In honour of our Medium MADNESS sale, we thought we would introduce everyone to the much-loved GAC Acrylic Polymer range of acrylic mediums from GOLDEN.
Standing for “Golden Acrylic Colours”, each GAC represents a unique polymer that offers specific attributes including extending paint, regulating transparency, creating glazes, increasing gloss, altering viscosity and even binding pigments for various effects (amongst others).
Unlike other GOLDEN Mediums, GAC Acrylic Polymers offer a thinner, more fluid application with a minimum amount of thickeners, levellers, defoamers and surfactants, ensuring good film formation.
The GAC Range
GAC 100: Primer & Extender
One of the most universally used polymers in paint manufacturing, the GAC 100 is a thin, translucent, gloss medium most useful for diluting or extending colours.
Able to wet out solids more readily than other polymers, GAC 100 offers a moderate level of tack, increased flexibility, a glossy finish and basic protection from Support Induced Discoloration (SID).
GAC 200: Extender (for non-porous surfaces)
The least flexible of the GAC range, GAC 200 is an ideal acrylic colour additive that reduces dry film tack whilst increasing film hardness & adhesion to many non-porous surfaces.
Drying to a clear, high gloss finish, GAC 200 is recommended for use with non-flexible supports as its lack of flexibility can lead to cracking if flexed.
GAC 400: Fabric Stiffener
Designed for priming & stiffening fabrics or textiles, GAC 400 is useful for unprimed canvases, along with sculpting or shaping hardened fabric as fibres saturated with GAC 400 will dry to a hard, stiff film.
GAC 400 can even be used as a rabbit skin alternative when applied to raw canvas (along with a following three coats of gesso, to protect natural fibres from oil penetration).
GAC 500: Gloss Extender (for Fluid Acrylics)
Particularly useful for extending GOLDEN Fluid Acrylics, GAC 500 offers a unique balance of film hardness & flexibility that increases levelling & mar resistance, whilst decreasing film tack.
GAC 500 is a self-levelling, versatile polymer ideal for use on either flexible or rigid supports & dries to a high gloss finish with excellent clarity / transparency.
GAC 900: Heat-Set Fabric Painting Medium
GAC 900 allows acrylic colours to be used on clothing, providing excellent adhesion with a soft, pliable feel stable enough for multiple washes.
Even able to produce tie-dye effect, GAC 900 can be blended with GOLDEN’s Heavy Body, SoFlat or Fluid Acrylics for brush or screen application.
Applications
Mixing
As a rule, GAC Polymers should be gently stirred or rocked back & forth before use, never shaken.
This avoids a significant build-up of foam, which is not only very difficult to eliminate, but severely affects the transparency of your film, causing a foggy or hazy quality. To avoid this whilst brushing, use minimal agitation & force, being sure not to overwork the polymer.
Spraying
As a testament to their versatility, GAC polymers can even be blended with GOLDEN Airbrush Medium for smooth, artist-quality spray applications (starting at 2 parts GAC / 1 part Airbrush Medium).
Varnish
GAC polymers are intended for use as binders, modifiers or additives to acrylic paints & don’t function as a final varnish.
