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Moderator Answer
(koo schadler)
Hi Eli,
Pinholes can occur at any point in the accumulation of gesso layers; I've seen a perfectly smooth surface, no pinholes, suddenly manifest pinholes in the final layer of gesso (sigh...). It's less usual that pinholes which occur in early layers do not persist into later layers, because once a pinhole appears it tends to continue into the upper layers (unless vigorously brushed out as soon as the pinholes appear, as described in the previous post). Still, it's perfectly possible you had pinholes in an underlying layer, not in the upper layer, and sanded down to them as you describe.
I know you already have the list below, but for the benefit of those who don't I'll paste some of the reasons pinholes appear in gesso panels. Be attentive to these concerns and you should be able to keep the pinhole population under control.
Best wishes from Koo
Causes of Pin Holes
1. Gesso is too hot. Never heat gesso above 135 degrees, about the temperature of tap water. Use a food thermometer if necessary. Keep gesso just warm enough to stay liquid (i.e. you can comfortably stick your finger into it).
2. Gesso is excessively mixed and agitated, causing air bubbles. Be careful in your preparations. Let gesso sit overnight (refrigerated) to let bubbles dissipate.
3. Gesso is squeezed through cheesecloth. Use a mesh strainer (less likely to generate air bubbles). Or, instead of straining, let gesso sit overnight (refrigerated) to come together.
4. Gesso is applied with sponge brush or air brush. Try alternative application method (brush; or, if gesso has solidified, trowel)
5. Gesso is applied too thickly. Apply thinly. Several thin coats will dry faster and be smoother than a single thick layer.
6. There is too great a temperature differential between the surface of the panel and the gesso; i.e. the panel is cool and the gesso is warm, or vice versa. Don't work in a cold space. Have panels sit overnight in the room in which you'll be working, to get them up to room temperature. Don't overheat gesso.
7. Waiting too long between layers, creating surface tension between the layers that encourages air bubbles. Apply next layer as soon as previous one is dry.
Other suggested remedies for pin holes:
- Add a flow-aid to gesso such as: Liquitex; 1 teaspoon sugar; or 2-4 ounces denatured alcohol.
- Vibrate panel as gesso is applied, to dissipate air bubbles.
- Let gesso cool and set up a bit, then apply with a trowel.