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My can "lid test" for tack

Hand Lettering topics: Sign Making, Design, Fabrication, Letterheads, Sign Books.

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joe cieslowski
Posts: 338
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 6:15 pm
Location: east canaan ct
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My can "lid test" for tack

Post by joe cieslowski »

I've been surface gilding for close to 30 yrs but I certainly don't produce the high level of gilding I've seen here and other places.

I think I have used most every method to test for the right tack. The knuckle dragging squeak test mostly. My problem was that the test itself had a "window" and I never knew where in that window I was. I started doing a test strip on a can lid from the kitchen recycle bin. I'd apply the size....wait, then pick it up and test. Then I would just walk by and hit it with my knuckle. By doing this I now knew at what stage the tack was. If the lid lifted easily, I'd wait. When I could just get it to lift, I knew I was near the end of my window and I layed the gold. The beauty of it is that it doesn't matter what the conditions are or what size I use. I always know where I am in the window and my gilds are consistant from job to job.

I just posted this for the beginners who may be having a hard time testing for tack. I hope it helps.

Joe
Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!
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