Resolved Fix Moisture/dust spot on Framed Picture

[TruthSeeker]

Hi, I just framed a picture using a frame bought on etsy. Unfortunately, I already have a small brownish spot on top of the picture. Not sure what caused it but I kept it in my closet overnight so maybe the moisture from the master bath? No idea. My question is how do I get rid of it? How can I protect my picture from dust and moisture?
Any help/suggestion is appreciated. I've posted two pictures of the frames for reference. Please zoom in and look at the top portion of the picture for the spot.
Thanks!

 

[wpfay]

It does look like moisture wicked around the glass and into the poster.
It is probably a permanent stain at this point.
Matting over the area, or replacing the poster will likely be a less expensive fix than getting the stain removed by a conservator.

 

[JFeig]

Or a stain from moisture condensation from a high humidity environment. In reality, basically the same thing.

 

[Jim Miller]

As noted above, it looks like moisture wicked under the glass edge. Mildew develops quickly, because the inside of a frame is a dead-air environment - no circulation. Once introduced to the interior, humidity escapes very slowly, if at all.

Adding a window mat seems like the best solution, not only to cover the damage, but also to prevent possible damage from abrasion and condensation.

Direct contact of the glass on the paper might have contributed to the issue, or maybe not. In any case, the glass should always be separated from the surface of the art, because it condenses moisture readily in dew-point conditions (quick temperature change when humidity is present).

 

[Shayla]

Hi, TruthSeeker. Welcome to the Grumble!

If this is a Mother's Day gift, and you have no way to get a new mat, you could try covering the flaw. Maybe you could buy some flat lace trim, then attach it to the mat, all around the outside. If it's wide enough, it would just cover that spot. Kind of a crazy idea, but it would hide it, and she might like it. If you do, it might be a good idea to remove the damaged surface, as like Jim said, it could potentially mildew. It sure is a bummer, when this kind of thing happens, and I hope it works out well for you.

Since we're here, I'll share something about glazing. (If you already know this, sorry for the repeat.) Basically, glass and acrylic have two levels of protection. Regular filters about 40% of UV light, whereas conservation filters 99%. Anything can fade over time, and not just from that extra UV. Heat can cause fading, as can all the other light in the spectrum. The quality of the media also affects fade. If art on paper uses a pigment-based media, it lasts better. If it lacks pigment, (i.e. a dye-based ink, or low-quality watercolor), it is prone to fading. It's likely that this frame had regular quality glazing, so if you keep it, it'll last longer if kept out of sunlight. Also, away from fluorescent lights. If you have anything that you'd like to protect as well as possible, custom frame shops have conservation glazing. It comes in clear, which has good detail and reflections, as well as museum finish. Museum is not for steamy bathrooms or kitchens, as the finish is more delicate. It costs more, but is wonderful, because it has very few reflections. And lastly, if you ever want to super protect something from moisture, find a framer who uses MarvelSeal. They can hide that inside the fitting, so humidity doesn't get in. Thanks for taking time to read this, and wishing you a lovely May!

 

[TruthSeeker]

As noted above, it looks like moisture wicked under the glass edge. Mildew develops quickly, because the inside of a frame is a dead-air environment - no circulation. Once introduced to the interior, humidity escapes very slowly, if at all.

Adding a window mat seems like the best solution, not only to cover the damage, but also to prevent possible damage from abrasion and condensation.

Direct contact of the glass on the paper might have contributed to the issue, or maybe not. In any case, the glass should always be separated from the surface of the art, because it condenses moisture readily in dew-point conditions (quick temperature change when humidity is present).

Thanks for your suggestion. I had no idea that artwork should be separated from the glass to prevent condensation, I'll remember that from now on.
I'll purchase one now.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Hi, TruthSeeker. Welcome to the Grumble!

If this is a Mother's Day gift, and you have no way to get a new mat, you could try covering the flaw. Maybe you could buy some flat lace trim, then attach it to the mat, all around the outside. If it's wide enough, it would just cover that spot. Kind of a crazy idea, but it would hide it, and she might like it. If you do, it might be a good idea to remove the damaged surface, as like Jim said, it could potentially mildew. It sure is a bummer, when this kind of thing happens, and I hope it works out well for you.

Since we're here, I'll share something about glazing. (If you already know this, sorry for the repeat.) Basically, glass and acrylic have two levels of protection. Regular filters about 40% of UV light, whereas conservation filters 99%. Anything can fade over time, and not just from that extra UV. Heat can cause fading, as can all the other light in the spectrum. The quality of the media also affects fade. If art on paper uses a pigment-based media, it lasts better. If it lacks pigment, (i.e. a dye-based ink, or low-quality watercolor), it is prone to fading. It's likely that this frame had regular quality glazing, so if you keep it, it'll last longer if kept out of sunlight. Also, away from fluorescent lights. If you have anything that you'd like to protect as well as possible, custom frame shops have conservation glazing. It comes in clear, which has good detail and reflections, as well as museum finish. Museum is not for steamy bathrooms or kitchens, as the finish is more delicate. It costs more, but is wonderful, because it has very few reflections. And lastly, if you ever want to super protect something from moisture, find a framer who uses MarvelSeal. They can hide that inside the fitting, so humidity doesn't get in. Thanks for taking time to read this, and wishing you a lovely May!

