Glamour 2

DESCRIPTION

Glamour II Veneer (giclee varnish) is an award-winning and proprietary canvas varnish and has been developed to protect, preserve and enhance fine art and photographic prints produced on digital inkjet printers. This non-yellowing, water based canvas varnish is a perfect solution for easy inkjet print finishing. Glamour II will enhance the colour of pigmented and ultrachrome inks on matte media and increase resistance to image fading. It will protect your expensive images against moisture and abrasion.

Glamour II Veneer giclee varnish has been specifically developed as a water-based product to avoid the unpleasant and hazardous fumes given off by solvent based products. 

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Is it necessary to laminate canvas prints? We sat down with Breathing Color President Nick Friend and Vice President Adam Hill to answer this complex question, LISTEN HERE  

What is the shelf life of your print varnishes?

Both Timeless and Glamour 2 have a 6 month to a year shelf life, in proper storage conditions. We recommend a temperature-controlled environment in 65 75 degrees (F), 35-65% relative humidity, no direct sunlight on the containers, and preferably in the original screw-top containers or an airtight container of your own.

You offer two different varnishes: Timeless and Glamour 2. Which one should I choose?

Both Timeless and Glamour 2 have their place in the coating world. Timeless does not need to be diluted and dries very quickly, where Glamour 2 has a slower dry time and contains helpful leveling agents. Read Breathing Colors blog post here for more information on which Breathing Color print varnish would be best for you.

My prints look cloudy after coating. How do I prevent this? 

A white, cloudy appearance in the coating is typically caused by the canvas or fine art print not being allowed enough time to outgas after coming off the printer. Outgassing is basically the process of water evaporating from aqueous inks during the drying process. Outgassing time will vary dependent upon temperature, humidity, and the amount of ink that is printed on the media. It is always safest to allow 24 hours for the print to dry prior to coating.

How many square feet can I expect to cover with a gallon of Timeless or Glamour 2 coating? 

Since each person's environment and use of these products can vary, it can be difficult to put a firm number to how much surface area a gallon of coating will cover. With that in mind, our estimates are as follows:

A gallon of Timeless: 300-400 sq.ft.

A gallon of Glamour 2 (diluted 30% w/ distilled water): 390-520 sq.ft.

My coated prints dried with bubbles and pinholes. How do I prevent this? 

These issues are typically caused by too much coating. Since canvas needs to absorb coating eventy, too much coating creates air pockets in the canvas. When the air tries to escape, it pushes itself out either partially (air bubbles) or completely (pinholes). If you notice these issues while the print is still wet, simply go over these areas with your roller with light pressure (Timeless) or no pressure (Glamour II). If you are spraying with an HVLP gun, try going over the print with a light 2nd coat as this usually fills in the pinholes and breaks the air bubbles. This must be done while the print is wet.

Ink is coming up on my roller when I coat. What do I do?

Be sure that you have used the correct print settings/profile for your printer and canvas. If the wrong media type is used you could potentially print with too much ink. If there is excess ink this will only dry on the surface and when coating with a foam roller, the excess ink will be agitated and come out on the roller (and your print).

If you have insured the proper print settings were used, make sure you allowed enough time for the print to dry. Ink can come up when the roller has changed directions since its an abrasive move, which causes more friction. With Timeless, this is especially important since it requires pressure to apply. Always apply coating in straight lines as this will not damage the print at all. Read more about ink lifting from your print onto your roller on Breathing Colors blog post here.

How long do I wait before coating a print with Timeless or Glamour 2 varnish? 

Canvas absorbs a little more ink then a standard photo paper (where ink dries on top of the inkjet receptive coating, thus requiring less ink). Canvas needs to outgas before you laminate it. Outgassing involves water evaporating from the ink during the drying process. This is why it is also important not to stack prints until they are completely dry. After completing your print, allow up to 24 hours before coating to allow outgassing to complete. Read Breathing Colors blog post here for more about how long you should let you prints dry before coating, and why?

I have flakes or chunks in my container of Timeless or Glamour 2 coating. What can I do? 

If you have any flakes or chunks of coating in your container, the easiest way to remove them is through a strainer. Just fill your measuring cup with the amount needed, and pour through a strainer into another cup (or container). The strainer will catch everything solid and you can just throw it out. Dont have a strainer? Use a coffee filter. Just grab a large cup or container and tape a coffee filter to the rim. Then, slowly pour your coating into the filter. A coffee filter takes time for liquid to pass through it, so pour a little at a time. This is a good trick because it will pick up anything that isnt pure liquid, and the end result is a perfect mix of coating. Breathing Colors blog post here.

