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question on waxing a board before stretching watercolour paper

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21.08 slaley hall maluillustration PROMO - low res small

Gerry Mellor

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Hi Folks, I need to purchase a new board for stretching paper (larger than what I already have)... so my question is, if I buy a board that isn't already prepped for stretching, does anyone have any advice on what type of wax/sealant to use please, to prevent the wet paper from sticking to the board ? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

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by Gerry Mellor

Alan Bickley

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What type of board are you getting Gerry? I use untreated MDF and have never had any issues with the paper sticking to it…
21.08 slaley hall maluillustration PROMO - low res small

Gerry Mellor

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Thanks Alan. Not settled on anything specific yet... still looking, and yet to make my choice, but when I was pricing them, some made it clear they'd need sealing or waxing if used for stretching paper, so I need to take that into account. Thanks. 
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Andrew Roles

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I use untreated MDF too, and also never had an issue with the paper sticking - I use Arches paper.   I’m old school and use gummed paper strips for the edges which do need a bit of soaking to clean up after the painting is removed. 
21.08 slaley hall maluillustration PROMO - low res small

Gerry Mellor

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Thanks Andrew. I use gum paper too, and usually use paper around 300g, (but varying brands), so I'm hoping it's not going to be a big issue for me, but I just got a little concerned over what some board manufacturers were saying regards seal or wax, so thought I'd seek some opinions if there was experience, here, on 'sealing' . (I do have some untreated mdf, so I may just experiment with that as well). I soak my paper in the bath for 5mins so it's not exactly 'wringing' per se, so maybe I'll be brave and just give it a go. Thanks again
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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Just to throw in my twopenn'orth - my board is a thick sheet of plywood, which I wipe down with kitchen roll after use (and before use, because ply can trap bits of gunk, for want of a better word, which can stick to the back of the paper; not disastrous, but not welcome).  However, while gummed tape sticks to it, masking tape doesn't (or at least, it's a lot easier to peel off).  You could use a laminated surface if this is a concern to you; a sheet of hardboard; or, as stated, MDF.  You can even use glass, or a polyurethane material.  What I ask of a painting or drawing board - my large bit of ply serves as both - is that it doesn't warp, and provides enough tooth for tape to stick, if I should use tape at all.  

Kay Devlin

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I also use a piece of thick MDF which is untreated. I almost always stretch my paper  (soak it in the bath) and use gummed paper to stick it down. I do this no matter what the weight of the paper. I use a lot of water when I'm painting too. I've never had an issue.

Elisa Amari

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I use MDF board for stretching watercolor paper.  I did coat it with a water based sealer, just so it would last longer.  I haven’t had any problems with it, just that it’s a little heavier than gator board.  I am trying a cheaper alternative using a piece of go-board which is water lightweight and waterproof, it’s very easy to cut to size with just a utility knife.  However, it has a fiberglass coating and I didn’t realize.  I am going to try and coat and the edges with a sealer. 
DSC04115

Lynda Green

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I use plywood sealed with polyurethane varnish.  My only issue is that it has a tendency to warp so you need to buy a fairly thick piece for a larger board.