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This is an interactive Bulletin Board on the topics of Sign making, design, fabrication, History, old Books and of coarse Letterheads, Keepers of the craft. The Hand Lettering Forum features links to resources, sign art history, techniques, and artists profiles. Learn more about Letterheads at https://theletterheads.com. Below you'll see Mchat has been added as a live communication portal for trial, and the Main forum Links are listed below.

Search found 61 matches

by Andrew Lawrence
Mon Feb 22, 2021 9:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: GOLDLEAF, ACID ETECHING, GLASS
Replies: 3
Views: 10361

Re: GOLDLEAF, ACID ETECHING, GLASS

No. You have to mask off the area that you don't want etched with vinyl (or asphaltum)
by Andrew Lawrence
Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:41 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: GOLDLEAF, ACID ETECHING, GLASS
Replies: 3
Views: 10361

Re: GOLDLEAF, ACID ETECHING, GLASS

That's Hydrofluoric Acid etching, yes. Was that your question?
by Andrew Lawrence
Sat Jun 06, 2020 12:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Water gilding woes
Replies: 3
Views: 11248

Re: Water gilding woes

Looks like something wasn't clean. Whether it was your glass, your tip, your brush or your size. You can clean your tip and watersize brush with dawn, just let it dry fully before using. Clean out your size jar with dawn and give it a good rinse. After you put bon ami on the glass, take a few paper ...
by Andrew Lawrence
Mon Apr 22, 2019 1:26 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Easy Water Gilded Pinstripe Jig
Replies: 2
Views: 13248

Easy Water Gilded Pinstripe Jig

I came upon a job where a client wanted some long pinstripes on a door. The problem was that they were nearly 8' long x 31" wide... and there were two doors. The real kicker was that they wanted burnished or mirrored gold leaf. Yikes. I learned about 5 years ago from Noel Weber how to lay roll ...
by Andrew Lawrence
Sat Oct 27, 2018 1:34 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Reproduction of a Scalloped Sign and Steps
Replies: 1
Views: 5173

Reproduction of a Scalloped Sign and Steps

I post a good deal on the social medias but thought I'd share here since it's an invaluable resource. I first saw the original of this piece in the book "California's Best" that has a small section on breweriana and glass signs. There's a local bay area man that has an original so I was re...
by Andrew Lawrence
Tue Jul 03, 2018 11:48 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: mother of pearl
Replies: 3
Views: 6105

Re: mother of pearl

Try Morning Calm - you can find it on Etsy and on Ebay. Pretty good quality

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MorningCalmStore
by Andrew Lawrence
Fri May 11, 2018 5:58 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Seaside signpainting - océan and salt effects
Replies: 5
Views: 4598

Re: Seaside signpainting - océan and salt effects

The Building painter said that because every house painter does two coats. They have to because their paint doesn't have the opacity to cover in one coat. If you get full coverage with one coat, just do one coat. You'll have to redo it eventually as all paint fades, cracks and eventually goes down h...
by Andrew Lawrence
Mon Mar 19, 2018 7:00 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: John Hastings III
Replies: 1
Views: 2506

John Hastings III

This may come a bit late, but I've found out that John Hastings has passed away last year May 9th 2017. Some of you might recognize that last name as he was the last of the Hastings family who made Hastings gold leaf. I was able to meet him once as he self published a book on his families history an...
by Andrew Lawrence
Mon Mar 19, 2018 1:19 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: My letters scratch away when i try copper glassgilding
Replies: 11
Views: 10174

Re: My letters scratch away when i try copper glassgilding

Just because a client wants something doesn't mean it is possible or practical. I'd just tell them that it is not feasible due to technical limitations. Furthermore, the water size is going to oxidize the copper and turn it brown or green over time.
by Andrew Lawrence
Fri Mar 16, 2018 6:12 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: My letters scratch away when i try copper glassgilding
Replies: 11
Views: 10174

