The Framers Forum

I'm trialling some gilding. Am soaking my first batch of size for making gesso tomorrow. Have prepared my trial frames and filled imperfections and sanded them. Can I further use the gesso to fill out any imperfections that I find?

Yes indeed, you can use gesso to fill any further imperfections.

When you do add fresh gesso to a dried gesso finish, wet the surface first with some cold water and let that soak in.
Otherwise the new coat of gesso will show a honey comb of pin-holes.

One question - can I ask where you bought the RSG?

RSG came from Gold Leaf Supplies.

Thanks for the tip...

Good move.

So much depends on having the right RSG.

I've seen old pieces of painted furniture where gesso had been used to cover very iffy wood to produce a smooth finish.
Enough coats can bury anything.

Dermot,

Regarding RSG, can i ask why gold leaf supplies rsg is good and what is wrong with some other rsg? Is it possible to tell whether it is decent or poor rsg when you prepare it?

More for interest as i have only ever used gold leaf supplies Rsg in any case, but that was just luck that i chose them.

Cheers

Nick

Hi Nick

I think the problem relates to residual animal fats being left in some grades of RSG.

They all look the same and for the consumer there's no way of knowing which grade is the more refined. Production of RSG is a tiny footnote in the processing of animal by-products and I imagine there is a certain degree of unconcern from the manufacturers.

There are luckily some manufacturers who are prepared to refine and clean their RSG and that's why it's important to buy from a distributor who understands the importance of a clean working grade glue.

I buy the Manetti brand as this company specializes in high grade gilding products.

Thanks for the info. I had no idea, but it makes sense.

Nick

I started making gesso with RSG from a well known framers' supply company and had no end of trouble. It was only when I tried another brand of RSG after getting advice on this forum (switched to Manetti, thanks Dermot) that most of my gesso problems disappeared.

Matt

It was pure luck that i went with manetti Rsg, and also tend to use manetti gold leaf too so have not experienced those problems. But good to know that i should stick with them.