gator board

Create a Post
B

Bill Taylor

True Grumbler
Joined
Mar 17, 2002
Posts
89
Location
Waterville,Maine 04901
Hi Fellow Grumblers,
I have a new customer that wants 20 photos mounted and laminated on Gator board. I have never used it before. The sheets are arriving today. Does it work the same as regular foam? Any tips? I'll be using regular mounting tissue and luster laminate in my vacuum press.
Thanks, Bill
 
The main difference in handling is cutting. Depending on the surface you might have some difficulty getting a real pretty edge using a knife. Not a big issue when putting in a frame, but if going to be exposed the edge might need to be sanded after cutting. If table saw is available, you might want to try that.
 
we cut the gatorboard on our fletcher 3000 and sand the edges

Elaine
 
My first encounter with gator board was successful. It does cut hard and the edges are nasty, I'm happy to say they are all getting framed so I don't have to worry about the edges. Thanks to all for the feed-back. Bill
 
The down side Bill, is that it can be as addictive as Meth.... especially now that they are shipping boxes of 32x40 instead of 48x96.

Talk about deep bevels for fabric wraps!!! Ei yi yi, :D
 
Originally posted by Bill Taylor:
...I'm happy to say they are all getting framed so I don't have to worry about the edges... Bill
Click to expand...
If they're all getting framed, why use Gatorfoam? Whether laminated, or glazed with properly-spaced glass or acrylic, ordinary foam center board would be the usual choice for pictures framed.

Aside from being easier to work with and less costly, ordinary foam center board is probably more friendly, chemically speaking. Of course, if chemical friendliness were an issue, ArtCare foam center board or alphacellulose would be the recommendation.

The main benefit of that high-density foam center, clay-coated board is that it will not warp as easily as ordinary foam center board. That's a very useful trait for photos or posters intended to hang unframed; we use it for that purpose routinely. But in a frame, warping usually isn't an issue.
 
Actually, the gatorboard is a plus when it is framed without glass to sandwich it together. Foamcore will have a slight bow (in or out) on large-ish photos due to the tension placed on the side that has been glued and laminated, unless the other side is also glued to, this would then even the stresses on the foamcore. The rigidness of the gator board helps minimize this effect. I have 9 28x42 photos to mount to 1/2" gatorboard and laminated. The customer wants this exactly for the reason I sited and I agree with him. I mounted a 20x30 photo onto 1/2" foamcore and it still had a slight cupping effect even after weighting while cooling.
 
Actually, the gatorboard is a plus when it is framed without glass to sandwich it together. Foamcore will have a slight bow (in or out) on large-ish photos due to the tension placed on the side that has been glued and laminated, unless the other side is also glued to, this would then even the stresses on the foamcore. The rigidness of the gator board helps minimize this effect. I have 9 28x42 photos to mount to 1/2" gatorboard and laminated. The customer wants this exactly for the reason I sited and I agree with him. I mounted a 20x30 photo onto 1/2" foamcore and it still had a slight cupping effect even after weighting while cooling.
 
Hmmm... Wonder why it posted twice??
 
For sanding those pesky egdes of the gator board as well as the matboard when the blade is getting dull and leaves a ragged edge,
I keep a drywall sander near by. Has a nice handle and holds the sanding screen material nicely.
 
Jim, The customer did NOT want glass for many reasons, and she was afraid of foam board lamination denting too easily. The gator board has a much harder surface. She will be transporting them to many different shows so this is safer than regular foam. ~ Bill
 
Thanks for your info., Jim. Even though the initial question did not apply to me, you answered a question I had. I usually can obtain a strong enough support by adhering matboard to heat-activated foamboard--right?
 
I wonder if there is a Crock board? Would it have more "tooth" or be "thinner"? :D

just wondering.

carry on.
 
FYI - if you drymount mat to foamcore in a vacuum press, you get something that is alot like gator board. And comes in colors!

I was told by a sign painter that gator has a thin ply of WOOD in the surface. I tend to be both amazed and believe it. Anyone know otherwise?
 
Eric, My understanding is that the surface of Gator foam is something akin to a very thin Melamine laminate. It can be made from wood pulp or other fiber, just like paper.
 
Quoting from their web page Gatorfoam is:

A lightweight tough foam board consisting of a polystyrene foam centre bonded between two layers of Luxcell(TM), a patented wood fibre veneer laminate that offers high structural strength, durability and versatility. It's unique property of moisture resistance and stiffness make it ideal for long term graphic mounting applications, manufacture of exhibit stands and point of sale displays.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top