Praise Love Kool Tack Thin Alpha

[FrameMakers]

Just finished 13 wrapped fabric mats in under 2 hours. This was only possible by using Kool Tack Thin Alpha. This is an alpha matboard with their heat activated adhesive on it.

Just cut the mats like I normally would on the wizard and they are ready to lay the fabric on before a quick trip in the drymount press. Turning the mats is still done with Frank's fabric glue, but not having to apply the glue to the face of the board is a massive time saver.

 

[Rick Granick]

Sounds like a plan, Dave. Thanks for the tip!
Rick

 

[French Matador]

I have used Kool Tack also and love it! So easy, no mess. My only concern is with the bevel, what are you using to adhere fabric to it? I've tried the glue they recomend, but didn't like it much. I've had more luck with just leaving the bevel as is, and making sure fabric is wrapped tight around the back, then a dab of glue in the corners.

 

[Jim Miller]

For the bevels and attachment to the back of the board, I prefer to use acrylic gel. It is chemically stable and will not discolor over time, it is easy to use, water-soluble while wet (water cleanup), dries clear, and it can be activated and re-activated by heat.

Paint the acrylic gel on the bevels and the back of the mat window, and let it dry for a few minutes. Place your fabric on the board, replace the fallout to fix the fabric evenly on the bevels, then cover any areas of still-exposed acrylic gel with release paper. Put it in the heated press or iron the surface evenly. After the pressing is done, remove the release paper and then re-activate the acrylic gel adhesive using a tacking iron.

 

[FrameMakers]

For basic mats, I just use a reverse bevel. I feel that it gives a cleaner sharper edge and is easier to mount and turn.

 

[French Matador]

gel mediums?

For the bevels and attachment to the back of the board, I prefer to use acrylic gel.

Jim, do you mean gel mediums, like matte or gloss medium? Not sure I know exactly what acrylic gel you mean...

 

[Jim Miller]

Jim, do you mean gel mediums, like matte or gloss medium? Not sure I know exactly what acrylic gel you mean...

Yes, it is the same acrylic gel medium that artists use to condition their acrylic paints, available in art supply stores selling same. The medium with a higher content of solids works better as an adhesive.

 

[French Matador]

Thanks! Will try it out!

 

[PicturedFramer]

How about some pictures as you make one?

 

[SusanG]

Wow, just coming back from the show, this thread means a lot more now! Suzanne from Kool Tack did a super demo for me on all of the Kool Tack products, since I'm a newbie to a heat press. Looks like great stuff. Thanks for sharing Dave. By the way Baer took my order for Franks fabric samples too, so I'll be sure to try this.
Susan