[frameconnews] Re: Fw: Hairspray as a fixative

[delia cora norris <cordie@u.washington.edu>]

On Mon, 25 Oct 1999, Michael & Pauline Masters wrote:

> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Picturesque Picture Framing To: Stephen Todd 
> Sent: Monday, October 25, 1999 10:05 PM
> Subject: Hairspray as a fixative
> 
> 
> Question
> 
> A customer has just brought in a chalk drawing done by an accomplished South African Artist. She was advised by the artist to use hairspray as a fixative. The artist apparantly always uses hairspray as a fixative for chalk. 
> 
> Initially I threw up my hands in horror - especially when I saw marks
> on the paper where it had been sprayed - but, am I missing something?
> 
> Because hairspray comes into contact with our skin is it considered
> acidfree?
> 
> I am a relatively new framer, very aware of conservation and thirsting
> for knowledge - always eager to hear of new ideas etc and keen to
> always do the right thing for my clients - but this seems pretty
> radical!
> 
> Any comments would be appreciated.
> 
> Michael Masters GCF
> 
> Picturesque Picture Framing
> 
> Otorohanga NZ

Dear Micheal,

Using hairspray as a fixative presents several problems. The first and is
it has a nozzle that sprays out large drops, which will permently stain a
pastel or charcoal drawing. Secondly, hairspray is not archival, and
shouldn't be used for a work of any value. There are good fixatives on the
market, such as the one made by Grumbacher. Some fixatives, such as Krylon
also claim to protect against UV light.  If your client is interested,
he/she should be the one to spray the work with a fixtive - NOT the
framer.  I generally avoid taking unnecessary risks with artwork - and if
the fixtive is improperly applied (i.e. holding the spraycan too close to
the work), there can be problems, such as saging. Hope this helps - after
posting your query, you've probably learned more than you ever wanted to
know about fixatives!
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/frameconnews
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
> 
> 
> 
> 


------------------------------------------------------------------------

eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/frameconnews
http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications