Gesso problems

[Chris1280]

Hi everyone

I am new here and have just started to gild my own frames. I am a artist. I am having problems with cracking up from the sight edge it's driving me mad !!!!

I have put silk over the corners and the wood has been primed with the rabbit skin glue before hand. My gesso is a is 600mlwhitening and 500ml glue. The glue strength is 1 part glue 8parts water.

Does anyone have any answers !!!!


Many thanks
Chris

[Not your average framer]

I've read that glycerene can be added to make gesso less brittle and to add some slight flexibilty. Hopefully someone else knows the recipe.

[allyblue1]

Not sure that I will be any help, but just a couple of things.

When you apply the silk in the corners I was taught to leave to dry for 24 hours, but could take up to 3 days to fully dry.

I was also taught, before making your size soak your parchment clippings over night first?

I will try and dig out any recipes that I have.

[JFeig]

boiled linseed oil is another additive to make gesso more flexible about 5ml per 500lm.

I also think that your Rx is a bit too strong.

By Rx is
4 parts whitting
2 parts water
1 part stock RSG

[Chris1280]

Thanks for all the tips! I will go and try them.

Many Thanks

[Chris1280]

boiled linseed oil is another additive to make gesso more flexible about 5ml per 500lm.

I also think that your Rx is a bit too strong.

By Rx is
4 parts whitting
2 parts water
1 part stock RSG

Hi jfieg

By stock rsg do you mean un-cooked ?

Thanks

[JFeig]

Stock RSG is glue that is the standard Rx for glue that has been set aside to absorb the water. It is warmed(65°C max) and never boiled. When it is overheated the protein molecules are shortened. Thus reducing the strength.

[vintage frames]

From what you've said, it appears your gesso is too strong. A good mix for the glue is one part vol glue to 10 parts vol water, then a mix of 50:50 whiting to glue. Make sure the gesso dries slowly and don't build up too thick a layer.

[Chris1280]

Thanks for you advice.Going to give it a go
Chris

[Linda]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I put the spray gun in the oven this afternoon to warm it up before trying out spraying again. I was so engrossed in mixing up the glue that I forgot about the gun and put the roast dinner on!!! nearly roasted my spray gun as well. Anyway after adding a wider pipe to the compressor, the now warmed spray gun did not work and I resulted in putting it aside again. I have to admit that the compressor is not good enough. I've looked at the Machine Mart website and will go off to visit them tomorrow (with pot of glue under my arm to show them). Fingers crossed.