Tru Vu Conservation Clear

[Roboframer]

The wording at the bottom of the sheets of CC glass reads "Tru Vu (blah) this side faces artwork - score opposite side" Yes?

Well - I only ever get as far as reading 'Tru Vu' normally - if it's back to front and inside out I'm on the right side to score, if I can read it, I turn it around.

But today I read the whole thing and it said "Opposite side faces artwork - score opposite side"

Say WHAT?

I rang my supplier and they said they'd had a lot of calls and what they reckon it means is "Opposite side faces artwork and so score the opposite side to that"!

But no - I tried without doing the normal tests (water beads more on the coated side - non coated side can be cleaned with 0000 grade steel wool - coated side will get wrecked)

It shattered when I tried to snap it and am claiming that sheet back from the supplier that gave me the advice.

So - it seems that Tru Vu WANT us to have the coated side facing out - does this perhaps offer more UV protection?

Not doing it anyway! The coating is too susceptible to scratching.

Same problem with Conservation Reflection Control too - coating on the etched side!

Being discussed on The Grumble at present (be warned - 10 pages so far!)

[Not your average framer]

Hi John,

My first pack of Con Clear arrives tomorrow and reading your post does not create a great impression to convince me to continue buying Tru-Vue. Is this a change in their markings, or has it always been like this?

This might be a good time to hear from other Forum members about the relative qualities of "Tru-Vue", "Image Perfect", "Clear Colour" and anything else that might be out there.

I for one must admit to not having any clear idea of which brand is the best, but have started with Tru-Vue for no other reason than it appears to be the most popular brand.

[Bill Henry]

TruVue has really dropped the ball recently on both their product lines and their public relations/marketing.

Either through stupidity on my part or mislabeling on theirs, I once scored the coated side accidentally. It broke on the scored line jes’ fine.

I routinely brush the newly exposed edge of all cut glass with a stiffish wallpaper brush. This seems to keep the chips and dust from migrating to the UV surface and scratching the laminate.

Since I discovered that it makes no never mind which side is scored, I almost always score the laminated side. Since my glass cutter is twenty some years old and has dings, bumps and boo-boos on it, I feel it is safer to score and break it “backwards”.

[realhotglass]

John,

If TV has done the same thing with CC as it seems they have with CRC, then it would be a huge mistake on their part.

Without any inside knowledge of what they have changed exactly, it is hard to say why these changes have been made with CRC, and possibly CC.

In my experience, ANYTHING on the outside surface of (glass) glazing is going to be a bad move. End clients need plain glass external surfaces that will stand up to time.

Someone on the US Grumble mentioned a film on the CRC glass now.
We film large 3mm clear for oversize jobs here for framers, to block UV and give safety, but we put the film on the inside of the glass to eliminate concern.
It is possible to get films similar to a non glare finish, and possibly could be used on the outside surface of a clear glass to give both NG finish and block the UV.

Films will scratch, especially with general cleaning over time, much like acrylic materials, and you just can't expect everyday users to look after such glazing products at a level to make them last in good aesthetic order.

But until more is known about the process of CRC (and maybe CC) manufacture, then it really is all a big unknown.
I wish some of my local clients that use TV would contact me re this, maybe they are still using existing old stocks.

For the record, TV is opposition to me in some products (for now), but I am a big believer in art protection / better aesthetic products, wherever they come from.

I really hope TV work this out, and fast.
As arguably the largest manufacturer of speciality glasses in the world, great damage could be done to these products in the eyes of the industry and a great deal of ground gained in the past few years lost.

[realhotglass]

TruVue . . . I once scored the coated side accidentally. It broke on the scored line jes’ fine.

I routinely brush the newly exposed edge of all cut glass with a stiffish wallpaper brush.

Yes Bill, I also tested this once or twice with no bad effects.
When framers use wall cutters (most framers use these of course) sliding it in with the coating back is a big risk . . . usually a backing of an old mat is best used to reduce risk of damage.

TV coatings are rolled on.
You can see the wavy sea like effect on it in certain light.
Sometimes it is a subtle effect, and other times it can be very much more pronounced.

Maybe cutting thicker coating could lead to more cutting problems, and worse 'spalling' of the coating when cut ?
Possible if cutters have oil on them, this might be viewed as a chemical risk to the coating too.

[Roboframer]

Is this a change in their markings, or has it always been like this?

No, this is new - stick to my basic principle - if you can read it, score the opposite side and the side you score faces out.

It's good stuff - in fact I personally know of no other stuff (normal UV - not 'invisible plus UV' - I know a couple of those) There was Guardian, but it's no more.

I've always had issues with the way Tru Vu put the wording on the glass - it's at the bottom - OK - you can make the bottom the top by turning the lite around, but if you do that, the writing is upside down, so then you think (or I do) 'Hmmmmm - can I not read this because it is upside down or back to front?' Does my head in sometimes.

Bill - my wall mounted glass cutter will simply skip across the coated side, resulting in what happened in my initial post.

The dust will settle - it'll be the same stuff with the same protection - I've just been messed around - and I needed that last sheet for a job for collection tomorrow - ended up cannibalising a bit of glass from a framed thing for sale in the shop.

Also, when I rang my glass supplier to tell them what had happened after following their instructions, I was told someone in authority would ring me back 'after lunch' and they didn't. Far as they were concerned I needed replacement today or tomorrow - maybe it will just turn up tomorrow - we'll see.

I like to be treated the same way as I would treat a customer and it ain't happening - all sorts read this - if the cap fits ......

[Crescent Cardboard]

Hi Guys,

Sorry to hear your problems with the Tru Vue Con Clear. I have spoken to QC and they tell me that they had a number of production problems with the printing which has now been resolved and processes put in place to ensure it doesn't happen again. I hope this hasn't really put you off using such a fine product?

The "official" line on cutting is that you should place a non slip board (suede board or the like) between the glass and the back of the wall cutter to avoid scratching. Place the glass sheet in the wall unit with the coated side towards the wall facing the slip sheet. Score the uncoated side only. Keep the glass cutter clean of glass chips by brushing away fragments frequently with a horse hair brush.

The UV coating is always found on the side with the ink jet print. The coated side will also bead water or glass cleaner more than the uncoated side. Finally, if unsure, apply a small scratch to the edge of the glass which will be hidden by the rebate of the frame. The coating will be scratched, the glass will not. Please wear gloves when doing this !!!!

The UV coating should ALWAYS be placed against the artwork.

Let me know if you have any issues with these suggestions or suggestions for these issues. Keep selling up!!