How To Waterproof Poster Board? [Procedure & Precautions]
A poster board is a thin cardboard material; made from wood pulp or recycled paper. The poster board is coated on both sides and is used for mounting and screen printing. The poster boards have a smooth surface and are available in various styles.
The poster boards are exposed outdoors, so it is essential to make the poster board waterproof. Whether you create poster boards for outdoor sales or advertise a business- you need to use waterproofed poster boards to save yourself from trouble.
Since changing weather can impact your signboards, ensure your poster board can withstand the sunny, snowy, windy and rainy days.
What Happens to Poster Board When It Gets Wet?
Since the poster board is made of extra light cardboard material, it can become brittle if it is exposed to rain.
The water weakens the surface, and posters even start to crumble. Also, there are chances of mold formation on your poster board since it is made of natural material.
The untreated poster board is highly prone to moisture and causes more damage. If the poster board is subject to rain, it impacts the durability of the board.
So, make sure you take some protective measures to enhance the lifespan of the poster boards.
How To Waterproof Poster Board?
In this article, I’m going to share four easy and effective methods that will make your poster board resistant to water.
Let’s get started.
You can pick any method based on the cost and time, and all these methods provide the exact result if you are looking for a classy waterproof product.
- PVA adhesive glue method
- Fiberglass resin method
- Lacquer spray method
- Rubber cement method
Now, let’s dive into the article to learn about each method in detail.
1. Waterproof Poster Board Using PVA Adhesive Glue Method
This method saves your time and costs with impeccable results since PVA adhesive possesses the below advantages.
- PVA glue is non-toxic and is safe to use over poster boards.
- PVA glue is available in various grades: such as burnproof and waterproof, resulting in a high-quality waterproofed product.
- PVA glue provides flexibility after the drying process. And it gives more tensile strength to the surface.
- The glue remains invisible after drying, so it is most suitable for external usage on any product.
- PVA glue has a shelf life of 1-2 years, and it can sustain colder temperatures.
Required Items
- PVA Adhesive glue
- Water
- Paintbrush or roller
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Prepare your workspace
- Place sheets on the floor to prepare the workspace.
- Also, prepare your ingredients by mixing the adhesive with water in the container.
2. Apply PVA adhesive glue
- Now, coat the poster board with the adhesive glue covering all areas.
- Let the poster board dry for 2-3 hours.
- Then apply the second application of the adhesive on the poster board.
- Once it gets dry, apply the final layer of the adhesive coating.
3. Dry
- You could see the poster board in a shimmery look and let it dry for 24 hours.
- Now, you get the perfectly waterproofed poster board.
Precautions
- Always keep the glue intact since it doesn’t have a longer open time.
- Though PVA glue is non-toxic, it is advisable to perform waterproofing techniques in outdoor space.
Time
While the application process takes a minimum time of 10-15 minutes. And the drying process can take more than 24 hours.
The total processing time is around 30 hours.
Cost
You can find the approximate cost for the required material here.
- PVA adhesive solution – $30
- Paintbrush – $6
The overall cost for this method will be around $36.
2. How to Waterproof Poster Board Using Fiberglass Resin?
This method uses fiberglass resin which provides total protection against water, and you can find the benefits of the fiberglass resin here.
- Fiberglass resin can seal the surface and form the anti-corrosive protection layer for the poster board.
- This resin is known for its super bonding quality and its thermosetting reaction on the surface it is applied.
- Fiber glass resin protects the surface not only from moisture but also act as a resistant barrier against chemical solvents.
- The resin also protects your poster board from wear and tear.
- Fiberglass resin has a quick curing time, and it is ideal for repairing any cracks on the surface.
Required Items
- Fiberglass resin
- Silicone mat
- Paintbrush or roller
- Resin catalyst
- Container
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Prepare your workspace
- Place sheets on the floor to prepare the workspace.
- Then place the silicone mat over the sheets for extra protection.
2. Prepare the ingredients
- Take a container and add the polyester resin and the catalyst (12 drops).
- Mix it well and wait until the mixture gets set. It will take around 15 minutes approximately.
3. Apply resin
- Apply the resin mixture all over the poster board using a paintbrush. Make sure you don’t leave any area uncovered to get the nicely finished poster board.
4. Dry
- Let the poster board dry for 24 hours.
- You can apply a second coating on the poster board after 24 hours to make it more water-resistant.
- The poster board will be ready for use after 24 hours of each application.
