Canvas on Masonite - Success!

As a die-hard "hard surface" painter, I've been using gessoed Masonite for years. However, nothing will ever replace the canvas look for look and effect. To that end, I stretched a few canvases in the last few months and while they came out really tight and all that, I just can't stand that "give" even the tightest canvas gives you. Also, I live in a humid area, and I noticed that the canvases "loosened up" a little with time. Not going to work for me!!

Soooooooo, Chris Saper to the rescue! I recently read the following from one of Chris's posts:

". . . I don't prime the materials at all. With the tempered masonite, I use a sponge paint roller to apply the Demco glue in an even coat to the smooth side, then apply the pre-primed canvas. This is a canvas prep method I learned some years ago when I studied with Dan Gerhartz, whom I consider to be extraordinary not only in his work, but also in his methods. I have been working in oil for about five years now, and my first canvases are still in beautiful condition; of course, I can't attest to what they may be like in 25 years."

Well, long story short, I tried Chris' method, and it works. Elaborating on her instructions, here's exactly what I did:

First, I bought my usual double-tempered [smooth on both sides] Masonite at Home Depot. Cost about $2.50. That's for a 24" x 48" sheet. My Home Depot cuts the bigger sheets into these smaller sizes. I had Home Depot cut my sheet into a 24" x 40" sheet. Took it home and sanded one side with 220 grit sandpaper - just enough to get a good surface for the glue to grip.

Secondly, I made sure to get as much of the sanding dust off as I could. DO NOT use a wet cloth for this - Masonite *WILL* warp if you get a drop of water within 20 miles - do I make myself clear?

Next, I cut a sheet of Frederix Ultra-Smooth Portrait grade Polyflax canvas about 4" bigger than the Masonite all around.

Home Depot sells the little 4" sponge paint rollers. Use it to roll on a good layer of DEMCO Specially Formulated NeutralBond Modified Vinyl Adhesive, Stock no. 162-0822 [They have a website - they're in WI]. I just poured some of the glue down directly on the Masonite and then rolled it around into a smooth layer. Don't lollygag here - the glue will start to set up in about a minute.

Start on one end and lay the canvas down - use a good hard hand roller to make sure no bubbles are on the surface. That's probably the biggest danger here - air bubbles. If you find any, and you will, roll them towards the closest edge.

I finished by really rolling hard all over. After a few minutes, I used a really sharp cutter to trim the canvas, exposing the EDGE of the Masonite. I then sealed the edge of the canvas/Masonite with a foam paintbrush to keep the edges 'down'.

Now, you've got a good HARD canvas surface! Looks great!

Thanks Chris!
Wade Meyers