Re: My letters scratch away when i try copper glassgilding

You should try using red gold instead of copper leaf. Copper is too thick to get a clean edge with unless you do your outlines first. Also don't use one shot to back up or for outlines, use nazdar fast dry enamel - I believe Handover in UK sells it.
by Andrew Lawrence
Sat Feb 10, 2018 8:34 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Colortones Paint Formula Book
Replies: 5
Views: 5993

Re: Colortones Paint Formula Book

Hey John

Thanks for posting it on there. I bid it and hope to get it from ya! Been looking for this booklet for a long time now!
by Andrew Lawrence
Tue Sep 05, 2017 11:02 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Colortones Paint Formula Book
Replies: 5
Views: 5993

Colortones Paint Formula Book

Anyone have a Colortones Paint Formula Book for sale or know of anyone that does? You got a phone number for me to call or someone to contact? Let me know. I work in a big city with people demanding PMS XYZ123 all the time and any help I could get on trying to color match would be a really big deal ...
by Andrew Lawrence
Fri Aug 25, 2017 11:06 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: How to Learn Gold Leaf
Replies: 0
Views: 8402

How to Learn Gold Leaf

Made a video on the different ways in which one can learn how to gild

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYQRd9Dwo6U
by Andrew Lawrence
Thu Jul 27, 2017 12:50 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New Dux and Old Rolco
Replies: 2
Views: 3412

Re: New Dux and Old Rolco

Yeah I was a bit surprised myself. He emphasized that the only difference between the fast size and the slow size was Castor Oil - and a great deal of it. It's what gives the long tack time for the slow size as opposed to a linseed oil. We did a smell test of Rolco and Dux a few years back at a Conc...
by Andrew Lawrence
Thu Jul 27, 2017 12:38 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Fast dry gold size
Replies: 4
Views: 5366

Re: Fast dry gold size

To echo Lee a little bit, the main reason to not use Wunda size is that it doesn't flow out well and leaves a lot of brush strokes. The other reason not to use it is because it ruins brushes. I don't for the life of me know how to clean it out of a brush and I don't think it's possible. Oil sizes le...
by Andrew Lawrence
Tue Jul 18, 2017 11:51 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New Dux and Old Rolco
Replies: 2
Views: 3412

New Dux and Old Rolco

Just got off the phone with a tech at Dux. I had given him a call because a client of mine wanted to know how green/Leed compliant my products were (kind of a pain in the as) so I gave Dux a call. He informed me that the quick size is actually Tung Oil based and not Linseed Oil. He also informed me ...
by Andrew Lawrence
Tue May 09, 2017 7:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Oil size problem
Replies: 2
Views: 3387

Re: Oil size problem

Looks like the size and the paint aren't compatible. Maybe try painting a thin coat of imitation gold/yellow ochre where you are going to letter and then hitting it with the 12 hour. Never seen anything like that though.
by Andrew Lawrence
Mon May 01, 2017 9:50 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Restoring Victorian Era Transom Gilds.
Replies: 6
Views: 6530

Re: Restoring Victorian Era Transom Gilds.

Like I said Terry, the only circumstance that you would use it in is if you painted the outlines of the letters first and then water gilded within them. I don't know what it does to them chemically - it might make it a tad less bright but there is no reason to put a detergent in your water size unle...
by Andrew Lawrence
Mon May 01, 2017 1:04 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Restoring Victorian Era Transom Gilds.
Replies: 6
Views: 6530

Re: Restoring Victorian Era Transom Gilds.

Hi Mike Thank you for the update. I figured out how to attach eventually. Hi Kevin No detergent is ever needed in the size unless you are gilding over an outline of a letter - for example, you painted black outlines for the lettering and you need to gild inside the letters. 4-5 diamonds per pint. I ...
by Andrew Lawrence
Fri Apr 21, 2017 1:19 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Restoring Victorian Era Transom Gilds.
Replies: 6
Views: 6530

Restoring Victorian Era Transom Gilds.

