A friend called today to ask what a good slow gold leaf size for signs would be - she's currently using LeFranc but found it very inconsistant the last few times - I'm no help, I use quick size for trucks - can I get some input for what's good for signs, she wants to change. Karen Souza
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
Karen, Inconsistant...? I have used Lefranc for a long time now and have had excellent results.I find it just a little thick for my liking but it always has done the job. Hope they didnt "fool " with the formula. Old favorites that still reside in the "stash" cabinet are....Hastings....and Kurtz & Partners.Some of these cans are 30 years old or more. Both of these worked well.They were both tinted with yellow at the factory..sorry...cannot tell you if they even make these anymore. The Hastings tack lasted a LONG time...it was a good one. I guess I bought some Le franc..just to have some fresh product. Check with SeppLeaf in NYC...ask for Inez What do you use for clear on your vehicle jobs?
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
I've been through the "inconsistant" deal myself many times, only using quick size. Anywhere from 3/4 to eight hours. Slow was still sticky after two days. At the time I was using LeFrancs and felt that was the problem. Talking with friends and people at meets was giving me the impression it was something on my end. I tried a few other brands and got the same results. I chalked it up to the high humidity we get around here. There was a recent post on adhesion on here recently and the humidity factor came up along with some interesting observations. If I had a shop again, along with a thermometer, I would have the gauge that measures humidity.
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Hi Karen! I use quite a bit of LeFranc, and find that set-up times can vary quite a bit due to temperature. Is this the inconsistency that you refer to? Frequently we have been using Glawson's technique of mixing Lefranc and One-Shot quick size to speed set-up times, but only experimentation can tell you how to use these mixtures.
As far as I know, Luco still makes a slow size, and I've seen other brands in Britain that I don't think are imported, though you may be able to obtain by mail order. I'd be interested in more detail about the "inconsistency" problem with Lefranc though.
Posted by Ron Percell (Member # 399) on :
I dont have that problem at all, maybe her conditions change, maybe her time vary, but I doubt the la franc is the cause.
I agree with Cam, in using Rick Glawson 50/50 mix, combining One-Shot Fast with La Franc.
Practice Makes Perfect!
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
We have been using LeFrank for many years with no problems. I have heard of other people having problems, but it must be in the variation in set up time due to the temperature and humidity. Dusty Yaxley asked me to test the size by sizing a panel with many strokes and guilding each day. After 15 days it was still holding it's tack and guilding well. While teaching gold leaf in Nebraska, I tried to use Luco slow size. We sized all pieces late in the afternoon and first thing in the morning we tried to apply the gold only to find it had lost it's tack. Luckily we had another day to correct it.
Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
I always preferred Hastings but they have not made size since 1956, even though some supplies lasted into the 80's. I have a brand new can of LeFranc and it works fine, just as always. There are so many environmental conditions that will change the way a slow size acts that they are impossible to list. You should always make your own step test with all of your favorite mixtures so that you will know how they will react in your area. If you do a lot of work away from the shop, set up two or three typical tests so that you will know what to expect in a given set of circumstances and take notes. Intermixing the size or "tempering" it will give you a whole different set of tests to do for every mixture your create. As far as I have been told LeFranc/Charbonel is still using their original formula.
Posted by captain ken (Member # 742) on :
I have been using Luco 'cause thats what my supplier has. I have been wanting to try the 50/50 thing but I always get nervous about missing my open time, usually I use straight slow size and wait overnight, if it isn't ready in the morning I know it will be by the afternoon. As for quick size I like the One shot stuff, before I found out about it I was using Rolco, yuck.
Posted by Karen Souza (Member # 2453) on :
Thanks to everyone who replied to my post - I'll print them out and pass them on to my friend. Karen
