not to overwork or pump air into the coating.

B.Be certain you are using the correct roller. Clearstar supplies high density foam rollers which help eliminate bubbles.

I am a fine art printer. I'd like to add texture when I clear the print to make it look like it is painted instead of printed. I print on Sihl's ACM (artist canvas matte) media. Is this possible?

Yes. Although ClearShield is a self-leveling product, a customer has been able to achieve a painted effect by dabbing on the ClearShield with small pieces of different materials (like styrofoam packaging popcorn). You can experiment with this. Keep us posted!

I hear a lot about accelerated weathering and accelerated UV tests. Can you explain what these mean?

We at Clearstar Coatings always test our products fully and extensively. We feel, however, that too often accelerated tests do not necessarily reflect actual field performance. These tests often have spectrums that do not occur naturally. We are MOST concerned about how the products perform in the field since this is what matters most to our customers. We have our products field tested prior to releasing them. ClearShield for example, has been in the field for over 3 1/2 years in south Florida exposure and shows no deterioration. This is what is important to Clearstar.

Should I use ClearJet liquid laminates with the ColorSpan DisplayMakers?

ColorSpan inks are pigmented inks so both ClearShield and ClearJet are compatible with this printer's output.

Why does ColorSpan recommend laminating some of their output and which of Clearstar's liquid laminates might I substitute?

Some ColorSpan output has to be laminated because the surface can be scratched very easily. An example is the back lit media. This is also true with some Roland media. You can typically use either ClearShield or ClearJet for those applications.


I don't like the feel or look of film lamination on banner material. Can liquid laminates give me a more flexible banner with a better look?

Yes. The clear coatings will also provide protection from chemicals, abrasion, UV and marring. Our clear coatings also prevent plasticizer migration, so your banner will last longer and stay cleaner. ClearShield works great on banners.

I get residual color on my roller or pad when I brush or roll ClearJet. How can this problem be resolved?

You are not allowing your inks to thoroughly dry. Inks contain humectants to keep them flowing. Some inks contain more than others. Make sure that your inks are completely dry prior to applying clear coatings (ClearShield or ClearJet).Remember, always test before applying to the final product.

I am printing with an eco-solvent printer. Which clear do you recommend?

Eco solvents and light solvents are utilized in many ink jet printers. These low volatility solvents are much slower to dry than traditional “solvent” ink jet inks. Because of this, there needs to be careful evaluation and planning as to what liquid laminate should be used and what the cure time requirement for both the ink and liquid laminate is.

Clearstar has done testing on a variety of “eco solvent” systems and has concluded the following:

We recommend the use of Original ClearShield (Standard viscosity or Type LL) over eco and light solvent inks. For vehicle graphics, the addition of CX-100, our cross linking agent, will enhance alcohol, chemical, stain and abrasion resistance.

Our other systems such as CSX and VG may be used depending on dry time and ink selection. However, for fast production methods, both the ink and the clear will need infrared or accelerated curing. Care in the selection of transfer tapes should also be considered.

If a solvent-based liquid laminate is preferred, we recommend the use of ClearJet Original formula and A-2000 aerosol.


More Information
Condition New
Laminate Brand ClearStar
Laminate Type Liquid
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