Regalrez

Annelyse Barton <annelysebarton [at] hotmail__com> writes

>I have recently started using Regalrez resin for the first time and
>have been testing out various recipes for the varnishing of
>paintings. I have been brush varnishing with quite a low percentage
>of resin but have found that it produces a very glossy varnish
>indeed.

Regalrez is a very useful and adecuate varnish for conservation
purposes, and it is a pity to discard it for minor application
difficulties. A current article which I have written called Choosing
Varnishes specifically deals with properties, uses and application
of Regalrez and is available at

    <URL:http://www.e-conservationline.com/content/view/37/53/>

Method of application is an important way to achieve the required
finish of a varnish. Once the varnish reaches its no flow point, one
can keep working the surface in a scumbling manner with a brush, to
achieve a matter finish. Alternatively spraying the varnish onto the
paintings surface, regulating distance, angle, and nozzle aperture
is helpful. However it is also possible to add a small amount of wax
to the varnish recipe by warming the varnish with the pre-dissolved
wax (using a baby bottle warming device as a bain marie to control
temperature). This way it is possible to regulate the surface shine.
I recommend this recipe for example:

    20 grams Regalrez 1094
    100 ml Shellsol D40
    0.4 gms Tinuvin 292
    1 gms (less than 5%) Cosmoloid 80H

I insist, that it is a pity to abandon with haste such a good
varnish, I have been using this varnish for about 8 years on all
sorts of paintings from Gothic panels to contemporary works, with
excellent results.

Christabel Blackman
Easel painting conservator
Valencia, Spain


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:31
               Distributed: Wednesday, November 21, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-21-31-003
                                  ***