Hi,
How long should you wait between extra applications of this gesso before applying the next coat?
On the container it says to let dry between coats, but I use it to fill in the weave of the canvas to give a smoother surface to apply oil paint on. The canvases are already triple primed by the manufacturer but weave of canvas still obvious, which I dislike. When I apply extra gesso I use a bit of pressure to try and drive it into the weave. I can see/feel when the outer part is dry but can’t really know when the deepest part is properly dry.
Does it really matter provided the outer part is dry? JustPaint.org state that you should wait 3 days after applying the final acrylic gesso layer before you apply oil paint. Should I wait the same time between coats when applying extra gesso, for reasons given above?
Thanks in advance
Mathew,
many thanks for your sound and thorough advice again. I do a lot of quick studies (most are discarded) and use cheap panels/stretched canvases for these. I am now applying inexpensive gesso to them to fill in the weave. Technically unsound but saves a lot of bucks and fit for the purpose. Will get some denatured alcohol, as you advise, for studies I will keep for a while.
For any serious work I use only professional quality materials.
Between coats, it’s sufficient to let it dry to the touch with no wet or soft material beneath a skin. The additional time before painting is to allow the film to achieve full integrity, as coalescents leave the dry primer and all the acrylic microparticles bond together. One additional piece of advice for top-coating factory-primed canvas: some cheaper canvases have, in the past, shipped with a release agent on the primed side that prevents sticking in manufacture, but which can interfere with adhesion. I don’t know if it’s still a problem with any current manufacturers, but if you are priming over a generic canvas that you haven’t used before, or a brand you don’t recognize, it’s a good idea to wipe it down with a little denatured alcohol on a rag to remove any residue that might be present.
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