Learn how to use isinglass for glass gilding. Isinglass is a fish gelatin made from the air bladders of Russian sturgeon...
By Jim Hingst
For glass gilding, gelatin is typically used as the mordant or adherent. Gelatin comes in different forms. The type of gelatin commonly, sold to gilders in the United States, comes in the form of capsules or in sheets. This food-grade gelatin is extracted from animal parts, such as skin, crushed bones, hooves and horns, and intestinal tissue.
What is Isinglass?
Isinglass is also a type of
gelatin. It is a fish gelatin, which can also be used for glass gilding. This
type of gelatin is made from the air bladders of certain types of fish, such as
Russian sturgeon. Russian Isinglass is the most expensive type that you can
buy. Some of the old timers claim that this is a very pure type of water size
with excellent adhesion properties.
Preparing Isinglass.
Preparing isinglass is similar to preparing a standard gelatin size. Because isinglass is an animal product, it will spoil in time. For this reason, only mix enough for one day’s use and discard any remaining size at the end of the day.
To prepare a pint of water
size use the following recipe:
- Bring a pint of distilled water to a boil in a clean saucepan.
- Pour the boiling water in another clean pan containing a teaspoon of isinglass.
- Cover the container for twenty minutes, allowing the isinglass to completely dissolve.
- Strain the isinglass size through a silk cloth.
- During use of the isinglass size keep it very warm. (One gilder I know uses a small electric heater, which he places in his size bucket to keep the mixture warm, while he works.)
Purchasing Isinglass.
In the U.S. real Russian Isinglass will cost about $48 per ounce, shipping not included. You can order it from Talas, 330 Morgan Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211. 212-219-0770.
Connect
to Talas using the following link:
Additional Gilding Articles
Traditional Water GildingUsing Isinglass for Glass Gilding
The Art of Glue Chipped Glass Signage
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.
© 2015 Jim Hingst
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