Posted by John Grenier on April 29, 2003
Mike JacksonAfter reading Rick's directions for asphaltum resist glue chip method I have a question regarding Asphaltum Varnish.
I have two products on the shelf that I have been using to tone over surface gold work, they last a long time and quite old now. The first is a half-pint SSS En...... Greeley Co "Signwriters Asphaltum" the other is a pint Commonwealth varnish co. "Glazing Asphaltum" I purchased both from Rick.
Are these the products I need to use/make ashaltum varnish?
If not where do I get it? I did see the post about 5 gal from Sherwin Williams but not other source and still looking for Commonwealth Varnish.
Thanks John
Kent SmithJohn,
Kent Smith made the "Signwriters Asphaltum" and he also used to make Damar Varnish for center embellishments. Rick was probably repackaging the Sherwin Willimas asphaltum into smaller quantities and probably still using the Commonwealth brand. Either one should work fine for the asphaltum resist technique.
You might be able to contact Paul at Esoteric Sign Supply if you call after normal hours...like 6:00 pm Pacific. He would still have additional asphaltum if you need quarts or smaller. Lastly, check out the list linked below. There are numerous places that sell asphaltum.
I am waiting for an email from Tom at SignCraft. Upon my request, they are making the article I did on this technique in issue #95 available as a PDF document from their site. That should happen any day now. Of course, if you have the old issue, you can read it from the original source.
I'll let this BB know when it is avialable.
Good luck,
Mike Jackson
Sign Products Supply Page
http://www.goldenstudios.com/esoteric.htm
The asphaltum I made is a heavy suspension raw asphaltum suitable for resist. Rick used my formula and took over production under the Commonwealth line which suited me just fine. The Asphaltum-V or Varnish is a different material alltogether. The varnish base is ready mixed and used for surface toning and for waterproof undercoating. Rick sold the asphaltum-v as well. Check to be sure which version you have. Raw asphaltum can be mixed into your favorite varnish for surface toning and shading. One of the versions from SW is asphaltum-v and should not be confused with asphaltum suspension. It cannot be cleaned off of glass too easily since it has a varnish base instead of just being solubalized asphaltum tars.
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