Archival Substrates

[Uncle Eli]

Okay, so I have a painter who is looking for the most Archival Solid Panel (like massonite) to paint on. Is there an Acid count for massonite? The less expensive the better also.
Thanks

 

[preservator]

Masonite is essentially compressed bark and can
be considered lignin-rich, i.e. not inert. Di Bond, Aluco Bond, and acrylic or polycarbonate
sheet are likely to be more stable, chemically
and physically, over time.


Hugh

 

[stud d]

Di bond is a good surface to cover with a museum board. Or one could use Coroplast and mount rag board to that as well. If it is a large item being painted you may want to use two pieces on coroplast and mount the boards with the flute running perpendicular to each other.

Good Luck

PL

Ok I just read, solid support, dibond

 

[osgood]

Originally posted by preservator:
Masonite is essentially compressed bark and can
Hugh

Down here in Oz, Masonite is made from wood, solid wood and certainly not bark. I have had the privilege of watching the process from trees to sheets. Really interesting to see!

 

[Jim Miller]

Ormond,
Whatever part of the tree is used to make that sort of board, it is minimally-processed wood and it contains plenty of lignin.

 

[Val]

I lived across the street from a Masonite plant for many years. Trees went in, lots and lots of trainloads and truckloads of logs. Not much "processing" going on in there, just chipping and pressing, and every part of those logs, bark and all, were used. I'd say NOT archival at all. The glue alone is nasty stuff, not counting the acidic wood.

Place caught fire once and talk about a hot one, whew!! Took a couple of days to put it out, and pee-yew! Burning wood and chemicals made for some pretty toxic air for a few days.