Ferrotype Glazing issue.

Beeswax and turpentine polish. Homemade?

I wonder if the original formula used artists genuine turpentine. Not the turpentine substitute we get in DIY shops. Two different things altogether.
Artists genuine turpentine can be had in small bottles, Winsor and Newton is a name to look for.
Art shops stock genuine and substitute, so make sure you get the right stuff.

It's only a guess and may not be the answer.

Good Luck, and if you do crack the problem, I might dig out my old Photax Flat Bed out of the loft.

Decades ago (actually half a century ago) I had the use of a large flat bed dryer with glazing plate while its owner didn't need it. He was a very accomplished photographer. I had success in glazing 8x10 and 12x16 prints, and received praise from various people.
Later, I had to buy my own. It was a new Photax unit with glazing plate. I could not successfully glaze a print with it. I tried various procedures (many now forgotten) and I gave up.
My take on this is that the plate has to be "just right" however that is done. Kodak recommended a certain aloxite metal polish of extreme fineness and stated that no other polish would do. I don't have that printed material now.

BobUK said:

Beeswax and turpentine polish. Homemade?

I wonder if the original formula used artists genuine turpentine. Not the turpentine substitute we get in DIY shops. Two different things altogether.
Artists genuine turpentine can be had in small bottles, Winsor and Newton is a name to look for.
Art shops stock genuine and substitute, so make sure you get the right stuff.

It's only a guess and may not be the answer.

Good Luck, and if you do crack the problem, I might dig out my old Photax Flat Bed out of the loft.

Click to expand...

Hi Bob,
Yes I used the artists turpentine and some beeswax to make polish. A simple recipe from an old book!
I’m just using the plate, not a heated press with an apron. The print releases okay, it just pitted. I’m going to submerge both paper and plate in the release solution and try that next.