I just thought I'd post here on a typical gilding job for me. I am located in San Francisco and there are a real abundance of Victorian houses here - which means there are a lot of transoms. These are the glass panels above the door of a house that was just an architectural function to let in a bit ...
by Andrew Lawrence
Fri Mar 24, 2017 12:54 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Thorn Tip
Replies: 3
Views: 4018

Re: Thorn Tip

I've seen a few novice gilders use it with novice results. There's no magic tip (including the Smith Tip) that you can break out and get a perfect gild with. Every tip is just a tool and to have mastery over it requires time and practice. In my observations, it's a really slow operation and the resu...
by Andrew Lawrence
Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:16 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Appropriate thinner/solvent
Replies: 5
Views: 5596

Re: Appropriate thinner/solvent

I use VMP Naptha or Naptha - this was recommended to me by Ron Percell at Letterhead Sign Supply and it has yet to fail. It's also the main component in the one shot based thinners. Doesn't seem too toxic but then again exposure to chemicals isn't too bad in the industry. Minimal at worst.
by Andrew Lawrence
Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:52 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Swan Oyster Depot
Replies: 1
Views: 2523

Re: Swan Oyster Depot

I just saw a bunch of blue colors on it and a note, didn't see it actually scraped off and re-gilded though... Any photos?
by Andrew Lawrence
Tue Jan 19, 2016 5:20 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Hastings Gold Leaf Book for Sale
Replies: 0
Views: 8734

Hastings Gold Leaf Book for Sale

After recently talking with John Hastings III today, I've been able to convince him to sell me a number of copies of his self published book "Hastings Gold Leaf." The book catalogs the history of and manufacture of gold leaf, the history of the Hastings company and an appendix that feature...
by Andrew Lawrence
Sat Sep 12, 2015 1:20 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Plastic containers
Replies: 1
Views: 2743

Re: Plastic containers

by Andrew Lawrence
Wed Jun 17, 2015 3:25 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bubbling on reverse glass gold jobs
Replies: 6
Views: 8401

Re: Bubbling on reverse glass gold jobs

"Please give details of the product Shadazzle. I am assuming this is used as Bon Ami is used."

Same use as Bon Ami for gold removal. Slightly less harsh on paint. Nice Lemony smell.
by Andrew Lawrence
Sun May 17, 2015 9:33 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bubbling on reverse glass gold jobs
Replies: 6
Views: 8401

Re: Bubbling on reverse glass gold jobs

Just as an update - I used the above mentioned formula successfully on location. Gave it about an hour or two dry time for the outlines, then hit it with steel wool and gilded on top. No issues. Used Shadazzle to clean off the excess which worked well.
by Andrew Lawrence
Sat Apr 11, 2015 6:05 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bubbling on reverse glass gold jobs
Replies: 6
Views: 8401

Re: Bubbling on reverse glass gold jobs

Agreed Pat - Thing is Lacquer Thinners and VM&P Naptha vary a lot regionally. I know here in California a lot of Lacquer Thinners have been getting diluted and I know that VM&P Naptha is harder to find here. I've always been happy with VM&P Naptha so haven't ventured into the hotter lacq...
by Andrew Lawrence
Fri Apr 10, 2015 5:36 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bubbling on reverse glass gold jobs
Replies: 6
Views: 8401

Re: Bubbling on reverse glass gold jobs

As an update - I talked to a rep at Nazdar, someone with technical know how and he gave me a little insight. I initially asked about the 6100 series, specifically if it was light fast. The answer was that it has a 1 year rating, the 59000 series having a 2+ year rating. However, the tech I was talki...
by Andrew Lawrence
Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:25 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pock marks in matte centers
Replies: 30
Views: 50741

Re: Pock marks in matte centers

Did a little test - a 50/50 mix of LSS back up black and nazdar 59000 series, used Naptha to thin and Hardener. Water gilded it in 2 hours, backed it up with LSS back up and cleaned off the excess. No problems as far as I can see and that amount of 59000 series should be enough to not grey out, but ...