Strange behaviour of Canada BalsamApproveRejectUn-ApproveSubscribeUn-Unsubscribe
Question asked 2023-02-07 07:52:57 ...
Most recent comment 2023-02-07 09:14:05
Drying Oils
Paint Mediums
Seems that first attempt wasn't uploaded well, so I'll try again;
I tried to make medium from refined linseed oil, low viscosity bodied
oil (45 poise) and canada balsam in proportions 60 % refined oil, 30 % bodied oil,
10 % canada balsam measured by volume. All three ingredients are clear
and transparent, but as I mixed them, the mixture became cloudy. Here is
the photo: 
01.jpg I'm not quite sure, but I suppose that it shouldn't behave like that... I then let it sit and over following four weeks, sort of sediment formed in the bottle: 02.jpg
At this point, I'm not sure whether it is usable... I'm certain, that this was caused by canada balsam; when I tried Kremer larch balsam instead of canada balsam with the same proportions (i.e. 60 % refined oil, 30 % bodied oil, 10 % larch balsam), the mixture remained clear. In both cases I mixed the ingredients in bottle placed in hot water.
Do you have any idea, what happened an why canada balsam behaves like this? What should I do to prevent it?
Ivan
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Moderator Answer
(brian baade)
First, I would be remiss if I did not mention the issues
about adding soft reins to oil paint. Your 10% would likely cause few issues
but please read the section on adding soft resins in our Myths,
FAQs, and Common Misconceptions section of our resources section.
Before assuming that your mixture is a failure, try the
following. Caution, under no circumstances heat a mixture containing
solvents (Canada balsam contains its natural essential oil and is flammable)
under direct heat.
Keep your jar of turbid medium in one room. Get a disposable
metal container that you can boil water in. In another room you heat to boiling
in this container (make sure that there is enough water to partially submerge your
container of medium but not so full as to get into the jar) BUT DO NOT PUT
THE MEDIUM IN THE WATER ON THE HEAT SOURCE. After the water is boiling
carefully move the container to another room and place the jar of medium in the
water to warm. You should have the lid just placed on the top of the jar and
not screwed on to avoid creating internal pressure.
This may or may not clarify the mixture. I have seen other
mixtures behave like this and have remedied this using the same method. If the
mixture clarifies but become turbid again after cooling I would not use the
medium.
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