Aluminum panels

Timothy C. Tyler · 12-26-2002, 01:06 PM

I wonder if anyone has any good info on aluminum panels. I'm tired of the sags and droops of large stretched linen. I've priced some panels from expensive museum art restoring places. These panels cost more than some frames! I wonder about getting panels directly from the aluminum producers.

Many of the leading landscape guys are using these panels for their larger works. Are any of you using them for portraits? I'm told they can't be beat for lasting, stable ground and never sag!

Karin Wells · 12-31-2002, 11:17 PM

I've painted on aluminum panels. The best and cheapest kind comes with a baked enamel finish. Look for them in a store that sells sign supplies. You can't beat them for a smooth surface. However, you will need to rough 'em up a bit with a fine sandpaper so your paint will stick.

The reason I don't use them is because they can be a very "slippery" surface. Because the paint can only dry from one side, drying times are longer. And lastly, even though it is aluminum, it made for a very heavy painting and tended to break my frames apart.

Timothy C. Tyler · 01-01-2003, 10:59 PM

I've found several museum quality services that sell these - they are VERY expensive. They are very strong honeycombed aluminum panels. Most of the art places will attach linen to the metal for a PRICE! I was hoping to get these direct. I think I've found a source for those too. Thanks Karin.

Karin Wells · 01-01-2003, 11:39 PM

Did you find an internet source for these? I'd like to know the weight/size of a panel when you get it.

Timothy C. Tyler · 01-02-2003, 06:41 PM

Today, I got an awesome sample. I'm talking over details now and I'll let you know - it looks really great. I just tried twice to make a panel myself and wasted 2 hours; then this lovely, perfect example showed up in the mail.

Look up Wlison Hurley, Oklahoma City Murals? I think that's where I found the stuff.

Chris Saper · 01-02-2003, 07:53 PM

I have an internet clipping from April 2001, from the http://www.museumservicescorporation.com and their website is operational...start here:
http://www.museumservicescorporation.com/painting.htm for the honeycomb aluminum panels.

This may be what you are referring to, Tim. The website is operational, and there appears to be quite a number of interesting painting supports available, and they can be ordered with ragboard or linen mounted to the panels.

Timothy C. Tyler · 01-03-2003, 11:59 PM

It is for me rather like looking any other very nice thing I feel I can't afford. I may yet try them. It seems they do make some very reliable products. I priced a 40" X 60" panel from one place and the total, delivered price was one thousand dollars.

Sharon Knettell · 01-06-2003, 04:45 PM

Hello all!

I just got a quote from www.museumservices.com on panels I would like. The Info is on my thread about MDF panels.

MDF board is much nicer than masonite, lighter and takes paint well. It is widely used in Europe and is archival.

I also make a cost and weight comparison between the MDF board and the aluminum panels.

Timothy C. Tyler · 01-15-2003, 10:18 PM

As some of you know there's a new product out there using thin aluminum in a far less expensive fashion than the honeycomb style panels. I've seen the samples and ordered a large selection. I'll report back on it.

Timothy C. Tyler · 01-28-2003, 02:06 AM

My panels arrived as promised and were all I expected. I'm about finished working on the first one and it's wonderful. The surface is eggshell yet will never rot. The absorbtion rate is perfect etc. It's good stuff. It ought to last 500 years - not that anyone will care.