Glue for Canvas

[Grapes]

I found a very good, strong raw linen canvas piece 70x70 cm in my storage. It's waiting for me to paint on it!
I thought l could glue (size) it and add gesso.

Does anyone know if I can glue (seal) the canvas with this material which - I suppose - is glue? Originally l purchased it for cold leaf.

 

[Enyaw]

AINope, it’s water based

 

[Donna T]

I’ve never prepared a linen canvas, Grapes, so I looked into the process. Apparently you can dilute glue to make your own size:

“You can easily make PVA size yourself from white glue and water (you can buy it premixed, but it's about six times more expensive than making your own). However, a note of caution: Elmer's white glue is not pH neutral and is not suitable for use as a size—use a brand like Lineco instead.”

Here is the article I found. I looked up the adhesive you have but couldn’t find anything about pH. Maybe you can contact the company?

 

[Grapes]

Thanks Wayne and Donna.

Then I'd better find a pH neutral glue like Lineco. Thanks Donna for the link, it's really good information. Thanks also the info about the pH. I didn't know that before.
I think I'm now building a good idea on how to do sizing properly.

When I started long time ago - some 20 yrs ago - to prepare my own canvases I did use glue that has pH about 4 .. 6 so that wasn't neutral.

A while back l was visiting the main museum of Helsinki, the area where the restorers work and they told that the glue l used a long time ago is too strong for sizing. At that time l diluted it with water to thin it. The canvas did tighten nicely on the stretcher bars - I remember how lovely feeling that was. Making your own canvases can be rewarding, too.

The paintings l prepared were for practice supports only and the canvases worked fine for that purpose.