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Re: blank on block out tubing

Don't know if the hint was directed this way.  Kevin Scanlan and I 
used to make a copper based ruby which would periodically strike in 
(reduce) as virtually black.  This is a hard process to control so we 
have had better luck just pulling tubes from Zimmer or Kugler glass.

I had some of the old stuff (about 8"). It was deepest shiney black.
 Though very interesting, I think it probably never panned out 
commercially because of the extra effort needed to get 
that precise perfect edge you need for a letter to look right. Paint 
hides a multitude of sins.

I haven't had a chance to try the water based block outs other than 
one from many years ago that sucked.  I played with acrylic enamel 
which goes on well but crackles over time.  Maybe water based 
lacquers are the way to go. 

It may be that block-out paint has caused more harm than mercury.
Before anyone jumps all over me for that statement, this is just 
based on what the stuff smells like both fresh (yum) and bombarded 
(double yum).  I have no technical data and certainly mercury is by far 
more dangerous. I just get a kick out of that word "non-flammable" 
on the label. It's like, oh okay, that's good.
  
John, I think has been happily using a non-toxic product.

Kenny



> >it was available probably in
> > the 1940's and hasn't seen any of it being advertised himself...
> > older neon books but nothing in recent times?
> 
> Rudi Stern had some of this (old) around, and I'm not sure whether 
> Howard Friedman (Mercury Neon, NYC) might have some squirreled away.  
> I'm =SO= sure that some others must also have some of this saved 
> somewhere...it's always appealed to me as a permanent, non-toxic 
> method of making sure that what you want seen is and what you don't 
> isn't.  
> 
> Someone with access to a furnace should pull some...hint, hint...
> 
> BB
> 
> 
Kenny Greenberg --  Neon - Scenic and Environmental Art  
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