Thank you! This is such a useful forum for all things framing, I'm glad I found it! This is supposed to be a gift for my neighbor who's from Alabama, her birthday is May 27th. I think the glass I have is regular, I should've asked for museum quality glass. Thanks for letting me know about conservation glazing and MarvelSeal. Will keep that in mind for framing family keepsakes.
But currently I don't have it in my budget to take it an expert. So what are your suggestions to get rid of it and/or prevent further moisture damage. I'll let my neighbor know that the frame should be kept away from the kitchen and bath.
Thanks so much again and have a wonderful Summer!

 

[Shayla]

Thank you! This is such a useful forum for all things framing, I'm glad I found it! This is supposed to be a gift for my neighbor who's from Alabama, her birthday is May 27th. I think the glass I have is regular, I should've asked for museum quality glass. Thanks for letting me know about conservation glazing and MarvelSeal. Will keep that in mind for framing family keepsakes.
But currently I don't have it in my budget to take it an expert. So what are your suggestions to get rid of it and/or prevent further moisture damage. I'll let my neighbor know that the frame should be kept away from the kitchen and bath.
Thanks so much again and have a wonderful Summer!

What a lovely gift. I'm smiling; because a friend just told me she's moving to Alabama. She's looking forward to being back among friends and family. As for the moisture damage, what the guys said is accurate. So far as I know, there isn't an easy way to remove a liquid stain from mat board. Conservatory can bleach paper, but bleaching this would affect the mat color. If you leave as is, the stain might stay as is, or it might develop mildew. I suppose that, if you're crafty, you could try taking it apart, letting it dry out. Then wrapping the mat in a pretty fabric. Then fabric. It might be tricky with the angled cuts, but it could turn out looking great.

As for protecting art from humidity, Marvel Seal is definitely the best. But, if you don't have access, maybe you could put something else inside the back of the fitting. Behind the mat and frame core, you could put either another piece of glass (or ACM/Dimond, or coroplast)Coloplast, then run scotch tape all around the edges, holding all the layers together. This shouldn't be done on valuable art, but for something decorative, it might help. And, if you stick around the Grumble, I'd pay special attention to posts by the guys above. They have a wealth of knowledge, and Jim has written some great books on framing objects, encapsulation, etc...

 

[TruthSeeker]

Thank you, I'm sure your friend will love being back in Alabama.. everyone from there can't wait to go back. Well, guess what? I ordered a new print since I've never dabbled in crafts, I was afraid I might mess up trying to fix it. I just hope it gets here before May 27th. Not to sound like a dummy but I'm not sure how I should tape it so I'll watch a video on YouTube. What do you mean by ACM / Dimond? Is it coloplast moisture barrier cream, sorry I'm confused?
Thank you for the very useful tips! I certainly will check the Grumble often to get expert advice from all you professionals.

 

[Shayla]

Thank you, I'm sure your friend will love being back in Alabama.. everyone from there can't wait to go back. Well, guess what? I ordered a new print since I've never dabbled in crafts, I was afraid I might mess up trying to fix it. I just hope it gets here before May 27th. Not to sound like a dummy but I'm not sure how I should tape it so I'll watch a video on YouTube. What do you mean by ACM / Dimond? Is it coloplast moisture barrier cream, sorry I'm confused?
Thank you for the very useful tips! I certainly will check the Grumble often to get expert advice from all you professionals.

Sorry, for the confusion. That's what I get for trying to post from a phone. I meant to say ACM/Dibond or Coroplast, but my phone autocorrected to other words. The first is an inert metallic sheet, and Coroplast is a fluted plastic sheet. You probably don't need to try tracking them down. I forgot to say that a few times, when folks had small things for bathrooms and didn't want MarvelSeal, I put another piece of glass in the back of the frame and taped the edges, so the glass and mat, foam etc... was sealed by tape on both sides. This is totally not a conservation treatment, and not for anything of value, but have done it a few times.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Sorry, for the confusion. That's what I get for trying to post from a phone. I meant to say ACM/Dibond or Coroplast, but my phone autocorrected to other words. The first is an inert metallic sheet, and Coroplast is a fluted plastic sheet. You probably don't need to try tracking them down. I forgot to say that a few times, when folks had small things for bathrooms and didn't want MarvelSeal, I put another piece of glass in the back of the frame and taped the edges, so the glass and mat, foam etc... was sealed by tape on both sides. This is totally not a conservation treatment, and not for anything of value, but have done it a few times.

Cool, thank you! Autocorrect does some crazy spellings.. You've been so helpful!! Can't thank you enough for your suggestions.

 

[Shayla]

Cool, thank you! Autocorrect does some crazy spellings.. You've been so helpful!! Can't thank you enough for your suggestions.

Glad to be of help. Wishing you a great week!