: I would normally dampen the material to shrink it tight before painting it.
: Next time I'll try adding some borax to the water I use for the
: preliminary shrinking. Maybe a couple tablespoons to a gallon of water.
: Enough should soak into the fabric, and remain there, to give some mildew
: resistance, without affecting the adhesion of the caoting.

: Paul G. Jacobson

Hello everyone,

I need to know just how tight is "tight enough" for the canvas skin, and where the line is between "enough" and "too tight". Do you all feel it is necessary to 'shrink' the canvas using warm water and a sponge, as I have seen recommended?

Another question regarding the use of latex paint- I have seen several recommendations against using latex for canvas, based on the builders' feeling that the latex just will not penetrate into the weave of the canvas. I was wondering if the latex (it is thinned with water isn't it??) could not be thinned to a near-water state and then this might be used to shrink the canvas. Would this kill two birds with one stone-shrinking and adding the first penetrating coat at the same time?

Kelly