tcyin Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 I have a project in which I am mounting prints (mostly printed on Hahnemuhle photo luster) on gatorboard and then hanging them without a matte or glass or frame. I'm trying a cheap version of the metallic prints that are so popular now. Anyway, I'm having trouble when i spray the prints with the Hahnemuhle protective spray. For one thing, the instruction say to lay the print flat but when I do that I have to have the can oriented horizontally in which position the spray does not seem to be uniform. So instead I put the print vertically but have had inconsistent results with some prints showing dripping (obviously too much spray) and others where the spray seems uneven and then others where it seems to work well. I was spraying them once going in a horizontal direction and then turning the print 90 deg and repeating. Then waiting 15 minutes to repeat that procedure. I'm doing another batch soon so I intend to have the can farther away and spray a lighter layer. Any advice or experience with what does and doesn't work? Also, once the spray dries and one sees imperfections, can you spray it again? Thanks for any help! www.neurotraveler.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 A friend of mine who opened a studio set up an exhaust blower with a nearly vertical perforated plate. The suction would hold the print steady and safely remove the overspray. If you get drips, you are spraying incorectly - too close, and/or too slow, It's better to use two coats which dry quickly than one heavy coat. Keep the spray at right angles to the surface and continue spraying past the edges to prevent overcoating the edges and (likely) dripping). The spray should not look wet more than a few seconds, and never wet enough to drip, you Overlap the passes to avoid gaps and. uneven coating. You will need good lighting, and don't forget protective gear. Ask someone in a body shop to show you how it's done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_cox3 Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) I usually place prints on a 30 degree angle. I use a light a few feet in front of me that reflects off the print. It gives the best view of where and how much I'm spraying. As Ed has said, spray lightly, using overlapping passes. Start and end past the edges. Use multiple coats, turning 90 degrees each time. I use 2-4 coats, depending on the effect I want (and how brave I'm feeling). ALSO, it's VERY important to let the prints fully cure for a day or two BEFORE spraying. Otherwise you will get fogging from within the blacks due to out-gassing. Edited September 24, 2018 by alan_cox|3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcyin Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 Thanks Ed and Alan for the helpful advice! One other question: would you recommend spraying before or after mounting on gatorboard? www.neurotraveler.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_cox3 Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 After. The print will be flatter during spraying, so easier to see exactly what you are doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 I agree with Alan, but for another reason. The best way to mount a print is with heat on a vacuum press. A lacquer might respond well to heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcyin Posted September 27, 2018 Author Share Posted September 27, 2018 Thanks again! I had thought spraying before mounting would help protect the print from scratches, fingerprints, etc. but I think Ed's point about how the spray reacts to heat is the critical one. I'll wait to spray after mounting. www.neurotraveler.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_cox3 Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Just as an aside, the reason heat is not an issue for me is that I mount with PMA and not a heat press. But good point. The heating and cooling I suppose could cause microscopic cracking or separation of the lacquer layer. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now