Jump to content
Maestronet Forums

varnish as usual


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 329
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • 3 months later...
  • 1 month later...
4 hours ago, Peter K-G said:

Joe,

Unfortunately I can't get anything out of these low resolution images, It would be interesting to see how your varnish looks though. You really need to buy a new phone!

br. Peter

Peter,

It might be the photographer!  I'm finishing up a violin I'm pleased with.  I'll try out the camera on my new tablet.

on we go,

Joe

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/18/2018 at 2:21 PM, joerobson said:

It might be the photographer!  I'm finishing up a violin I'm pleased with.  I'll try out the camera on my new tablet.

All cameras are pretty good these days.  It's the LIGHTING that makes all the difference.

5 minutes ago, Michael_Molnar said:

What makes a varnish not self-leveling as you mentioned in the Strad article?

Lean varnish? 

More cooking = more self-leveling... as the oil becomes more like stand oil.  Leaner also could prevent leveling.  At least, that's what I think... let's see if Joe agrees.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 hours ago, Don Noon said:

All cameras are pretty good these days.  It's the LIGHTING that makes all the difference.

More cooking = more self-leveling... as the oil becomes more like stand oil.  Leaner also could prevent leveling.  At least, that's what I think... let's see if Joe agrees.

Don,

The key to a non self leveling varnish is not cooking time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/16/2018 at 5:39 PM, joerobson said:

Thanks Mike.  I love the title...their idea, not mine!

Joe,

I would like to add that I enjoyed the article too. I was totally absorbed by it even though I know little about varnishes. 

For those who haven't read it, the article is 5 pages long and takes us through a fascinating history of the color red and how the discovery of cochineal beetles by the Spanish in Mexico was a game changer. It seems almost certain that the Spanish presence in Cremona was responsible for the introduction of this particular color to Stradivari who responded to the demand for it.

Anyone who has poured hot water onto the shrivelled bodies of these insects can't help but be impressed by the brilliance of the red leeched out. Once seen, Dragon's blood and other red colorants fade into the backgound. The challenge was always how to get it into an oil varnish and you seem to have solved that problem. Very impressive.

Thanks

Glenn

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, GlennYorkPA said:

Joe,

I would like to add that I enjoyed the article too. I was totally absorbed by it even though I know little about varnishes. 

For those who haven't read it, the article is 5 pages long and takes us through a fascinating history of the color red and how the discovery of cochineal beetles by the Spanish in Mexico was a game changer. It seems almost certain that the Spanish presence in Cremona was responsible for the introduction of this particular color to Stradivari who responded to the demand for it.

Anyone who has poured hot water onto the shrivelled bodies of these insects can't help but be impressed by the brilliance of the red leeched out. Once seen, Dragon's blood and other red colorants fade into the backgound. The challenge was always how to get it into an oil varnish and you seem to have solved that problem. Very impressive.

Thanks

Glenn

 

Happy that you enjoyed it.  I found the historical research as interesting as the varnish forensics.

on we go,

Joe

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, joerobson said:

Happy that you enjoyed it.  I found the historical research as interesting as the varnish forensics.

on we go,

Joe

Joe, 

I think everything we do should be seen in an historical perspective. It's important and fascinating and helps us appreciate the shoulders on which we all stand.

You say this cochineal varnish can only be made in small batches (thus explaining why the varnish of each of the golden age Strads is a bit different). Can you elaborate on this? What happens if you attempt a larger batch?

Glenn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, GlennYorkPA said:

Joe, 

I think everything we do should be seen in an historical perspective. It's important and fascinating and helps us appreciate the shoulders on which we all stand.

You say this cochineal varnish can only be made in small batches (thus explaining why the varnish of each of the golden age Strads is a bit different). Can you elaborate on this? What happens if you attempt a larger batch?

Glenn

You get a nice BROWN varnish!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



×
×
  • Create New...