Kevin O'Brien (kob@paradise.net.nz)
Tue, 06 Apr 1999 16:06:05 +1200
This is what the original was about:
>>as I also do gum and have wanted to try adding starch or other "tooth" to
the
>>size. Specifically, I think that adding starch to acrylic medium might
work.
>>When I get to it, I will let you (and the list) know.
>Try using diatomaceous earth which is used as a flatting agent in acrylic
>medium and paints. A little will add quite a bit of tooth without
significantly affecting the transparency.
>Any printing ink manufacturer should be able to give a can full which last
a lifetime.
I use it for making up paints and for matte overcoating. There are different
grades. Some are used for to absorb unpleasant liquids and to make what are
called wettable powders - that's probably what the roaches get. Others are
used as soil conditioners and in filters. The ones used in printing ink
manufacturing are pure white and microscopically fine. It may be that the
silica they contain is hazardous but we are dealing with only teaspoons at a
time so a rubber suit and breathing apparatus, while it might arouse some
people or thrill an OSH apparatchik, is hardly necessary. You quickly learn
a technique to handle this ultra light powder.
I still think printing ink or paint manufacturers are the best sources. They
are worthwhile cultivating as a source of industrial chemicals and resins -
where else can you get 5kg of gum rosin ? The best person to contact in them
is the chemist in charge, they're invariably very helpful.
Kevin O'Brien
----- Original Message -----
From: William Laven <wmlaven@platinotype.com>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@skyway.usask.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, 6 April 1999 07:03
Subject: Re: Diatamaceous earth
> >I don't know if any of these choices are still available or would work
but
> >for what it is worth:
> >
> >At least here in the US diatamaceous earth is available in rather large
> >sacks from swiming pool supply coumpanies. It is used to pack the water
> >filters in some systems. You might be able to obtain some in small
> >quantities if they have an open sack around.
> >
> >Furriers use diatamaceous earth to clean furs. In that form the product
is
> >called fullers earth. I've bought small containers of the stuff from a
> >pharmacy (chemists) but that was years ago.
>
>
> I just used diatemaceous earth to get rid of an ant trail in my living
> room. Its sold as a "natural" way to get rid of many crawling insects.
They
> nibble on it and track it home and it dries the critters out. I think,
> though, that it always has a little bit of bait in it and it doesn't say
> what that is and who knows how it would effect a photographic process.
> Maybe ants would be climbing the gallery walls to get at your prints?
>
> But perhaps it could be found in small quantities at garden supply stores
> without the bait included?
>
> Bill
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b3 on Thu Oct 28 1999 - 21:39:30