Precautions
- Always use your safety gadgets before you start working on the waterproofing technique.
- Also, prefer a nice ventilated place, since the ingredients are flammable.
Time
This method takes up to 20 minutes for the waterproofing application process. And the total drying process can take up to 48 hours.
The total processing time is around 48 hours.
Cost
You can find the approximate cost for the required material here.
- Fiber glass resin costs around $100
- Resin catalyst cost around $15
The overall cost for this method will be around $120.
3. Waterproof Poster Board Using Lacquer Spray
If you are a beginner at waterproofing methods, then this method is for you. Since it involves a single ingredient and the application process are not tedious.
Lacquer consists of either natural or synthetic resin combined with alcohol that acts as an ideal sealant for the poster boards.
The lacquer solution provides complete water protection and is scratch-resistant on the surface it is applied. It is extremely resistant to damage and durable. Lacquer sprayed on poster board provides flexibility, durability and cold resistance.
Lacquer spray provides a nice finish on the poster board with hard and wear-resistant properties. The spray is easy to use and resistant to cracks, and it prevents the boards from shrinking due to aging.
Now, let’s get into the instructions in detail to create a flawless waterproofed poster board.
Required Items
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Prepare the workspace
- Place sheets on the floor to prepare the workspace.
2. Spray the lacquer
- You can choose the lacquer spray bottles, or you can get the lacquer tins. If you opt for one quartz lacquer, get a high volume low-pressure sprayer to get the desired result.
- Give a nice coating on the poster board using the lacquer sprayer.
- Leave the poster board to dry for 2-3 hours.
- Then apply the second layer of lacquer spray coating covering all the surfaces of the board.
3. Dry
- You can leave the poster board overnight to get completely dry.
- After drying, the crystal clear glossy finish poster board will be ready for use.
Precautions
- Since lacquer emits strong fumes, more ventilation is essential to do this activity.
- Lacquer spray stays for years but ensures you store the spray in a cool and dry environment.
Time
This method takes up to 20 minutes depending on the surface area of the poster board. And the drying process can take up to 24 hours.
The total processing time is around 24 hours.
Cost
You can find the approximate cost for the required material here.
- Lacquer – $15
- HVLP sprayer – $50
The overall cost for this method will be around $65.
4. How to Waterproof Poster Board Using Rubber Cement?
The rubber cement method works like a charm for your poster board. Rubber cement is an acid-free composition that doesn’t shrink or curl your poster boards. They are used in various outdoor products as waterproofing techniques.
Rubber cement is a flexible and dry adhesive that seals and blocks moisture penetration on the surface. Rubber cement stays for a longer time as long as you keep the container tightly closed after use.
The rubberized waterproofing technique protects the plasterboard surface by forming a membrane providing more stability.
It also protects from UV rays and makes the poster board more durable. Also, this waterproofing method is eco-friendly since rubber is non-toxic and can be recycled.
Required Items
- Rubber cement
- Paintbrush or roller
- Container
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Prepare the workspace
- Place sheets on the floor to prepare the workspace.
2. Apply rubber cement
- Take a container and pour the required rubber cement into it.
- Then coat the poster board with rubber cement without leaving an inch. Dry the board for 2-3 hours. Then apply the second coating of rubber cement to make the poster board more durable.
3. Dry
- After the second application of rubber coating, let the poster board dry for 24 hours. Your glossy looking poster board gets ready in 24 hours.
Precautions
- Always take precautionary measures by wearing gloves and masks while performing waterproofing.
- Since the ingredients are flammable, you need to choose a nice ventilated space to perform this waterproofing method.
- Also, exposing the rubber cement to air can thicken the product and make it not usable.
Time
This method takes 15-20 minutes for the application process. And the drying process can take more than 24 hours.
The total processing time is around 27 hours.
Cost
You can find the approximate cost for the required material here.
- Rubber cement – $10
- Paintbrush – $6
The overall cost for this method will be around $16.
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Final Words:
The poster board is made through the chemical and mechanical pulping process. It is manufactured by separating the wood fibers at high temperatures.
Although poster boards are flexible enough and have some resistant properties, treating the poster boards to any of the waterproofing techniques is mandatory.
You do not like it if your poster board becomes unattractive and dull within time. Waterproofing methods not only withstand water but also make your poster board as new as ever.
By choosing a time and cost-effective waterproofing method, you can increase the life of your poster board.
