Friday 23 February 2007

lyes lyes and truths

first posted 2/22/06

I had success with the lye after reducing the concentration, nice transparent lakes so far. Adequate preparation of the lake is needed prior to use.

Colour tests underway with opaque variants too, showing some promise.

Caution: lye is very corrosive in high concentrations.

The lye is also useful for cleaning oil based paint spills on the slab as it effectively combines with the oil to make a self-cleaning detergent. Not that easy to clean brushes though as the hair is vulnerable to decomposition.

Highly concentrated lye will rot animal hair, some wool left in a small tub of lye was reduced to a jelly like substance.

No comments: