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Sealing domes
Sealing domes
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Karen
1 post
Jan 19, 2008
12:07 PM
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Hi everyone. I am hoping someone will give me some feeback. Does everyone seal the domes they create? If so what do you use? I have been woking with silicone and I find it very messy. All comments are welcomed. Thank you.
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americanrose2
1 post
Jan 20, 2008
10:53 AM
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Karen, I have found that the silcone sealing method is just too messy and too hard to reverse if you need to get back into the dome. The best product I have found is sold by Custom Display Designs. It is the "Foil Sealing Tape". Comes in a large roll and I split it down the center and find that width is just perfect. It easily sticks to the acrylic dome. I set up the backing board, mat board and dome and then apply the tape to the top (edge of the dome) then wrapping around all the layers. Next burnish all edges and voila! Takes very little time and is excellent for sealing out dust, etc. Also, the tape can be removed much easier than trying to get off silicone. And a note, I have heard that silicone gives off fumes when curing and that is not good for the freeze dried florals. Hope that helps u some.
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Karen
2 posts
Jan 21, 2008
6:17 AM
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Thank you americanrose2 for your informtion in sesling domes. Do you do the same for table top domes? If not, what do you use? Thanks again. Karen
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Mary P
6 posts
Jan 21, 2008
2:22 PM
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I use tub & tile caulk for sealing both wall frame/dome/backboard & for the glass(tabletop)dome to it's base. It is water based so does clean up or can be cut with a utility knife. Tub & tile caulks are available in squeeze tubes and if you check out the different brands you'll find those that have a long life & very little smell. I haven't found "outgassing" to be a problem. I place the frame on foam blocks, top down, & set the acrylic dome in. I then run a bead of caulk around. It comes out white but dries clear later. I have even used caulk to hold the matting to the board but most often use glue. When finished I put the designed backboard into the frame with the caulked dome & seal with white tub & tile caulk. If you need to open it again it cuts fairly easily & can be pulled out in strips.
For glass domes I used to run it in the groove for the dome but now prefer to place the dome & then run a small bead next to the dome, but still in the groove, of the clear caulk. I have found that a plastic syringe works best for this. If you need to remove it just put some very warm water in the groove & wait a few minutes. You can then twist & pull the dome off. I usually let it sit out overnight before resealing to make sure the water has evaporated out of the wood.
I also glue my foam down for designing but then go around the edge with the clear caulk to give extra hold. I also use it to hold some items in place. It dries "rubbery" & can often just be peeled away, but of course wouldn't be for a conservation piece.
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fdfloral
3 posts
Jan 22, 2008
12:13 PM
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Hi Karen, Last year at the IFDFA (International Freeze Dry Floral Association) Conference I learned from some of the ladies who have been in freeze drying for a very long time, that most do not seal the table top domes. I had no idea, we were also using very messy silicone and glues. I did have to break one open once. I have found that Cling (Floral Adhesive, I'm also a florist) sticky tape works very well. It is a roll of sticky gum that you can use a pea size ball and roll it along the edge of the glass dome in a few places. We then use cording to cover, it slides down into the grove of the wood base. It is very simple, reusable, clean and easy to remove. It keeps the dome in place. I prefer to have some seal insted of nothing at all. The tape is available at floral wholesale places. Hope this helps.
Jo "A Time To Remember Floral" 219-864-1947
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Rich48
3 posts
Feb 06, 2008
1:07 PM
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Karen, we also found sealing framed acrylic domes with silicone to be very messy. One of our clients told us about a special tape she was using. I called the company to find they no longer made the tape. However, with an order for several cases they custom made the tape for us.
It is a heavy clear vinyl with a great adhesive. It comes
in a 1 inch wide roll that is 36 yards long. To use it, just put a few short pieces from the edge of the dome around onto the foam backer. This just helps hold it together. Next, place the tape on the edge of the dome, mat, and backer board and pull gently. As the tape unrolls
it will wrap around the edges and completely seal the acrylic dome. It now takes us about 5 minutes to seal a dome and its very easy to get back into if necessary.
Since we have a lot of this tape I have decided to sell it.
Rich, fleur-CHEM, Inc. 623-977-8900
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