Digital BW, The Print

Clayton makes some very good points and the discussion about gelatin coating is of great interest and will be a practical solution for some, but it does not seem to be a feasible proposition for many of us.I have used furniture laquers with full breathing equipment and am well aware of the problems of toxic chemicals. However in the 'real world' we are surrounded by a cocktail of harmful vapours and have to take a realistic attitude to dosage and possible effects.It is that or stop driving our cars and limit ourselves to water based products-hardly practical.
The question Harry raised seemed a reasonable one-"what is the best print coating apart from gelatin?(taking into consideration toxicity, ease of application, and effect on the print)
My work is usually submitted for exhibition & display in various locations and subject to a lot of handling. They are mounted and matted but the print surface is vulnerable to scuffs & scratches, so a coating to harden & protect the 3MK carbon ink layer is what I am looking for,so positive suggestions are welcome.
Chris.

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Clayton Price <clay@...> wrote:
>
> Sometimes this is an amazing group of people -- interested in research for improving print longevity, quality, and advancing a new and wondrous technology. Then again, there are times when logic and broader concerns get thrown out the window - this is one of those times. Out of fourteen related threads about gelatin on todays B&W list, (I subscribe to it as a daily digest), it's amazing that absolutely nobody talks about the danger of using these various spray compounds in any terms beyond them  "stinking a bit". Aside from the environmental problems with all of them, which are considerable, the major problem is that many of us will never get to see the longevity or long term surface protection beyond the short term.  I'm not a medical person, but do have some knowledge of chemistry, and it takes very little research to discover the carcinogenic qualities in many of  the listed ingredients contained in these products. Those of you who talk about using a face mask are living (for the time being) in a dream world, unless you use one with specific filtration for the exact chemical family contained in the spray. And it doesn't have to smell bad, or at all, to give you cancer.
> 
>  Gelatin is one of those harmless compounds that have worked in our analog iterations for over one hundred years, and personally, I think it has very good possibilities for our digital world.  Bravo to those taking the time and effort to experiment with it! 
> 
>  Regards for a happy and safe New Year. 
> 
> Clayton Price
> 
> <<< "bobtail75" cperfect594@...   bobtail75
> Wed Dec 29, 2010 6:48 am (PST) wrote:
> 
> Yes, the gelatin approach may/may not be the ultimate answer, but for many of us a step too far ! Here in the UK I have had good results with Lyson Printguard,from Marrutt.com I use an 1800/3MK set-up. Using Innova smooth Cotton media the surface appearance is barely changed,blacks are slightly enhanced and 'rub-off' prevented. On Ilford Gold Fibre Silk two coats gave a beautiful low gloss very like a darkroom un-glazed glossy.
> Only problem:it stinks a bit. I use a face mask and extractor fan near a window. It dries quickly, but the label warns of several safety aspects. A non toxic version would be good.
> Chris.
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "HarryB" <hrblaine@> wrote:
> >
> > Do any of you use spray (cans) and if so, what? Thanks! Harry>>>
> >
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>