Digital BW, The Print

I'll attempt to answer all the questions I have received in response to my 
comments about hydrocoating.  Remember though, I'm just reporting my 
observations so you must remember I'm no expert.  Your results may differ 
from mine given the numerous variables in any photographic procedure.  

Anyway,   HVLP is an acronym for "High Volume, Low Pressure. "  Mine is not 
an expensive one but you can pay hundreds for a really good one.  I think I 
paid a hundred or a hundred and a half for mine.  The paint gun has a plastic 
bottle which mounts vertically on the gun and the material being used is fed 
by gravity.  

I use only Epson Enhanced Matte and I use from 8x10 to 13 x19 sheets.  
Unlike using a meyer rod, you can coat any size without  difficulty.  I cut a 
piece of cardboard exactly the same size of the print or just a tiny bit smaller.  
Using removable scotch tape, I make a ring of the tape about an inch or so in 
diameter with the sticky side out and attach  the rings of tape to the back of the 
print.  I then place the print on the cardboard so that no part of the cardboard 
can be seen.  This assures that the cardboard can be used over and over 
again and the rings of tape hold the print down flat so that it doesn't curl when 
it is sprayed.. I've cut cardboard pieces to fit any size I normally would want to 
coat and use them over and over again.  

I place the print and cardboard backing down on some newspapers after 
wiping it off very carefully with a soft hankerchief.  I would not  try shooting 
vertically as my experience has shown that runs are a serious problem 
shooting vertically.

Once my paint gun is loaded with the hydrocote,  I begin spraying using a 
back and forth movement of arm and wrist painting the material in a smooth 
consistence manner from outside the print, across the print, and past it.  I 
begin at the bottom two inches or so of the print which is closest to me and 
spray back and forth until I can see the print is well coated without any dry or 
thin areas.  I then move up the print slowly repeating the procedure over and 
over until I get to the top of the print and see that it too is fully coated.  

I do this in my garage without any special preparation to the garage.  I spray 
when the temperature is between  say 55 and 75 degrees.  I don't know if the 
temperature is critical but I imagine that at lower temperatures  one might 
have a problem making the material flow out.  Too hot and I think you could 
run into other problems.  

The prints dry to the touch in about an hour at room temperature.  They are 
not a bit tacky.  I have been allowing one week before sleeving just to be safe.  
I'm in the dark here so take my word with a grain of salt.  

I find there is almost no overspray with a HVLP and thus you save on material.  
At $42 a gallon,  you don't want to be spraying everything in the garage, 
right?  Since there is only nominal overspray I don't feet the need for a mask 
or respirator.  I don't even smell the material.  

Forgive the lengthy post but I wanted to make sure I covered all your 
questions.  I would much appreciate seeing your own observations after you 
try this and whether this post is helpful for you.   I'd like to learn more.

If you have any other questions, please ask.

Joe