Question Speedmount question

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JBergelin

JBergelin

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Dec 14, 2004
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374
Loc
Big Rapids, Michigan
I am not sure why but we have had two pieces that we mounted with speedmount come back both were done last fall - the photos are lifting off the board as if they had never been mounted.

We have a Seal 500TX - I check the temp periodically using Beinfangs strips, we dry the art before mounting and we cool under glass - I am not sure about the dwell time - we use dry release boards so I leave the items in the press 2 minutes - will leaving it too long in the press break down the adhesive?

thanks

Jeanne
 
Jeanne...

You probably had a bad batch of Speedmount. I had two boxes I had to return for replacement. They went through a period where they used too little adhesive. I had the same type of problem but with mine the bond was not good from the start.

My problem material was also last fall just around Thanksgiving.

I also use release boards and step up the dwell time to about a minute at 170 degrees.
 
I've pretty much given up on Speedmount, because the bond doesn't seem to hold. I use the correct heat and dwell time, I cool under weight, and I even use release paper rather than a release board, to allow more heat through.
 
You may want to give KoolTack a try.

Frame Specialties has a special right now at $ 3.99 a sheet for 32X40 in box quantities.
 
I had the same probles with speedmount, sometimes I think it has something to do with how the supplier stores it (humidity, etc.), however, I am not sure.
 
Has nothing to do with the storage.

Like Dave said, Kooltack is a much better product. Call Frame Specialties to find where the closest distributor is.
 
Len Lastuck from Frame Specialties is currently setting up nationwide distribution for KoolTack so it should be available later in the year from local distributors via regular truck deliveries.

I know that one of the distributors will be Don Mar.
 
Paul N said:
Not yet it seems. Just looked at their website.
Click to expand...

Word has it that they just got a big shipment of SpeedMount and are waiting to dwindle that down first...
 
The combination of Kool Tack's heat-activated foam center board and Perma-Lon release board gives great results every time, with fast dwell and low temperature, whether in the mechanical press or the vacuum press. And from my local distributor the price is lower than other brands, too.
 
So Paul call DonMar and harass Dave Campion. ext 216. Tell him you want a box. Tell him you'll be a "test customer" to see if they should carry the stuff. If they got it in Don's not gonna want to sit on it for too long!

re KoolTack. Is it aheat activated product? The name implies it's not, but curious. I just got rid of my vaccumm press as I wasn't using it. Oh, and I got burned by DonMar when I bought into the "ProSpray" system. Is KoolTack the next ProSpray? or PMA? that stuff wouldn't hold a weight over 1 pound.....
 
From my understaing, Bob, Len Lastuck helped develop the pre-coated heat activated foam board product working with Bainbridge to bring the product to market as Speedmount. Against Len's advice Bainbridge started using less adhesive and thus the problems we've discussed here.

Len coats the KoolTack product himself and can even custom coat other products.

KoolTack is very similar to Speedmount but has a heavier coating of adhesive.

On another thread there is discussion about a pre-coated fabric adhesive board and a board for mounting canvas that Frame Specialties is bringing to market. I don't know of the merits of any of these as I haven't been able to get samples to test them.
 
Thanks Dave. maybe I'll call Dave before Paul can, I just used my last piece of speed mount and was gonna order some this coming week.
 
My issue with Speedmount wasn't just the adhesion but that there were bubbles in the board, quite visible when you pulled it from the stack.

These were sometimes the size and width of a hotdog. Pain in the rear end and I quit using it.

MM
 
Another KoolTack customer after giving up on SpeedMount. I get it shipped from Superior...no shipping charge. :)
 
Bob Doyle said:
re KoolTack. Is it aheat activated product? The name implies it's not, but curious. I just got rid of my vaccumm press as I wasn't using it. Oh, and I got burned by DonMar when I bought into the "ProSpray" system. Is KoolTack the next ProSpray? or PMA? that stuff wouldn't hold a weight over 1 pound.....
Click to expand...

Bob:

http://www.kooltack.com/OURPRODUCTS.html

Click on the Foamboard button and read the info (it is heat activated) here is some info from the website:

The original drymount foam board that activates at 150° F to 160° F in 15 to 20 seconds.

Acid free adhesive.

Tougher board more resilient to dents.
Smoother surface.
More resistant to warping.


Kool Tack is the easiest drymount board to work with, and it is the safest because of the low drymounting temperature. It is the only drymount board that works at 150°F to 160°F in 15 to 20 seconds.

It must be remembered that the temperature of most drymount presses are not very accurate, and therefor should be calibrated on a periodic basis. ( Refer to your owners manual ), or down load one from this web site. Using a release board will take more time since the heat must penetrate the board in order to activate the drymount adhesive.

The use of a release paper or PremaLon* will reduce the mounting time. Finally, the time for drymounting is after the vacuum had been drawn when using a vacuum press.

Tips for successful Drymounting

1. Make sure your drymount board and print are clean and free of dust and dirt.

2. When first starting up your press from a cold start, let it cycle at least 2 to 3 times in order for the temperature to stabilize and distribute evenly over the platen of the press.

3. For thick paper prints let the drymounting continue for another 8 to 10 seconds. This allows the heat to penetrate through the thick paper into the adhesive.

4. When the drymounting is complete, take it out of the press and let it cool before using. This gives the adhesive time to dry.

5. When drymounting photographs, never adjust the temperature over 170°F for this will damage the emulsion on the surface of the photograph. ( it is recommended that PermaLon* be used when drymounting photographs. This will eliminate the possibility of the “orange peel” effect.

* ( PermaLon is a super smooth drymount release film that works with Kool Tack )
Contact your distributor for more information and pricing.
 
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