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Glass gold sealer

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

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Robert Schwieger
Posts: 123
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:38 pm
Location: Nebraska

Glass gold sealer

Post by Robert Schwieger »

With information bouncing around regarding blistering and other failures of gold on glass I am wondering what IS the recomended final clear sealer. Years ago I was advised ( and used) DuPont DUCO Clear Automotive for the final sealer. It held up well but unfortunately it is no longer available. Your kind assistance is appreciated. Thank you. Bob
John Studden
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:40 am

Post by John Studden »

Bob, I am of the opinion that there is no good varnish available for this purpose & has not been for years. I have not varnished a window job in years & with the good resins & hardeners in Back Up Enamel it is not really needed, it also cheapens the job making it look more like a "Transfer" of some sort. What is needed is education for window cleaners who insist on attacking Gold jobs with squeegees & abrasive cleaners, when all they really need is an occasional wipe with a damp cloth. The varnish is always the first thing to Go, taking the edges with it eventually. Make some miniature window cleaning instructions & "No Squeegee"
vinyl stickers to place on the back of the finished job, & have a word with the cleaning crew if possible......hope this helps.
John Studden
Valencia Signs, California
Doug Bernhardt
Posts: 1077
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 9:29 am
Location: Ottawa Canada
Contact:

Post by Doug Bernhardt »

Agreed....I would add that a nice job I did several years ago is in it's last days for all the reasons John has mentioned. It was also soaking wet all winter from the humidity and condensation a Canadian winter can bring. The first thing to go was the varnish (Window Spar) and the outlines which did look like a decal, hydrated and took on a foggy appearance. I'm not actually sure what constitutes window spar (www) but I have seen white water Spar advertised from a local (and well recommended) company. I also have to add that I have glass pieces that are 15years old and still fine as they have been free of interference via window washers and their lot. I would concider putting another piece of glass behind anything I do nowadays.
vance galliher
Posts: 321
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 11:38 pm
Location: springfield, or.
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Post by vance galliher »

Hi Doug.......do you mean like a sandwich....but wouldn't that create a condensation matters.......... or like a thermal pane? I agree with the "decal" look.
Doug Bernhardt
Posts: 1077
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 9:29 am
Location: Ottawa Canada
Contact:

Post by Doug Bernhardt »

I'm not exactly sure how this older piece of mine (Courtyard Restaurant) was done. A peek would reveal and am willing to be it was standing off the back with a silcone bead in between. Next time I'm uptown I'll make it a point to look.
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