R&F Handmade Paints Forums

alisona · 2007-10-29 18:54:08

I usually use cradled hardboard panels for my grounds, but I need to do some large pieces (3 to 4 feet square) and have thought about using 1/2 inch foam core, glued to pine braces, as a ground to make the piece lighter and easier to handle. I glue 300 lb cotton watercolor paper to the surface and sides of my grounds before painting. It seems that the 1/2 inch foam core is much less prone to warping than the thinner stuff, and I'm hoping that the cotton would add more protection from heat. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks - Alison

mlavatelli · 2007-12-12 14:07:43

I have used braced panels made with 3/16" gatorboard with success for over fifteen years. It is possible to move large panels with relative ease because they are so much lighter than hardboard or plywood panels. However, the edges are vulnerable so I frame them with a "floater" wood moulding for both protection and aesthetics. I also use braced birch or luaun plywood panels.

Some years ago, in an email diaglogue, R&F Paints expressed concern that the heat from burning-in would create toxic fumes from gatorboard's polystyrene core. So I contacted gatorboard's manufacturer (International Paper, I think) and they said that the polystyrene would need to be heated to 400 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for toxic fumes to be created. If this is accurate, I think gatorboard is a reasonably good material for encaustic painting panels.

alisona · 2007-12-12 22:02:44

Mark - how do you keep the foam core from melting during fusing? I've done a few little tests and the surface "dimples" a little when using a heat gun.

Alison

Jim Talt · 2007-12-17 13:16:11

Seems to me like this disucssion should be posted in the technical catagory rather than the "Calls for Entries" catagory.... Possible?

sincerely and with no critisism(sp?) intended,

jim

alisona · 2007-12-17 13:36:54

Sorry - I'm rather new to this list and accidentally posted it to this category, then didn't know how to remove it. I did also post it to the technical category and got quite a few helpful responses.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Alison

Allison Miller · 2010-08-26 21:22:29

Hi Alison,
Just wondering if you've tried the paper on the gatorboard with a stretcher frame yet? I to have moved completely from wood to paper and have been researching someone to do this larger.

Also what do you use to glue your paper to the gatorboard? Seems like most things would cause it to buckle.

Thanks!
Allison

R&F Handmade Paints

R&F Handmade Paints Forums

#1 2007-10-29 18:54:08

Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground

#2 2007-12-12 14:07:43

Re: Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground

#3 2007-12-12 22:02:44

Re: Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground

#4 2007-12-17 13:16:11

Re: Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground

#5 2007-12-17 13:36:54

Re: Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground

#6 2010-08-26 21:22:29

Re: Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground

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alisona Member	Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground I usually use cradled hardboard panels for my grounds, but I need to do some large pieces (3 to 4 feet square) and have thought about using 1/2 inch foam core, glued to pine braces, as a ground to make the piece lighter and easier to handle. I glue 300 lb cotton watercolor paper to the surface and sides of my grounds before painting. It seems that the 1/2 inch foam core is much less prone to warping than the thinner stuff, and I'm hoping that the cotton would add more protection from heat. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks - Alison

mlavatelli Member	Re: Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground I have used braced panels made with 3/16" gatorboard with success for over fifteen years. It is possible to move large panels with relative ease because they are so much lighter than hardboard or plywood panels. However, the edges are vulnerable so I frame them with a "floater" wood moulding for both protection and aesthetics. I also use braced birch or luaun plywood panels. Some years ago, in an email diaglogue, R&F Paints expressed concern that the heat from burning-in would create toxic fumes from gatorboard's polystyrene core. So I contacted gatorboard's manufacturer (International Paper, I think) and they said that the polystyrene would need to be heated to 400 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for toxic fumes to be created. If this is accurate, I think gatorboard is a reasonably good material for encaustic painting panels.
	Mark Lavatelli

alisona Member	Re: Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground Mark - how do you keep the foam core from melting during fusing? I've done a few little tests and the surface "dimples" a little when using a heat gun. Alison

Jim Talt Member	Re: Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground Seems to me like this disucssion should be posted in the technical catagory rather than the "Calls for Entries" catagory.... Possible? sincerely and with no critisism(sp?) intended, jim

alisona Member	Re: Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground Sorry - I'm rather new to this list and accidentally posted it to this category, then didn't know how to remove it. I did also post it to the technical category and got quite a few helpful responses. Sorry for the inconvenience. Alison

Allison Miller Member	Re: Foam core/ Gatorboard as ground Hi Alison, Just wondering if you've tried the paper on the gatorboard with a stretcher frame yet? I to have moved completely from wood to paper and have been researching someone to do this larger. Also what do you use to glue your paper to the gatorboard? Seems like most things would cause it to buckle. Thanks! Allison Sorry. You have to be registered to access this content.