GAC Polymers Index

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GAC Polymers Index

Mediums
GOLDEN GAC (short for Golden Artist Colors) Specialty Acrylic Polymers are based on 100% acrylic polymer emulsions. The GACs are useful as mediums or modifiers of acrylic paints. GACs can be blended with GOLDEN Acrylic Paints to extend the paint, regulate transparency, create glazes, increase gloss, reduce viscosity or improve adhesion and film integrity. The GAC polymers can also be used for binding pigment solids for various effects and surfaces. Unlike the other GOLDEN Mediums and Gels, GAC Acrylic Polymers have only a minimum amount of thickeners, levelers, defoamers and surfactants to ensure good film formation.

The consistency of the GAC polymers is very fluid and thinner than other GOLDEN Mediums. Since they do not have thickeners added, these polymers will reduce the thickness of most GOLDEN Acrylic Paints. GOLDEN Fluid Acrylics are slightly thicker than the GACs, but will be the color line least changed in viscosity with any addition of a GAC polymer.

Each GAC product represents a unique polymer that offers certain specific attributes. Therefore, each GAC will have its own unique benefits and applications. Refer to the individual product description of each GAC below to find the proper medium to use for a particular application.

Medium Properties / Size Chart / Technical Information & Application Sheets / Back to Index Page

GAC 100 Acrylic
A liquid acrylic polymer emulsion useful for diluting and extending colors as well as increasing flexibility and film integrity. Wets out solids more readily than other polymers and is useful for creating homemade paints.

GAC 200 Acrylic
A liquid acrylic polymer emulsion that is the hardest and least flexible of GOLDEN acrylics. Useful for increasing film hardness and reducing tack. Increases adhesion to non-porous surfaces; however some surfaces, such as glass and glazed tile, will not allow for a permanent bond. Used in its pure form, it is limited to applications on non-flexible supports. Generally recommend a maximum level of GAC 200 be 33% of the entire paint mixture.

GAC 400 Acrylic
A liquid acrylic polymer emulsion which dries to a hard, stiff film. When applied over a fabric support, such as cotton, linen or silk, the GAC 400 will serve to dramatically stiffen the support. This allows the artist to transform a lightweight fabric into a free-standing form that will hold its shape.

GAC 500 Acrylic
A liquid acrylic polymer emulsion with leveling ability, that forms a hard, glossy film. Useful for increasing film hardness and reducing tack, while maintaining flexibility. The hardest polymer that is suitable for flexible supports.

GAC 700 Acrylic
A liquid acylic polymer emulsion offering excellent film clarity, gloss, and reduced shrinkage. Useful for glaze applications. Exercise care to reduce foaming during application.

GAC 800 Acrylic
A liquid acrylic polymer emulsion that does not craze in pours/puddles. That is to say that it dries with the same uniform surface and dimensional integrity as when wet (other GACs will craze, developing shrinkage crevices running across the surface). Dries with good gloss and flexibility, but only moderate clarity. Useful to increase adhesion to chalky surfaces.

GAC 900 Acrylic
A liquid acrylic polymer emulsion which when heat-set offers a very soft hand and laundering stability. This product is most useful to artists painting on clothing. GAC 900 can be blended with various acrylic colors to produce fabric paints that can be airbrush, hand brush or screen applied. For a short video about this product click here