coating canvas prints…

[Martin Pearson]

Hugh, it will probably be down to temperature, which means you may get the same sort of results even with a spray on coating.
Is it water or solvent based varnish? If it’s a water based varnish then one of the cheap electric sprayers that people like Wagner do would work OK & easy & quick to keep clean. If it’s a solvent based varnish then you can use the small electric sprayers but if your only doing the odd small job cleaning the gun after use is a bit of a pain.

I know there are spray can options available but not tried any of them myself.

[Hugh Potter]

thanks MArtin, it’s a water based varnish I think, bit like pva glue but this time it’s gone all botchy, dried very unevenly but – in hindsight, I think it might have been because it was on a cold glass worktop so maybe it stiffened rather than dried the varnish :-\

[Martin Pearson]

Hugh I’ve got wagner HVLP spray system which works pretty well but if I only have the odd small canvas to varnish then I use a roller like you.
This time of year it is far to clod in the unit to be painting or varnishing so if I have small jobs to do I tend to take them back to the flat & do them there where it’s a bit warmer.

JUst another thought, this time of year when its colder it will need a lot more shaking up or mixing before you use it.

[Hugh Potter]

thanks Martin,
All valid points and all to be considered before I varnish the replacement 🙂

[Warren Beard]

Hi Hugh

I use frog juice, spray it on after stretching on to the frame

Warren

[Hugh Potter]

thanks Warren,

the issue I have is that often these are large board mounted prints that use a lot of matt black in them (HP water based inks) which mark easily so Ideally I’ll coat them first..

i’ll get some in though..

thanks again,
Hugh

[Martin Pearson]

How big is large Hugh? Frog Juice is good but not the cheapest of products if you have a large area to cover & you don’t need the UV properties it has do you?

Can’t remember the manufacturer but I use to use a spray varnish similar to frog juice but not as good, good enough for what I needed but a lot cheaper than frog juice. Will see if I can find an old invoice.

[Denise Goodfellow]

Hi Hugh

we use an arosol from a vehicle paint suppliers, we spray it before stretching as you can get marks when fitting it.

note: we do have to use in a well ventulated area due to the fumes. we find it much better than a roller as it leaves no roller tracks etc.

some folk swear by ordary furniture polish……

[Colin Crabb]

I use ‘Inkjet Giclee Lamination’, supplied by Canvas & Stretcher bars.

Sprayed on using a small portable compressor & gun kit bought on offer in Lidls – £50.

Just need to clean gun out well afterwards as it sets hard & blocks.

I always spray, gives a superior finish compared to rollers or brushes, something Galleries have picked up on in the past.

Have used frog juice before – also used it to seal metallic inks from the mimaki.

Satin varnish cost about £30 for 2.5lts last time, a lot cheaper then Frog Juice.

[Hugh Potter]

just as a brief follow up to this thread.. I ended up trying automotice clear satin laquer, it stinks a lot and the windows have to be open upstairs but it works very well.

it’s probably a little dearer that the gyclee pva type laminates but there’s no mess, no cleaning rollers, no roller marks when cold etc. worked well for me so far.

Hugh

[Martin Oxenham]

We just use Mr Sheen to protect it from scratching, takes minutes and can be used straight away.

[Steve McAdie]

Place I used to work at used Halfords acrylic lacquer. Just a light spray is all they gave it.

Steve