S-Hinge/cockling

[Larry01]

Hi All,

Ive gone through the threads and have done a lot of reading on s-hinging, hedgehog mounting, pastes, hinging etc. I am so happy I switched to KlucelG/Iso Propanol for my adhesive with my Japanese hinges. I was getting so much cockling with Jin Shofu paste, but that may of been too much paste etc. My questions that I am hoping to get a confirmation on are:

KlucelG/Iso Propanol- is this a conservation adhesive? I feel I could get drunk just by the smell! I used a 5:1 Iso to Klucel ratio and left for 2 days prior to using. Great hold and zero cockling. Am I correct in using this with my Japanese papers or is there another paper I should use ( have a range of papers, 9-40gsm)? Is there a black and white rule for when you would use Klucel over starch paste or visa versa?

Pass thought/S-Hinge- Is it ok to have a few loose S-hinges passed through at the bottom also? I frame a lot of small A4 pieces on 300gsm paper and use acrylic glazing, even though I de-static with Novus #1, I find the art lifts without an anchor. They cockled for me with starch but are working great with Klucel.

S-hinge vs hedgehog- Is hedgehog recommended for larger works and smaller works, S-Hinge is suitable?

Lots of questions, apologies if they are in previous threads, I tried to dig around and may have missed it.


Many thanks

 

[Bruce Papier]

If you're using Kozo paper or something very similar you're Ok.
Klucel is a conservation grade adhesive.
I put loose hinges along the bottom quite frequently with no problems.
Hedgehog works well for big stuff, but isn't usually needed for small stuff.
The only problem I ever ran into with Klucel is you can't use it on things that have been heat printed like tickets where the row and seat numbers are printed on the ticket or a cash register receipt. It's not the Klucel-G that's the problem- it's the alcohol. It turns the paper black.

 

[Shayla]

Probably a rarity, but I wear a cartridge mask, around such fumes.
The downside is, it's on my face. Upside: feeling like Darth Vader.
(It's fun to strike a pose and say, 'Luke, I'm your father...'

Also, perhaps rare is that I use more hinges than is suggested.
Not saying it's right, but we want that puppy to stay put.
Have you read the hinging articlea in the Frametek .com article library?

 

[Larry01]

Probably a rarity, but I wear a cartridge mask, around such fumes.
The downside is, it's on my face. Upside: feeling like Darth Vader.
(It's fun to strike a pose and say, 'Luke, I'm your father...'

Also, perhaps rare is that I use more hinges than is suggested.
Not saying it's right, but we want that puppy to stay put.
Have you read the hinging articlea in the Frametek .com article library?

hehe I know what you mean. My Iso is like 99.8% or something, very potent. Yep I saw the FrameTek article, super helpful!

 

[Larry01]

If you're using Kozo paper or something very similar you're Ok.
Klucel is a conservation grade adhesive.
I put loose hinges along the bottom quite frequently with no problems.
Hedgehog works well for big stuff, but isn't usually needed for small stuff.
The only problem I ever ran into with Klucel is you can't use it on things that have been heat printed like tickets where the row and seat numbers are printed on the ticket or a cash register receipt. It's not the Klucel-G that's the problem- it's the alcohol. It turns the paper black.

Thanks Bruce! One little thing I am noticing, even with the Klucel-G and putting S-Hinges top and bottom, as I am using acrylic glazing, Im still getting a bit of static pull in the middle.Top and bottom are good but the paper arches a little up on the sides. Any way to fix this?

 

[JFeig]

I have found that many picture framers who are not experienced with the conservation hinging are using too much of a solvent/adhesive ratio. You want a very thick mixture. Some framers are also a bit anxious, and do not give enough time to allow the hinges to properly dry. I have always used a stiff oil painting flat brush for applying the adhesive rather than a soft water color brush that allows the "scraping off of excess adhesive". I also apply hinges in a 3 step process: 1) apply hinge to art, 2) let dry, 3) apply hinge to the mounting board, let dry.

