28 04 10 mouldy acrylics

[Scattykat]

Hi Acrlicisists, can anyone help?
I use lots of different media, sometimes I leave my acrylics for a couple of weeks in their stay wet palette, and more often than not they go mouldly, does anyone else get this prob?
And can anyone tell me how to prevent it?
Also, is it still ok to use the moist paint undrneath, or will thjis have a detrimental effect on the finished paintings? Kat

[idylbrush]

I have been reading that refrigeration is of some assistance but it is suggested to not put them in the household refrigerator....so a small studio refrigerator may be in order. (under 100.00)

In my personal opinion, I would throw out what was on the palette, clean everything with bleach water, put in a new sponge, paper, etc and start over.

Do you use distilled water? I might also suggest that to help resist mold growth.

[hunterpaul]

Originally Posted by idylbrush

I have been reading that refrigeration is of some assistance but it is suggested to not put them in the household refrigerator....so a small studio refrigerator may be in order. (under 100.00)

In my personal opinion, I would throw out what was on the palette, clean everything with bleach water, put in a new sponge, paper, etc and start over.

Do you use distilled water? I might also suggest that to help resist mold growth.

good answer, I just renew my paint also when they develop mould... Paul

[Scattykat]

Paul and Idylbrush, thanks for the advise, the mouldy ones look so horrid, I often chuck out the offending colours and renew too. But I try and salvage the least mouldy ones, which probably starts the rest of again. I hadn't thought of the bleach treatment, I shall flush the lot away and give it a go.
And theres generally a good supply of distilled water in the dehumidifier, now that won't have to go to waste... thanks.

[dances_with_oils]

Scatty, there was a discussion on the prevention of moulds and mildews here and my thoughts were here that might help you.

Bottom line is, if the paint has gone mouldy, chuck it. You risk introducing the spores into your work and they in turn may feed off the binders in the paint, dirt, additives and organic material such as the frame, canvas, paper.

One thing I do with left over paint (before it goes mouldy) is to scrape it into a clean jar and use it for underpainting and/or canvas washes. I also make acrylic tiles with my left over paint. I spread the paint over a glass plate, let it dry and then peel it off. I cut it up into shapes and use them on mosaic craft projects for the garden/deck.

[Bill_E]

Originally Posted by idylbrush

In my personal opinion, I would throw out what was on the palette, clean everything with bleach water, put in a new sponge, paper, etc and start over.

YES! The sponge will hold mold spores. It must be cleaned and sterilized. I have mold allergies and my stay-wet palettes were just about killing me. I found that the more air tight palette the less mold issues. Also, somewhere I read that putting a penny or two under the sponge helped so I tried that. It seemed to help, but proper cleaning of the sponge and frequent replacing of the paper probably did more.

Also dump the moldy paint...all of it. You don't want it on a painting anyway. Squeeze out only what you need to minimize waste.

[catman07]

I wonder if using the dehumidifier as a source of distilled water may be contributing to the problem? It's not the same as distilling from a process where water is boiled. Just a thought... no experience from this what so ever.

[BeeCeeEss]

Originally Posted by catman07

I wonder if using the dehumidifier as a source of distilled water may be contributing to the problem? It's not the same as distilling from a process where water is boiled. Just a thought... no experience from this what so ever.

I agree. There can be mold spores in the air that can collect on the evaporator coil of your dehumidifier and in the catch bucket or drain hose. I suggest you stick with the bottled, store-bought distilled water to be safe.

Beverly

[idylbrush]

Or get your own distiller. They are inexpensive and work. Been using one for years.

[Bill_E]

Even with sterile water, the sponge will hold what ever spores come in contact with it. Sterile water may not introduce spores, but it wouldn't kill them either. For what it's worth, I rinse my clean/disinfected sponge and wet it with boiled water.

[Scattykat]

thanks for all the info, I guess you just have to accept a certain amount of waste, tho 'dances with oils suggestion of 'spreading the unused paint on a glass tile sounds a neat idea. Chow, Kat

[texana6]

I have also heard that putting a penny (copper coin) on your wet palette before you seal it will also deter mould growth. I use store-bought distilled water and haven't had a problem so I cannot vouch for the copper coin idea one way or the other.

[OkeeKat]

I use a sealed tupperware container with my palatte a foam tray inside..I include a small old foam brush tip as a sponge Wet to hold moisture amd a PENNY on the bottom and I have never had any mold in my container.. and I've been using the same palatte for months!