Canvas preparation

markjthomson

AKA QuickDraw and very happy #nobrushleftbehind

Staff member

Admin

• Oct 10, 2014

• #1

Hi Guys,

I think this was on an earlier thread but I can't track it down. I'm preparing a commercial gessoed canvas (3 coats from the manufacturer). I am adding a couple of more layers to smooth it out some more. What grit paper does everyone use between coats? I'm assuming 400 would be OK?

Thanks in advance, Mark

 

AndreZA

Air-Valve Autobot!

• Oct 10, 2014

• #2

I don't smooth my canvasses more then what it comes with from the factory. If I want smooth canvas, I use either Fredrix water colour canvas or synthetic canvas.

Anyway, if you do it with thinned gesso and a brush in many layers, you only need to give it a quick scuff after the last layer. This is just to give the paint something to bite to. 400-800 will be fine.

 

markjthomson

AKA QuickDraw and very happy #nobrushleftbehind

Staff member

Admin

• Oct 10, 2014

• #3

Cool, that was what I was looking for - Cheers Andre

 

AndreZA

Air-Valve Autobot!

• Oct 10, 2014

• #4

Here's the different canvasses with airbrush on.
Normal canvas


Fredrix water colour canvas panel


Synthetic canvas

 

markjthomson

AKA QuickDraw and very happy #nobrushleftbehind

Staff member

Admin

• Oct 10, 2014

• #5

Synthetic looks good!! I got me some of that in my off cuts bag!

 

P

pugster

Guest

• Oct 11, 2014

• #6

i use dulux weathershield masonary paint to prep my canvas , (i just thin the first coat to make sure it gets right into the canvas) - its acrylic resin based and flexible , works great and can be put on with a small roller.

 

T

TwinbrotherStudio

Guest

• Oct 22, 2014

• #7

400-800? I'm sanding my gesso down with 220 grit. On canvas, that's more than enough for a decent smooth surface. 400 or more takes too long and the gesso clogs the sandpaper. If you want ultra-smooth, which I don't, you apply more layers of gesso and sand it down smooth. I've never had to use anything more than 220 grit for a really smooth surface. I do about 3 coats for a textured gesso surface. 4-5 coats should be enough for a really smooth surface after a lot of sanding.

 

B

Bossman

Guest

• Oct 22, 2014

• #8

http://www.adcfa.com/creating-the-perfect-smooth-canvas/

 

T

TwinbrotherStudio

Guest

• Oct 22, 2014

• #9

Interesting article, but not sure you need to wet sand. Wet sanding is for auto primer and paints that tend to stick to the sandpaper when built up. I've gotten very good results with 220 grit without the gesso sticking to the sandpaper. Also, I suggest using a soft sanding block rather than holding the sandpaper with your fingers as the block gives an even pass over the canvas. And remember, the smoother you go, the less the paint will adhere.

 

M

Madbrush

Guest

• Oct 23, 2014

• #10

TwinbrotherStudio said:

Interesting article, but not sure you need to wet sand. Wet sanding is for auto primer and paints that tend to stick to the sandpaper when built up. I've gotten very good results with 220 grit without the gesso sticking to the sandpaper. Also, I suggest using a soft sanding block rather than holding the sandpaper with your fingers as the block gives an even pass over the canvas. And remember, the smoother you go, the less the paint will adhere.

Click to expand...

Totally agree, that's how I've always done, plus wet sanding gesso has tendency to wash it off so you have add more.