PolyGloss is a 2-part, high-gloss, water-based, sublimation coating for hard surfaces

How-to videos available on YouTube

This 16 oz. bottle will coat approximately 65 square feet

Full instructions are available on the Dyepress website

PolyGloss will provide a high-gloss (wet-look), sublimatable coating for the following surfaces:

• Ceramic Mugs & Tile
• Metal - Stainless Steel Mugs, Aluminum Signs, License Plates, Zippo Lighters, Clipboards, Dog Tags, Key chains, Nameplates, Aluminum Water Bottles, Fridge Magnets, Christmas Ornaments
• Polished Marble & Stone
• Hardboard (aka Masonite, Thrifty White Board) Available at Home Depot in 4' X 8' sheets with "white-board" finish. Home Depot will cut down the large sheet into more manageable pieces free of charge. Smaller pieces can then be cut with a standard jigsaw.
• Glass
• Wood [Hardwood is the best choice (i.e. birch). Avoid sappy wood like pine. The sticky sap will rise up to the surface when you heat the wood.]

*If you are sublimating skis, snow boards, skateboards, surf boards, etc., you may want to use PolyNatural (instead of PolyGloss) to embed the image into the wood and then apply a heavy-duty epoxy over the image to create a bold image that will not be exposed to the elements.

PolyGloss is a 2-part, polyester resin that can be applied with common household tools. It cleans up easy with water and does not emit toxic fumes. The catalyst is added at a ratio of 1 ml for every ounce of PolyGloss. The PolyGloss mixture has a potlife of 18 hours. Unlike most 2-part resins, the mixture can be re-catalyzed after the potlife has expired by adding additional catalyst at the same 1 ml per ounce ratio. Catalyst and measuring syringe are included in package.

Directions:
Step 1: Add 1 ml of catalyst per ounce of PolyGloss. Stir thoroughly. Mixture has an 18-hour pot-life. 

Step 2: Clean surface with water. Clean metal with a solvent like Xylol to remove manufacturing grease.

Step 3: Application

Brush application: Apply one thin coat of PolyGloss mixture (if the Poly is too thick, your paper will stick and your image will look "mushy"). If you need to add a 2nd coat, cure each layer of coating to be sure the coating is not too soft. We don't recommend foam brushes, as they introduce more bubbles.

Gravity-feed sprayer: Mixture can be thinned with 10% water for use with gravity-feed sprayer. Set air compressor for between 25 and 35 PSI. Apply enough PolyGloss mixture to allow the coating to flow together smoothly. The coating will look dull and textured if you do not apply enough coating. Clean sprayer and brush with water (do not use soaps or solvents).

WARNING: Wear face mask & eye protection if using a sprayer

Step 5: Sublimation times will vary by substrate and method. Whenever possible, press substrates face-down over foam (Vapor) or felt (Nomex) pad to get full contact with paper.

Here are a few examples: Press 4" ceramic tiles face-up with silicone pad for 4 minutes or face-down over foam/felt pad at 400F for 10 minutes. Press wood face-up with silicone pad over paper for 3 minutes at 375F with medium pressure. Press metal face-down for 45 seconds at 360F (turn temperature down if coating begins to bubble).

Instructions for coating the backside of glass:

1. Apply 2  coats of PolyGloss with catalyst to the back of the glass (dry between coats). 
2. Once dry, cure the coated glass at 340F for 22 minutes. 
3. Once cool, sublimate your image face down over padding for 6 minutes at 400F (you may need to increase the time if the glass is more than 1/4 inch thick). 
4. Once cool, spray a light coating of translucent white (i.e. Krylon Frosted Glass) over the image. Flip the glass over to see if your image is vibrant enough, if not apply a second coat of translucent white.
5. Once dry apply a topcoat of Rustoleum clear enamel (see picture above) to protect the white layer from scratches.

Coated substrates have no expiration date. In other words, you can coat a mug today and wait 'til next year to cure it and the following year to sublimate it.

UV Protection: We recommend applying a topcoat of UV protection like Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear Enamel Spray Paint (available at Home Depot and Lowes for $3.76) to ensure long-term color protection.

We sell our PolyGloss as a kit and you will receive the following items in your kit to help you get started coating your own products.

• 16 ounces of PolyGloss resin
• Catalyst 
• Measuring Syringe
• Measuring cups

If you are interested in ordering larger quantities, we offer the following discounted prices:

Trouble Shooting Guide

If you are having a hard time getting the PolyGloss to coat your surface evenly and you are having problems like "orange-peel" or "fish-eye," then your substrate needs to be "cleaned" with rubbing alcohol or a solvent like Xylol (aka Xylene) to remove the oil or wax residue left on the substrate during the manufacturing process. Xylol is readily available in the paint department at most hardware stores.

International Buyers:

All International orders are insured with ShipCover Insurance. If your package has not arrived in 14 days, please email us and we will file a claim with ShipCover to reimburse you in full or send you a new package, whichever you prefer.

Please Note:
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.