drymounting on aluminum

[framerbob]

Is it possible to adhere photos to aluminum, in a mechanical press with regular mounting tissue? Will it stick? or does the hot aluminum substrate not allow for the mounting tissue to bond correctly?

I've seen lots of threads on here talking about mounting to aluminum, and how its best to send it out to labs who specialize in that sort of thing, but I've got a client who just wants some 8x10 photos mounted to 8x10 pieces of aluminum for a temporary job, doesn't have to be archival or last for ever.

I told him we could play around with it, I was just wondering if anyone has done this?

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Fusion or any other film will work fine. I don't think tissue will stay stuck. Be sure to cool it with glass or against the metal table of a CMC if you use one.

 

[Lance E]

You could also get a small roll of Gudy adhesive and apply them with an ink roller. While roller machines are best for most jobs, 10x8's are very easy to do by hand.

 

[LaFontsee]

Kool Tack sells a pre-coated aluminum plate that is reusable called Competition Plate. They come several standard sizes including 8x10. I've never used them; maybe Jim Miller can chime in with a thumbs up or down. According to the catalog I have, they come in packs of 5 for not a ton of money. I hope this helps!
James

 

[Jim Miller]

Kool Tack sells a pre-coated aluminum plate... maybe Jim Miller can chime in with a thumbs up or down.

Competition plate is aluminum composite material (ACM), consisting of a thin PVC sheet between two skins of aluminum.Lightweight, thin, finished surfaces, rigid, permanent, much more durable than aluminum sheet alone, and affordable.

 

[nikfrz]

I've only tried it once, with Fusion, and it failed. I also had one to experiment with. It came out of the dry mount stuck, and once cooled, started to release. By the end of the day, the whole photo had popped off.

 

[auntiesarahjayne]

I just mounted two 16 x 20s on competition plate from KoolTack and it worked great! I highly recommend it.

 

[Jim Miller]

I've only tried it once, with Fusion, and it failed.

The advantage of using a board with a pre-applied adhesive, such as Kool Tack, is that it is formulated for the surfaces to be bonded. The low temperature (160 degrees F) and short dwell time (15-30 seconds) are also advantages.

 

[05]

BEVA film works a treat on aluminum, if you're willing to heat the image area of the photograph.