I want to make my own japanned tin plates, but the only asphalt that I could get hold of here in South Africa, is liquid-asphaltum. Consisting of 50% asphaltum and 50% Mineral Spirits in the form of Xylol (Xylene).

Is there anyone that can help with some wise guidance, that have used liquid-asphaltum in making tin plates.

Thanks

You may be just fine with that. Depending on how you do it, you may need two coats on the front, and one on the back (always coat the reverse of tins also, but neednt be as thick). Im not sure if the solvent used is compatible with mineral spirits, youll need to experiment with that first, but I think youll need to thin your material even more.

after you bake your first test plate hard and dry, put a little collodion on a rag and try to 'wipe' the black off. If nothing come off on the rag, youve baked long and hard enough and your plates should be fine.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/2011 09:55AM by Ray Morgenweck.

Thanks Ray