I have searched the forum and several books and find no mention about gelatine shelf life. There seams to be a consensus that after mixed with water there is a short shelf life of the gilding size.
My questions are:
Does the age of the gelatine before mixed with water effect the quality of the size?
Does the gelatine loose some desired properities with age?
Paint saving trick:
To eliminate dried paint skim, pour water on top of paint. (lacquer-enamal) *Besure to remove the water before shaking or stirring. I think it is called a moisture barrier !!
This trick came from an old Signs of the Times.
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Gelatine Shelf Life
Moderators: Ron Percell, Mike Jackson, Danny Baronian
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John Studden
- Posts: 150
- Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:40 am
James, Gelatin does have a useable life, especially the diamonds, I have used some that were probably a few years old that did not dissolve at all. When mixed it probably has a life of 2-3 hours, then it would be better to start with fresh.
The paint Tip reminded me of working in England where all of our board prep enamel brushes were never cleaned but kept suspended in water until the next use when they were brushed onto the same spot on the wall to get rid of the water, there was 1 brush for every common color, worked great...........
The paint Tip reminded me of working in England where all of our board prep enamel brushes were never cleaned but kept suspended in water until the next use when they were brushed onto the same spot on the wall to get rid of the water, there was 1 brush for every common color, worked great...........
John Studden
Valencia Signs, California
Valencia Signs, California
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Kent Smith
- Posts: 569
- Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2004 6:41 pm
- Location: Estes Park, CO
- Contact:
gelatin
I have covered this issue before, as well as on pages 16 and 17. The amount of time that passes before the gelatin will not dissolve well varies by the amount of ambient humidity there is in your area. The more moisture that is absorbed and subsequently dried out of the gelatin, will make it harder, so hard over time that it is nearly impossible to dissolve. Keep gelatin in a sealed container which in my area will keep it fresh for many years.
Refer to page 18 for prepared size. If you are working in an area of high humidity which has a "musty" aroma, there is a high incidence of mold spores there. This will cause the gelatin size to spoil rather rapidly, some cases in as little as an hour. In low humidity conditions, it wll last the day but often spoil overnight. When in doubt, make fresh. What some perceive as a clouded gild from too much gelatin has often been mold or mildew in the size. It appears as white, light gray or blue/white and may only be in small collected areas, where the size flowed during application. A drop or two of alcohol in the size can help slow the growth if that becomes an issue in your area, although that can accelerate the drying of the size, impeding a good flow-out.
Refer to page 18 for prepared size. If you are working in an area of high humidity which has a "musty" aroma, there is a high incidence of mold spores there. This will cause the gelatin size to spoil rather rapidly, some cases in as little as an hour. In low humidity conditions, it wll last the day but often spoil overnight. When in doubt, make fresh. What some perceive as a clouded gild from too much gelatin has often been mold or mildew in the size. It appears as white, light gray or blue/white and may only be in small collected areas, where the size flowed during application. A drop or two of alcohol in the size can help slow the growth if that becomes an issue in your area, although that can accelerate the drying of the size, impeding a good flow-out.
Denver Chapter of the Letterheads