Hi Folks! A while back I asked a question about painting shells. Well, I finished them yesterday, and they turned out looking pretty good.
But... I'm abit nervous about something.
I used Smith's Cream to glaze them, and added just a smidget of one shot colour and a smidget of mineral spirits to get a translucent colour. Like I said, I like what I accomplished, but they are not acting like they are drying at all.
The can did say that it'll take 72 hours for a tack, and it hasn't even been a full 24 hours yet. And the weather is quite a cold clammy here right now.
But ... they are still just as wet and oily as when I put the last stroke on them .... and I'm getting to thinking ... what if they don't EVER dry. YIKES!
They WILL dry won't they? Please say they will. PLEEEEEEZE!
~nervous nettie
Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on :
When I need to use Smith's Cream, I mix a slurry of Smith's cream, Japan drier, and turps.
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Nettie, what you can try is put some japan drier in a little spray bottle and mist a little bit on one shell and see if that helps...
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
Ask Kent Smith...he knows.
jack
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Can you mist them with peroxide? Where's Gavin? He'll have an interesting answer. At the very least, could they be placed under a lamp with a high-wattage bulb? I'd be scared to put a fan on them because dust might stick. Not that I think your house is dusty, mind you. Love.....Jill
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
What did the can say?
No reason to freak for 2 more days.
That didn't really help, did it?
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Yeah, I wouldn't worry yet, Janette, the stuff takes an extremely long time.
BTW, I guess you didn't get the email I sent you the other day...I was wondering what the font was you used in Design A in Signcraft for the boat name @ where did it come from? Thank you.
Posted by Doug Bernhardt (Member # 1568) on :
Yikkes!! Well they might never dry although I've only had this problem once....I learned after that. The problem with misting a dryer or hardener over top is the chemical structure is changed and not necessarily for the better. Smith's cream isn't the best gazing medium and in fact you can get much better ones in your local art shop. If it were me I'd wash them off and start again with "Liquin" or a linseed oil and turps mix.....but still give it a few days. Worry it over on Monday.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I don't think the Smith Cream has driers in it and requires the addition of a colored component with such. It is not a clear coat or a glaze, but a blending compound.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
It's Sat. Night, and still pretty oily feeling. But, I'm going to reserve my "freak out" for Monday. I really appreciate the suggestions.
The weather has not been very co-operative either.
I do think the wiping off and trying again if it doesn't set by this week is going to be my best bet. (yuk)
Will keep you posted on my continuing saga.
~nettie
Posted by Len Mort (Member # 7030) on :
I agree with Rick. Smiths cream was created to slow down the drying process for blending paint, Commonly used in the painting of large bulletins and pictorials the more you use the slower the drying, you would get the same effect by using boiled linseed oil neither would be considered a glaze.
Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
Smith's cream is basically hydrogenated linseed oil and will never dry on its own. Its purpose is to maintain a wet edge for blending colors and when used as a gound on pictorials can stay wet for weeks. To cure one must add varnish, drier and sometimes pigment will help. If a mist of drier or peroxide does not help, consider a coat of varnish, matte fixative or acrylic (either waterbourne or solvent) which may act to cure the oils.
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Love your new pic nettie! Posted by Bill Lynch (Member # 3815) on :
It's Monday....what's the verdict(he asked hopefully)?
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Well, it looks like this sign chick is wiping down shells today, and trying another route.
They are still very oily. Another lesson learned.
I guess it could have been worse.
Thanks a bunch for the feedback and encouragement.
~nettie
Posted by Bill Lynch (Member # 3815) on :
bummer...I know the feeling. I remember a similar learning experience-why cardboard HOT cups should be used for paint, never cold cups.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Well, here's an update. I cleaned off the shells, which really didn't take too long because they were so darn wet! haha
I redid them with One Shot Tinting Clear and just a touch of colour. They look pretty good, and the good news is .... they are already tacky! Yahoo!
I may play around with some shading on them tomorrow, and then I have to put kid's names on them. May finish them off with another coat of clear when it's all said and done.
Thanks a whole bunch again for all your good feedback!
~nettie
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Are these shells gonna be inside or out? For interior, you could get a few coats of shellac on them and then the glaze.
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