INSTACOLL (MINIATUM)
This is an imported acrylic based, water soluble product that is available in a yellow or off white color. Manufactured in Germany by Kolner Gilding Systems Inc. It is promoted as a raising preparation for gilding, that will provide a high gloss shine on indoor or outdoor gilded projects relating to plaster, wood, metal, glass and other non- porus products. Porus items would have to be sealed prior to Instacoll being used as a base coat.
It is recommended that you only use Patent Gold on this product.
Application is generally provided by brush. According to the manufacturers directions this product can be diluted with water no more than 15%. A thin watered down layer is applied first. Then while partially wet, a second layer of Instacoll in full strength is applied on top of the diluted coat. You can apply several coats of Instacoll on top of itself. For best results this procedure should be carried out while the Instacoll is wet.
Instacoll does not apply to itself seamlessly. Care must be taken when adding coats to insure that it covers the previous layer completely. Additional coats can be added to cover any imperfections that may arise from its application, but once dry beyond the tack time, it can only receive Gold by an activator. Visable blemishes cannot be eliminated once Instacoll dries.
After Instacoll has been applied, in full strength, the tack time becomes critical in order for Instacoll to accept the Gold. The window of opportunity for applying the Gold according to the manufacturer’s directions is an hour or less. There may also be some climate relationships to humidity in the area the work is being done in.
Careful attention should be provided if working indoors. A humid area will delay the tack from drying properly. If the tack has dried on the Instacoll, prior to any attempt to gild on non porous surfaces the Gold will not adhere. Breathing on the Instacoll will not provide a proper tack response to wood, metal, plaster, glass.
There is an additive that can be applied on top of the Instacoll to revitalize the tack. The additive can be applied at anytime. However once the additive has been used, the shine will be reduced substantially.
The ultimate mirror gloss is obtained when gilding is done on a smooth surface using cotton as the burnisher. An Agate or Hematite stone should not be used as it can scratch the surface of the gilded object. Burnishing stones can be used on paper, but rely on
the instructors directions.
This product was developed for the gilding community that needed a high gloss on prepared non-porous surfaces such as glass, wood, stone, plaster, etc. Also called Miniatum in the Calligraphic
community. Some slight adjustments in the procedures for use.
It is strongly recommended that you follow your teacher’s directions when using this product on paper. Having the Instacoll Additive on hand is also advisable if their is to be a delay in gilding for more than an hour.