How Do I Stop Glamour II Veneer From Streaking?

Hopefully you have already watched our instructional video on "How to Apply Glamour II Veneer" which provides a very detailed look at how to apply Glamour II Veneer properly. 

If you still have streaks, there are a few things you need to focus on: 

(1) How much are you diluting with water? Try adding more water (at least 40%). 
(2) Before adding the water to the coating, heat it in the microwave for about 8 to 10 seconds depending on how much water you are adding. The water should be above luke warm but not boiling. The heated water will help in mixing with Glamour II Veneer. 
(3) When stirring the heated water and Glamour II Veneer together, stir lightly and slowly. If you try to mix them together too fast or too aggressively, it can create air bubbles that are difficult to get out of the coating once it is applied to the print. Once dried, these air bubbles are even more visible and can ruin your print. 
(4) When you are first applying Glamour II Veneer to your inkjet canvas or fine art paper, be very generous with the application. Some of our customers even find success in pouring the coating directly onto the print in even lines across the whole print. Once this is done, the foam roller is then just used to spread the Glamour II Veneer around evenly. 
(5) If you decide to apply Glamour II Veneer without pouring it straight onto the inkjet canvas or fine art paper and instead apply it with the foam roller directly, make sure to stay away from any bumby parts of the tray with the foam roller. When you are moving the roller around in the tray to saturate it with Glamour II Veneer, the bumbs can cause indentations in the foam which will transfer over to your prints and ultimately leave some service uncovered. 
(6) Try to go over the print with the foam roller the least amount of times possible. We have found that the more times you run your foam roller over the Glamour II Veneer, the more coating you are actually taking off of the print. If you still see lines in the coating, wait until it dries to see if they go away. If you have been generous enough with the coating, the leveling agents in the Glamour II Veneer will cause the streaks to go away as it is drying.
(7) Apply the least amount of pressure possible when going over your inkjet canvas or fine art paper with the Glamour II Veneer. Pressure will cause indentations in the coating which will cause streaks once it has dried. 
*this article will help if you have streaks, streaking, or lines when trying to apply Glamour II.

How Long Does It Take For Glamour II Veneer To Dry?

Glamour II Veneer, like all varnishes and veneers, need to be dried before stretching or mounting. Glamour II Veneer is a water-based coating therefore drying time can vary drastically depending on where it is being used. In very dry climate, Glamour II Veneer can dry within thirty minutes. In very wet climate, Glamour II may not dry for two hours. The average drying time, however, is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Glamour II takes 24 hours to fully cure.

The drying time for this product can also vary based upon your chosen dilution ratio. The more you dilute, the faster it will dry. If you don't dilute at all, Glamour II could take several days to dry. A minimum 20% dilution is normally required, although some of our customers have discovered their own method of applying without dilution. 

How Do I Clean Up Glamour II and Timeless?

Water is the only cleanup needed for Glamour II and Timeless to be removed from the foam roller and other surfaces. If the coating becomes difficult to remove from any surface, including the HVLP reservoir, 409 all purpose cleaner will disintegrate Glamour II and Timeless upon contact. 

What Pressure Setting Should I Use On My HVLP Gun When Spraying Glamour 2 and Timeless? 

We do not recommend an air pressure setting as not all guns, air compressors, nozzles, etc. are the same. Therefore it is recommended that customers using an HVLP gun to coat with test several different pressure settings and coating techniques to determine the best solution for each unique setup is.

Can I Store Glamour II Veneer After I Dilute It?

We do not recommend storing Glamour II Veneer after it has been diluted. Only dilute as much as you will need when you are coating. Storing Glamour II Veneer after diluting can cause it to separate and harden.

How can I apply Varnish? 

Glamour II Veneer giclee coating can be rolled on with a dense foam roller, sprayed on with an HVLP gun (50% dilution), or used with a roll coating machine (50% dilution). Timeless giclee coating can be rolled on with a dense foam roller or sprayed on with an HVLP gun.