If the paste is too thin right out of the container you can apply it, sparingly, to the hinge and let it "flash off" or dry some of the solvent before you attach the hinge to the art. You also should be using "blotter paper", with weights, over the attachment location to absorb any extra solvent and give it time to properly dry. This is true for all solvents: water or isopropanol(rubbing alcohol - 70% or 90%). The residual isopropanol ingredient is intentionally diluted water and water from the atmosphere.

FYI, my hinging weights, made from blocks taped together and made from scrap glass, have blotter paper attached to one side of them with glue. When they get dirty, I replace the blotter paper with fresh clean paper. I have assorted sizes from 3" to about 24" long, all being 2" wide.

 

[Larry01]

Thank you. Great tips. When using starch, I would use blotting paper and hollytext but I didn’t with the Klucel- G, other than when I applied the adhesive to the hinge. I use weights but didn’t allow for long enough drying time between applications for both of the adhesives.
With Klucel-G, I did a 5:1 ratio and left it for two days. It was a thick ‘bubbly’ gel texture. Like a thick hair gel. Does that sound right? I used an acrylic brush but will get a firmer brush like you suggested. Thank you

 

[JFeig]

Like a thick hair gel. Does that sound right? I used an acrylic brush but will get a firmer brush like you suggested. Thank you

IMHO "thick hair gel" is a bit thin for my taste. I would prefer "at least a stiff peanut butter thickness". Closer to a thin bread dough. Not saying that I would eat it.

look @ 0:45 for the consistency I use. You can always add more water.

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BTY I make very small batches in a microwave.

 

[Ylva]

I hate s-hinges and use the hedgehog mount exclusively. For large and small items.
As for static from the acrylic. If you are not using optium museum, that might always be a little bit of a problem. Especially if the art is on thinner paper. Create more airspace between the art and the acrylic, it will help a little bit. Or, depending on the art of course, put the acrylic right on top of the art.

 

[Eric A]

Thank you. Great tips. When using starch, I would use blotting paper and hollytext but I didn’t with the Klucel- G, other than when I applied the adhesive to the hinge. I use weights but didn’t allow for long enough drying time between applications for both of the adhesives.
With Klucel-G, I did a 5:1 ratio and left it for two days. It was a thick ‘bubbly’ gel texture. Like a thick hair gel. Does that sound right? I used an acrylic brush but will get a firmer brush like you suggested. Thank you

I had this bubbly issue at first too. I switched to a stiffer brush and was able to get a much thinner non bubble coat on and it works perfect now. I use Klucel most of the time.

 

[Larry01]

I had this bubbly issue at first too. I switched to a stiffer brush and was able to get a much thinner non bubble coat on and it works perfect now. I use Klucel most of the time.

Great! Yeah I found the application and hold great with the Klucel. Can I ask when would choose starch over Klucel-g? I’m still not on which jobs call for which adhesive

 

[Larry01]

I hate s-hinges and use the hedgehog mount exclusively. For large and small items.
As for static from the acrylic. If you are not using optium museum, that might always be a little bit of a problem. Especially if the art is on thinner paper. Create more airspace between the art and the acrylic, it will help a little bit. Or, depending on the art of course, put the acrylic right on top of the art.

The static is definitely worse with SHinge so I think I’ll have to hedgehog moving forward. These art pieces aren’t expensive so I use premium clear or conservation and have a 20-30mm spacer.

 

[Eric A]

Great! Yeah I found the application and hold great with the Klucel. Can I ask when would choose starch over Klucel-g? I’m still not on which jobs call for which adhesive

I only use wheat paste for things that do not play nicely with alcohol.

 

[Rick Granick]

I'm a big Klucel fan too, but instead of a brush I use Q-tip cotton swabs to apply it to the hinges. I find that this gives good control over the amount of thick gel you are picking up and using. Plus, you don't have to bother to clean a brush.
Rick

 

[Larry01]

I'm a big Klucel fan too, but instead of a brush I use Q-tip cotton swabs to apply it to the hinges. I find that this gives good control over the amount of thick gel you are picking up and using. Plus, you don't have to bother to clean a brush.
Rick

Anything that involves less cleaning, I’m in!