Prepping masonite - alternatives to acrylic gesso?

I have, on several occasions, mentioned the substitution of acrylic house paint for acrylic gesso. The products I use is labeled '100 percent acrylic' and not 'acrylic latex.' The house paint works partularly well on solid surfaces, such as masonite, since it doesn't soak in like it does on canvas. But be sure the masonite surface is sanded down first with the coarsest sandpaper you can find in order to give as much tooth as possible before it is primed.

Acrylic latex may be just as good but I've never used it and can't recommend it.

What about the archival quality? Any ideas how this would hold up 100 years later? Canvas panels are definitely cheap & easy, but they're not archival. So I think masonite is the cheapest archival quality.

Rather a contradiction, it seems to me, wanting the 'cheapest' materials one can use and then suggesting they should be 'archival.' Whether or not anything painted in acrylic survives beyond one's lifetime is questionable since acrylics have not withstood the test of centuries and I have my doubts about any 'plastic' material lasting 'forever.'

You are throwing a little water on their desire for a small amount of immortality purchased with the cheapest of materials. Better too focus on the now and leave to a future patron the desire to prolong the life of your

Not a contradiction at all. I'm looking for the cheapest thing that is archival quailty. For just a little more I think it's worth it to have archival quality. No one wants my paintings now, so it's unlikely someone would want them in 100 years but you never know!!

The term for what you are talking about is 'size.' I have Robert Massey's book, Formulas for Artists. It gives several recipes for size, including some using animal glue and egg. I will be able to get to it in a couple of days. Then I will post some recipes, so you can choose which might be best for you.

That would be great. I really appreciate it.

'CASEIN SOLUTION FOR PANELS

PURPOSE: Hard and moisture resistant, casein solutions...are excellent for sizing...Masonite panels.

INGREDIENTS: Casein, powdered. Parts: 2; Water, Parts: 16; Ammonium Carbonate, Parts 1.

DIRECTIONS FOR MANUFACTURE: Buy freshly manufactured casein and avoid using old material, for casein loses strength with the years. Sift the casein slowly into half of the water, stirring to get rid of the lumps. When smooth, add the ammonium carbonate and stir; allow the mixture to stand for half an hour or more before you stire in the remaining water.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE: Plywood or wood panels need only sanding, but Masonite panels should be brushed liberally with alcohol and dried before applying the size. Brush the casein solution onto the panels, applying the solution to the front, back, and sides. When the size has dried thoroughly, use this same solution to make ...' the following gesso.

'CASEIN GESSO FOR PANELS AND CANVAS

PURPOSE: Casein gesso provides a very white and tough surface for any kind of paint, but particularly for casein paints.

INGREDIENTS: Casein solution (the size solution described above), Parts 9; Whiting, Parts 4; Zinc white, dry pigment, Parts 4.

DIRECTIONS FOR MANUFACTURE: Mix the dry pigments together thoroughly and add them slowly to the prepared casein solution. Strain this mixture through two layers of cheesecloth into a clean vessel.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE: Use unsized, untempered Masonite panels, or size them first with casein solution. Do not size with hide glue solution. Apply the gesso in thin coats with a brush, letting each coat dry for a half-hour or more, until four or five coats have been applied. Let the last coat dry overnight before sanding it lightly with No. 220 garnet paper. Be sure to stir the gesso frequently, for the pigment tends to settle rapidly.

This is also from Robt. Massey's book.

'GELATINE SOLUTION FOR PANELS

Gelatine glue solutions produce an extremely clear, transparent protective coat, and dissolve easily for quick preparation.

INGREDIENTS:

Leaf gelatine

Well, nothing will last 'forever', but plastics are not biodegradable, which gives them an advantage in terms of surviving a long time.

Slick

From what I've seen the plastic is much more expensive than Masonite.