3M bumpers melting!!!!!

Thanks David.

Have a great weekend!
Mike
 
just rec'd this photo from a client asking advice...

meltingbumpons.jpg
 
just rec'd this photo from a client asking advice...

View attachment 40538
This makes me wonder about alternative non-chemically derived alternatives.
I'm seriously considering junking my brown bumpers after re-reading this thread.
Felt pads would be more stable than rubber or foam, I assume.

I almost feel like gluing cotton in the corners would be a more reliable choice?
Maybe make them out of thick cotton or wool batting?
Hand-made wouldn't look very professional though and would be far more costly than manufactured ones.:shrug:
 
This makes me wonder about alternative non-chemically derived alternatives.
I'm seriously considering junking my brown bumpers after re-reading this thread.
Felt pads would be more stable than rubber or foam, I assume.

I almost feel like gluing cotton in the corners would be a more reliable choice?
Maybe make them out of thick cotton or wool batting?
Hand-made wouldn't look very professional though and would be far more costly than manufactured ones.:shrug:
Don't consider.
Act now.

I will always replace the brown ones that I see.
The white ones seem to be okay, but I do not trust them.
We use the clear round ones (round because they fit Nielsen Hardware). The only problem we have it the adhesive failing in transit from shop to home.
The felt, and the cork ones also seem to be good.
 
The best way to deal with this is:
Replace the backing on the frame, and use felt or clear bumpers.
For the wall:
Physically scrape off as much as you possibly can, with something that has a good edge but not made of anything that would scratch the wall. An old credit card or hotel key card works well.
Use a mild solution of Dawn on a clean white cloth to wash off the residue. Make the cloth damp but not soaked, so it doesn't run down the wall.
If any residue remains, use isopropyl alcohol on a clean white cloth to remove it.

This technique seems to work well on most painted surfaces. If there is wallpaper, all bets are off.
:coffeedrinker2: Rick
 
The best way to deal with this is:
Replace the backing on the frame, and use felt or clear bumpers.
For the wall:
Physically scrape off as much as you possibly can, with something that has a good edge but not made of anything that would scratch the wall. An old credit card or hotel key card works well.
Use a mild solution of Dawn on a clean white cloth to wash off the residue. Make the cloth damp but not soaked, so it doesn't run down the wall.
If any residue remains, use isopropyl alcohol on a clean white cloth to remove it.

This technique seems to work well on most painted surfaces. If there is wallpaper, all bets are off.
:coffeedrinker2: Rick
Does it matter what type of paint was used?
 
It certainly could. If in doubt, test the procedure in an inconspicuous area painted with the same paint.
:popc: Rick
 
Judging by the mats, it might need some updated looks :)

I have, fortunately, never used the brown bumpons. I have always used the clear ones and so far, so good. I had felt ones on one of my framed pieces (framed elsewhere years ago) and the felt (black) made marks on the wall, like black paint.
 
In order to eliminate all risk of vinyl bumpers melting - regardless of color - you could use small pieces of scrap matboard as bumpers; stack two layers of 4-ply board together and glue them to the dustcover. Colored matboard is not a problem - just put the colored sides together in the stack. The surface of matboard bumpers would be kind to any wall.

While the material is free (scrap), there is some labor involved. But if you have a CMC, you can cut a hundred 3/8" and 1/2" circles or squares with beveled edges in a matter of minutes.

Easy Peasy...
Drawing-Matboard Bumpers.jpg


And as long as you have scrap matboard, you'll never run out of bumpers. :thumbsup:
 
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Years ago I bought a huge quantity of dense white foam rubber octgonal bumpers. After a couple of years I ran out of them and never found them again. They were great - stuck really well, fit metals, and did not discolor (the clear ones turn yellow eventually). And the last roll of black round ones I bought did not stick to anything.

