Frequently Asked Questions

Q.WHY DO YOU USE PAPER BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE CLOTH/?

A. Paper is a good and quick absorber of water. Wood absorbs slowly.

When a coat of thin or thick mix is applied on the cloth, the water in the mix is quickly absorbed by the paper and a uniform drying takes place.

When paint is applied on the surface the water gets down to the paper quickly and the spread of the paint is uniform and does not leave patches.

Q. I GET CRACKS ON THE SURFACE AFTER THE BOARD IS PREPARED.

A.Any mix having water in it on drying will produce cracks. When we add gum to the mix the gum holds the particles together after the water dries up and that is why you do not get cracks.

Even if the ratio of chalk powder to gum is correct, because of excess water sometime in the gum can cause cracks. Adding a little extra gum to the mix will eliminate cracks.

Cracks on the surface is usually caused by following factors.
1. Quick drying of the surface in extreme temperature conditions in summer.
2. Inadequate gum in the mix causes cracks.
3. If the mix has not been well stirred a few thick particles of chalk powder will remain as solid and can cause cracks.
4. Quality of gum can also give you problems of cracks.

It is always better to follow the instructions carefully which will result in a good performance.

Q.THE BOARD WARPS AFTER FIXING THE CLOTH ON THE BOARD AND DRYING IT.

A. The board can warp due to the stresses of tightening the cloth over the board and fixing it with fevicol.
If the board is seasoned this may not happen.
To straighten the bend, place the board on a flat surface, place some heavy books or weight on the board ( with cloth side up ). Allow to remain overnight. The board will get back its normal flat surface.

Q. I GET LINES ON THE BOARD AFTER THE BRUSHING OF THE MIX ON THE BOARD
THE LINES ARE VISIBLE EVEN AFTER SMOOTHENING WITH SAND PAPER

A.Any brush will leave marks. The finer the brush the finer the lines.
You cannot avoid it completely.
The best solution is to make a small ball of soft cloth( the size of a modhak or kozukattai), dip the ball in the mix and spread the mix on the board, like a carpenter doing the polishing of your furniture.
The cloth will spread the mix uniformly on the board. You will need to dip several times to keep the ball wet.

Q. Sometimes a drop or two of the mix falls on the finshed board. Can I rub it.?
A. No. Do not touch it with your finger or brush, or else you will spoil the finished surface. Allow it dry and with a fine sand paper, rub it out.

Q. After drying the waste paper on which the board was placed for drying sticks to the board. How to avoid it ?

When the board is wet after applying the fevicol mix and fixing the cloth, place the board flat on the waste paper with the cloth side up. When it dries the paper on the rear side can still be removed as the rear side will l be semi dry. Then place the board to dry fully resting vertically on a wall or any other surface

If you have more questions please ask to get an answer.
CRACKS ON THE BOARD

While making the board with plywood or ready made board, some students have experienced cracks on the surface coating.

Cracks on the surface is caused by many factors.
5. Quick drying of the surface in extreme temperature conditions in summer.
6. Inadequate gum in the mix causes cracks.
7. If the mix has not been well stirred a few thick particles of chalk powder will remain as solid and can cause cracks.
8. Quality of gum can also give you problems of cracks.

It is always better to follow the instructions carefully which will result in a good performance.