Save money preparing your own Aluminium Art Panels

[@lilliankoponen9760]

Very thorough - so helpful! Thanks

[@RaymondOreFineArt]

Glad it was of use.

[@Progressiverockmusicanddrums]

Can you do a sketch with pencil on a aluminum panel?

[@RaymondOreFineArt]

The panel needs covering in Gesso so I guess if you make that smooth enough you could use pencil on it, it'll be like drawing on Bristol Board.

[@annteather2826]

Really interesting. Do you seal the edges? I am thinking of how aluminium bicycle racks oxydise, albeit exposed to the elements.

[@RaymondOreFineArt]

Yes, once framed it should be sealed from the outside but if you notice the roller goes beyond the panel and when it does that the geso covers up the edge so I don't think there's any worry.

[@maudale]

Thank you for sharing! When I removed the plastic , there were two dents, so I decided to sand and gesso the other side, do you think this was a bad idea?

[@RaymondOreFineArt]

The panels I buy are double-sided so it doesn't matter which side I use but Gesso is really good at sticking fast to almost any surface if it's stable with a good key.

[@maudale]

@@RaymondOreFineArt Thank you so much!! my panel is larger than I would like if not cradled, ( I never managed to find a place in the UK that makes cradled wood panels, made to measure). If I order a strecher, would you recommend any particular type of glue, as I have never tried this before. I'm even tempted to use nails or screws that would be flush with the surface.

[@RaymondOreFineArt]

If everything is wood standard pva would do the job, clamped tight while drying.

[@maudale]

@@RaymondOreFineArt The panel would be the aluminium composite sheet and the stretcher frame would be wood, I'm assuming PVA would work on the plastic/aluminium sheet as well?

[@RaymondOreFineArt]

No, I can't see PVA working on the Aluminum. Does it really need cradling? Are you going to frame it? If so the frame should do the same job.

[@apriljoyjones3285]

Hi Raymond. Could you use copper? And do you use the same process? Thank you.

[@RaymondOreFineArt]

I don't see why not but I would use an etching primer on the copper first then Gesso. Copper is very expensive though.

[@chrisgriffith1573]

Good quality WHAT?? Acrylic? Oil? PVA? RSG? Kinda leaves a lot to wonder... If you are using the acrylic on the epoxy primer they apply to those, then yes, an acrylic primer/gesso will not go down very well, the surface if the epoxy is homogeneous and tight, so simply sanding it does not "rough" it up at base structure, so acrylic needs an extra etching component to adhere. Mostly that comes in the form of the ammonia content of the acrylic. (or, you can etch it yourself by wiping it down with ammonia and denatured alcohol before applying the gesso, this also removes any unwanted oils from the sticky plastic covering you peeled off)

[@ArtbyJoeH]

I’ve been working with acrylic sheets which I prepare in the same way . What’s the long term difference ?

[@RaymondOreFineArt]

Sorry for the late reply I didn't notice it until now. The pub sign I did was on Acrylic sheet and that's been outside in all weather's for 6 years now and it's holding up fine so I haven't seen any difference yet.

[@beachlife2968]

Hi, Raymond great video as always. Who is the supplier you use if you don't mind me asking? I saw one online which had 3 variations which confused me even more haha.

[@RaymondOreFineArt]

I use www.signtradesupplies.co.uk and I go for the white/white ACM premium. I didn't do any great research to find them as there was so many to choose from but I've been very happy with their service and buying 10 at a time spreads the delivery charge nicely.

[@beachlife2968]

@@RaymondOreFineArt Cheers. That's the site I went to with the 3 options. Always wanted to try Aluminium panels but like you said they are expensive from art shops.