So I am now using the too big squishy brown felt ones from LJ (cut in half for metals) and I have a small precious hoard of the nice dense grey felt ones from who knows where. I also have some too thin really small dark brown felt ones - that look ridiculous on any frame larger than an 8 x 10.

The grey ones are my Goldilocks bumpers - not too big, not too small - just right!

Anyone know where to find these?
 
Years ago I bought a huge quantity of dense white foam rubber octgonal bumpers. After a couple of years I ran out of them and never found them again. They were great - stuck really well, fit metals, and did not discolor (the clear ones turn yellow eventually). And the last roll of black round ones I bought did not stick to anything.

So I am now using the too big squishy brown felt ones from LJ (cut in half for metals) and I have a small precious hoard of the nice dense grey felt ones from who knows where. I also have some too thin really small dark brown felt ones - that look ridiculous on any frame larger than an 8 x 10.

The grey ones are my Goldilocks bumpers - not too big, not too small - just right!

Anyone know where to find these?
I am intrigued by the octagons, but unsure of a source.
I have not seen yellowing on the clear round ones we get. They are full hemisphere ones, not round and flat. They may get a matte finish over the years, but not yellow in my experience.

I have not investigated Felt ones, though I probably should.

I have seen a few (probably rubber) that include a recessed nail that would be useful for canvas or other non paper finishes.
 
I have seen a few (probably rubber) that include a recessed nail that would be useful for canvas or other non paper finishes.
I still have some bumper tacks that I bought from the old United Mfrs. Supplies. They are white plastic with a brass nail embedded.
:cool: Rick
 
After UMS closed, and I couldn't get those tacking black bumpers, I googled the heck out of it and found the company that makes them and bought 4,000.

Am on my second 4,000 now.

Still use the clear round bumpies for the metals and small frames.
 
OK. This is a totally new one for me.

I have all of my beloved kitties ashes in little receptacles - oak boxes, cedar boxes, urns, etc.

My beloved Sidi and his sister Lili are in really nice oak boxes which are sealed from the bottom with screws (obviously not meant to be opened) and they had attached 3/8" clear domed bumpons. I have these two boxes stacked on a shelf. Went to dust them today and when I picked up the top box the bottom box came with it.

The bumpons had melted and glued it fast to the top of the second box.

Why the bottom box's bumpons did not melt into the wooden shelf is beyond me - but maybe they realized they had a problem and changed the bumpons in the two years between his passing in 2009 and hers in 2011.

I don't know but I have one sticky gluey awful mess to try and remover from the top of Lili's box without ruining the beautiful wood finish..

And I am going to replace the bumpons with felt.
 
Update: Goo Gone had no affect at all but but isopropyl alcohol did the trick.

Add it to your bag of tricks, folks.
 
OK. This is a totally new one for me.

I have all of my beloved kitties ashes in little receptacles - oak boxes, cedar boxes, urns, etc.

My beloved Sidi and his sister Lili are in really nice oak boxes which are sealed from the bottom with screws (obviously not meant to be opened) and they had attached 3/8" clear domed bumpons. I have these two boxes stacked on a shelf. Went to dust them today and when I picked up the top box the bottom box came with it.

The bumpons had melted and glued it fast to the top of the second box.

Why the bottom box's bumpons did not melt into the wooden shelf is beyond me - but maybe they realized they had a problem and changed the bumpons in the two years between his passing in 2009 and hers in 2011.

I don't know but I have one sticky gluey awful mess to try and remover from the top of Lili's box without ruining the beautiful wood finish..

And I am going to replace the bumpons with felt.
I would guess that the melting was a result of an interaction between the bumpon material and the finish applied to the box. the finish on the shelf below was probably a different material, and so no adverse interaction.
 
The best way to deal with this is:
Replace the backing on the frame, and use felt or clear bumpers.
For the wall:
Physically scrape off as much as you possibly can, with something that has a good edge but not made of anything that would scratch the wall. An old credit card or hotel key card works well.
Use a mild solution of Dawn on a clean white cloth to wash off the residue. Make the cloth damp but not soaked, so it doesn't run down the wall.
If any residue remains, use isopropyl alcohol on a clean white cloth to remove it.

