Gum Arabic alternatives?

[polkat]

I use Vernice Bianca on my instruments and like the results, but...I don't make that many. So I'm tired of trying to find gum arabic in small amounts in my little CA mountain town. Considering what the gum actually does, I want to keep it in the mix, but I am wondering what alternatives to gum arabic I might consider? Any suggestions?

[DonLeister]

Do you buy it in liquid or solid form? I have some I bought from Kremer that is solid and seems to be keeping well. I have little experience using it except in litho as a block and it was liquid that we used, came out af a gallon jug.

[polkat]

Well, I had been buying it in the local art store-a liquid at 50% arabic and 50% water, but the store stopped carrying it. I read tonight that the market for it is having trouble due to political problems where most of it is produced. Gum arabic is a natural sap gum, one of the few that is soluable in water, and that got me to thinking about the posibility of guar gum as a substitute as, while not as good, it has similar properties and can be found in health food stores.

[Joe Christian]

Well, I had been buying it in the local art store-a liquid at 50% arabic and 50% water, but the store stopped carrying it. I read tonight that the market for it is having trouble due to political problems where most of it is produced. Gum arabic is a natural sap gum, one of the few that is soluable in water, and that got me to thinking about the posibility of guar gum as a substitute as, while not as good, it has similar properties and can be found in health food stores.

There's a good chance your health food store will carry Gum Arabic or can get it for you at a cheaper price than artists supplies will sell it to you for. The one near me calls it Acacia Gum. It's used in herbalism and insence making. I remember reading the ingredients for Altoids once and thinking that it sure sounded like a vernice bianca alternative if you were stuck in the middle of the desert with a can of altoids and a white violin. I'm not sure about the guar gum.

--joe

[FiddleDoug]

I have found that the best source for a lot of the resins and natural dyes used for varnish making are herbal, witchcraft, and incense stores. Try SomaLuna.com

[Michael_Molnar]

Try this source for varnish supplies:

WoodFinishing Enterprises

Mike

[Johnmasters]

I have found that the best source for a lot of the resins and natural dyes used for varnish making are herbal, witchcraft, and incense stores. Try SomaLuna.com

Those people also like home-dying and you may find a clerk with knowledge. Or books on traditional dying. Do you want to dye at home ?? Get a living will

Try this source for varnish supplies:

WoodFinishing Enterprises

Mike

His name is Dale Pryzbl. If you are not sure about things, phone him and ask. (I am pretty sure that is the correct spelling)

[Johnmasters]

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