------------------
Jack Davis
1410 Main St
Joplin, MO 64801
www.imagemakerart.com
bronzeo@swbell.net
------------------
The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Like Rick, I also like to use distilled water, but I like a little stronger size. I use 2, 00 gelatin capsuls or two flat sheet diamonds to a pint of water. The flat sheet stuff seems to be a little better quality, and dissolves easier. I usually soak the gelatin in a small amout of cold water for about 15 minutes, then heat it until the gelatin has completely dissolved, then add cold water to make a pint. The size doesn't have to be warm when it is applied. When I apply the second gild, I dilute the size to about half strength. If you mix the size too weak, the gold won't adhere very well and if you mix it too strong, it's hard to remove the scrap gold.
If you're doing silver leaf or any composition leaf, you'll want to mix the size about double strength.
Once you mix the size, it's only good for about 4 hours, so don't try to save the stuff. Also store your capsules or sheets in something like an airtight screw top jar, as it tends to absorb moisture out of the air. After it's absorbed moisture and dried out a few times, it kind of goes bad.
------------------
Jerry Mathel
Jerry Mathel Signs
Grants Pass, Oregon
signs@grantspass.com
------------------
"If it isn't fun, why do it?"
Signmike@aol.com
Mike Languein
Doctor of Letters
BS, MS, PhD
___________________
You know what BS is, MS is More of the Same, and it's Piled Higher and Deeper here
------------------
Kent Smith
Smith Sign Studio
Greeley, Colorado, USA
kent@smithsignstudio.com