Artcare Restore versus Kool Tack?

[jim_p]

I was going to bring this up in the "wavy artwork" thread, but I think it deserves a discussion of its own.

Sometimes, when one wants a piece of art to stay put and nothing else will do, there's the question of dry mounting. The response I see a lot of the time is that if you're reluctant to dry mount a piece but feel you have to anyway, Artcare Restore is the best choice.

Thing is, I've sometimes had problems with Artcare Restore not holding very well, including one piece that came back because it was bubbling. Other times, I've had the artwork peel up with little resistance if I accidentally caught a fingernail under it.

I've had much better success with Kool Tack. It holds very nicely, but still releases nicely after re-heating.

So the question is: can one use Kool-Tack where one would have used Artcare Restore?

 

[rhop]

Kool Tack

Look Here

 

[Cliff Wilson]

As I understand it, the main difference is Zeolite content in the artcare product and possibly (not clear about this) a little denser product with the Kool Tac.

You have to decide how much that matters to you and your customers.

I've noticed an extra 30 - 45 seconds with the Artcare Restore seems to resolve the adhesion issue. It probably depends on your press.

 

[Dave]

Weighting is also important during cooling as with most any drymount.

 

[Paul N]

.. Other times, I've had the artwork peel up with little resistance if I accidentally caught a fingernail under it.

This is where the "Restore" part kicks in..... But as Cliff said, most likely it needs extra time in the heat press.

And also, this may take care of the bubbling problem too.

 

[ScottK]

Kool tack is made on acid free foam as well. Still reversible.

 

[osgood]

Kool tack is made on acid free foam as well. Still reversible.

I don't think 'acid free' foamboard is anywhere close to the same as Artcare foamboard.
I don't trust any product that is referred to as 'acid free' as being free of lignin.

 

[jim_p]

I don't think 'acid free' foamboard is anywhere close to the same as Artcare foamboard.
I don't trust any product that is referred to as 'acid free' as being free of lignin.

I noticed on the Kool Tack website a reference to Kool Tack Preserve, which is distinct from Kool Tack Acid Free. There's no technical details as to the difference between the two, though...

 

[Garnetta]

I noticed on the Kool Tack website a reference to Kool Tack Preserve, which is distinct from Kool Tack Acid Free. There's no technical details as to the difference between the two, though...

After having problems with ArtCare, we starting using Kool Tack Preserve and it's fabulous! It's a rag surface. We no longer have any issues of the piece coming loose or bubbling. I definitely recommend this product.

 

[Jim Miller]

My first acquaintance with Kool Tack was at WCAF a few years ago, when I had the pleasure of meeting Len Lastuck, the man I consider to be "Mr. Wizard" of specialty framing adhesives. He developed Maxim Glues, all Kool Tack products, and the new Dustcover Adhesive. My understanding is that he also developed the adhesive applied to ArtCare Restore, and his company originally produced the boards for Bainbridge.

Then, when Bainbridge began producing ArtCare Restore on their own, some glitches in their production process caused problems of inconsistency, which have all been resolved, as far as I know. Kool Tack Preserve was introduced as an alternative product. The adhesive technologies came from the same guy, so the two products are quite similar. In my limited experience, the main difference seems to be that Kool Tack knows more about how to apply the adhesive to the boards.





I am a satisfied Kool Tack customer and occasional consultant.

 

[Kirstie]

Jim,

Tell us about the new dustcover adhesive. Does Kook Tack show at WCAF?

 

[Jim Miller]

Here are a couple of links to previous threads on this product, Kirstie:

From three weeks ago

From last July

 

[Kirstie]

Here are a couple of links to previous threads on this product, Kirstie:

From three weeks ago

From last July

Thanks Jim, I miss a lot. Jeff just told me that Len came in to the shop when we started using Kool Tack a couple of months ago. He was very informative. Sometimes the left hand doesn't know what the right is doing