Re: protective coating for polaroid emulsion lifts on copper.

Carmen wrote:

> I am making Polaroid emulsion lifts onto
> mirror finish copper, which works beautifully, but
> they are very delicate and need a protective coating.
> Though that the varnish used for tintypes would help,
> but seems too complicated. What can I use? I donít
> want to loose the mirror qualities in the copper.

You should be able to use any of the spray fixatives that are acceptable
for use on gelatin prints. Unfortunately, I suspect that the fixative is
not what you need to worry about with respect to the copper. Copper is
very reactive, and the transferred gelatin is an organic matrix, loaded
with fugitive sulfur, oxygen, and other nasty things that will attack the
copper eventually. This may not be entirely a bad thing -- he resulting
look may be charming (internal patina in the image) -- but the mirror
finish and bright coppery color are unlikely to last.

Best regards,

etienne
Received on Sat Jul 24 09:38:03 2004