What can be replaced asphalt varnish ?

[Andrey Kolmakov]

Hi all! I'm from Kazakhstan. Varnishes that are sold here, have a other composition Therefore, they can not be used. What can be replaced asphalt varnish ? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated !

[erik winkler]

Hello Andrey,

Asphalt varnish can be made by your self by mixing asphalt powder (асфальт порошком) with terpentine (скипидар).
Let is dissolve for two weeks and it is ready for use.

You could also ask an litho-press supplier (литография) for the extra thick black-tar-like resist and put some extra terpentine (скипидар) in it so that is more brushable.
With this method you are done within one hour.

This lady usses the same stuff in your language.
Reading

[Andrey Kolmakov]

Erik, thank you so much ! Especially for the Russian language

[Mike Jackson]

Andrey,
Asphaltum is a very old product and you should be able to find it easily. Asphaltum is a very important medium for printmakers, used to protect areas of a stone or piece of metal as they etch it with the acids. Check any good art supply store.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intaglio_%28printmaking%29

You can also do a Google search for Asphaltum and find lots of suppliers. Essentially, it is refined tar.

Good luck finding it,
Mike Jackson

[Andrey Kolmakov]

Thank you all! going to the market tomorrow:)

[Andrey Kolmakov]

Today I bought asphalt and turpentine. I mixed 35 oz asphalt and 3 liters of turpentine. This is the right proportions ??? How do you mix it ?? This is our asphalt. In our stores do not sell it in the powder. As children we were munching it as bubble gum

[Andrey Kolmakov]

Today I checked my varnisn. All asphalt dissolved, but when applied to glass it does not dry out I added more asphalt .Maybe this will help ....

[erik winkler]

This was a very funny site. I expected powder this block is something we in Nederland just do not have. I would put as much asphalt in your pot as possible (make shure you can close the lid so that the terpentine does not evaporate). Look at it one week later. Try to hamer down the block into pieces in a towel before you put it in the terpentine.

[Larry White]

Posted this instruction on making Asphaltum Varnish awhile back...

Making Asphaltum Varnish

-WB

[Andrey Kolmakov]

Erik, Larry thank's !!! I added more asphalt. waiting for results.