Tom LaRussa
04-01-2005, 3:03 PM
I just baked up a nice batch of re-jappaned plane parts. ;) :p
http://home.earthlink.net/~tomlarussa/050105/703.jpg
For anybody who wants to make their own Japan, here's the recipe:
Mix together:
turpentine
BLO
powdered asphaltum (RembrandtGraphicArts.com)
powdered rosin (DickBlick.com)
Damar gum (DickBlick.com)
Cook this mixture in a double boiler until it no longer feels gritty when rubbed between your fingers. Note: Be really careful doing this, as getting blown up can ruin your whole day -- not to mention the batch of Japan.
Lay the stuff on in three thin coats, baking at 450 (f) for about an hour after each coat. It's possible to put it on thick enough to cover in one coat, but that can cause runs and bubbles which get baked into the finish, so I go the long way. I've tried baking at a lower temp, but it just doesn't get hard enough at anything under 450.
When it's done baking the finish is quite hard. It feels more like porcelain than paint -- although I don't think it's actually as hard as porcelain. But it is certainly harder than any paint I've used.
http://home.earthlink.net/~tomlarussa/050105/703.jpg
For anybody who wants to make their own Japan, here's the recipe:
Mix together:
turpentine
BLO
powdered asphaltum (RembrandtGraphicArts.com)
powdered rosin (DickBlick.com)
Damar gum (DickBlick.com)
Cook this mixture in a double boiler until it no longer feels gritty when rubbed between your fingers. Note: Be really careful doing this, as getting blown up can ruin your whole day -- not to mention the batch of Japan.
Lay the stuff on in three thin coats, baking at 450 (f) for about an hour after each coat. It's possible to put it on thick enough to cover in one coat, but that can cause runs and bubbles which get baked into the finish, so I go the long way. I've tried baking at a lower temp, but it just doesn't get hard enough at anything under 450.
When it's done baking the finish is quite hard. It feels more like porcelain than paint -- although I don't think it's actually as hard as porcelain. But it is certainly harder than any paint I've used.