When rolling Glamour II Veneer you are going to want to dilute it down 25%-30% with warm distilled water.  You can apply the varnish directly to the print, and then immediately start to roll it onto the canvas.  Do not apply pressure to the roller, and make multiple passes in opposite directions.  A good way to know if you are almost done rolling, is to listen for the "sticky" sound of the varnish.  This means that the coating has been worked into the canvas and is starting to dry.  The more time you spend working the varnish into the canvas, the faster it will dry and the better your print will look.  Wait 30 minutes in between coats for Timeless and 2-3 hours for Glamour II. Please allow at least a full 24 hours for your print to dry before varnishing. You can find more information on varnishing on Breathing Colors blog.

Can I paint on top of the applied coating? 

Glamour 2 and Timeless work with various artist paints for embellishment, however it is always recommended that you perform a test with a small scrap of coated canvas to avoid a negative reaction.

I notice that my prints are very "tacky" several days after coating.  

Dilute more. If you dilute less than 30% with water, the more likely this is to happen. If you are diluting with 30% already, try 40% or even 50% to reduce tackiness. Make sure the coating has completely dried and is no longer sticky before storing prints face-to-face or putting them behind a temporary frame that you ultimately intend to remove. Also try using a thinner coat. If you are using too much product, this could happen.

Is Glamour II Veneer hazardous to your health?

Glamour II Veneer is a practically odorless water-based coating that can be applied in a closed room. It is NOT a solvent-based coating which in contrast are extremely hazardous and emit very strong odors. If you are more sensitive to chemicals and odors, or are generally concerned with health, then we would always recommend using a mask when applying any coating from any manufactuer -- just to be on the safe side.

I am experiencing canvas cracking after coating a roll of canvas with Glamour II. Are there any solutions?

Almost every problem that can occur with Glamour II, can be solved by using more of it. If you are experiencing cracking, chances are you did not use enough of it. Therefore, make sure when spraying your prints, that you always use 2 heavy coats. Though Glamour II is temperature sensitive and is mildly susceptible to environmental conditions, your prints should never crack if you have applied enough Glamour II. When applying Glamour II with a foam roller, you still should be able to get away with one coat, but make sure you apply the Glamour II generously.

What are optimal drying conditions for Glamour II Gloss/Matte? 

Optimal drying conditions for our Glamour II would be 65 degress or higher and 60% relative humidity or lower. Also keep in mind it is always a good idea to have a low dust drying enviroment. It is not a good idea to have any type of fan on while drying varnish. If you have a high ceiling or cannot control the temperature at night, when out of the sudio/office, space heaters can be used to boost the average temperature and should not effect the integrity of the product.

I'm getting air bubbles while coating canvas. What am I doing wrong?  

Air bubbles can be caused by a variety of things.  Breathing Color has tested every single possible variable to the foam rolling process of coating. Most of the time bubbles in the print are caused by "under rolling."  You want to cover your print by going in multiple directions, not just one. The canvas has to "drink" the coating in.  If you see bubbles at the start of your coating process, it is the canvas sucking the coating into the print. The desired dilution ratio of water to coating for Glamour 2 is 30% water 70% coating.  There has been cases of bubbles forming from over diluted coating. Please allow the canvas 24 hours of dry time as well. After 24 hours when you come back to your print, youl will notice that the bubbles have disappeared.

What water dilution ratio should I use for coating with a foam roller? 

The recommended water to varnish ratio is: 30% distilled water and 70% coating. It is very important that you distilled water, rather that tap or drinking water.  The minerals added to drinking water will effect the integrity of the coating. Before mixing the water into the varnish, heat up the water in the microwave. Heating up the distilled water will help improve the effect of the self level agents leaving your print with no roller streaks. It is always safe to have less water than coating.  A major problem with coating canvas is users over diluting the coating.

What Inkjet Canvas & Fine Art Papers are Compatible with Breathing Color Varnishes

As long as you are using a water-resistant inkjet canvas or fine art paper with pigment inks you should have no problems with using Glamour II or Timeless. Both varnishes are water based liquid lamination coating that is practically odorless and is easily applied with a foam roller. We also have instructional videos on Breathing Colors blog which guide you through the liquid lamination (coating) process.

Can I Roll Up My Inkjet Canvas After Coating It? 

Once the print has completely dried, you should have no problem rolling it up.  Keep in mind that when the print is exposed to extremely hot or humid temperatures, it may have a tendency to soften and stick to itself.  For this reason it is always recommended to protect each print with a sheet of an acid-free barrier paper.