This technique seems to work well on most painted surfaces. If there is wallpaper, all bets are off.
:coffeedrinker2: Rick
I just wanted to add that another item that you could use to scrape residue off a painted wall would be one of those square laminate samples you can find in the kitchen remodeling section of Home Depot type stores.
:popc: Rick
 
Well, I had some clear bumpers in a drawer so started using them a few days ago.
Then yesterday this happened...
CM211213-155253001.jpg

The adhesive layer separated from two of the bumpers on a sheet.
I don't know what brand these are. They are fairly stiff, not rubbery.

I don't know if they are poor-quality bumpers, or old ones, or what.
If they are old ones, then that means it is likely that even when installed as new, the adhesive layer will eventually lose its bond with the bumper while on a hanging frame.
Which is worse; brown bumpers that melt and make a mess, or clear bumpers that may just fall off at any time?

Once again I'm leaning toward felt pads. I presume they are more chemically stable than rubber/plastic bumpers but don't actually know.
How do felt pads age over time? Do they get brittle or stiff? Does the adhesive stay attached?
Has anyone here used them for long enough to have observed the long-term qualities of felt pads?

What's the consensus on white foam bumpers/pads?
Does the foam deteriorate over time?
I don't know why but I have an aversion to foam and felt pads, it's probably just an aesthetic thing, which I can get over if they are more reliable.
I do use foam pads on smaller metal frames, and occasionally on small wood frames.

Foam and felt pads are far less costly than any of the rubber/plastic bumpers, which is another consideration.
 
Once again I'm leaning toward felt pads. I presume they are more chemically stable than rubber/plastic bumpers but don't actually know.
How do felt pads age over time? Do they get brittle or stiff? Does the adhesive stay attached?
Has anyone here used them for long enough to have observed the long-term qualities of felt pads?
My experience with felt pads is that the felt itself remains unchanged for a pretty long time, i.e. 10-15 years. I would GUESS that it will stay that way almost forever.

I have also had no issues with failing adhesive over the same time period.

HOWEVER, the application is not in framing, but on furniture feet/legs. I don't think that changes the longevity of the felt itself, but with the constant weight it probably makes the adhesive bond quite a bit stronger than what you will get on the back of a frame.

Then, too, there must be 100 different types of felt and types of adhesive, as well as quality control in the application thereof.

IOW, I would take my observations with a healthy dose of Himalayan Pink salt. Preferably freshly ground.
 
I don't know why but I have an aversion to foam and felt pads, it's probably just an aesthetic thing, which I can get over if they are more reliable.
I always thought those white foam ones were cheesy looking. Since abandoning the Bumpons when the melting phenomenon arose, I've had good luck with the large brown felt pads from LJ, and clear dome style bumpers from Omega for metals.
:cool: Rick
 
There are two reasons to use bumpers on the bottom corners of a frame:

1. To pad the contact points of the frame with the wall, preventing marks.

2. To maintain an air gap of at least 1/8" between the frame and the wall, so that air can circulate behind the frame. Since most modern HVAC systems use floor outlets and return-air vents near the ceiling, air naturally flows up and down wall surfaces. If the flow of air is impeded, then the area of dead air behind the frame becomes a place for dust and insects to accumulate. Also, if a particular wall has a moisture problem, then circulating the air behind frames is even more important.

Felt bumpers usually go flat under constant pressure and seldom maintain the recomended 1/8" air gap.
 
I use clear dome shaped bumpons and have not experienced any problems with adhesive failing.
None of my framed art at home or in the ship seems to have missing bumpons.

I'd prefer the missing one over the melting mess one, it's an easy fix.

I don't like felt. Without any particular reason, but now that Jim has provided one, I will stick with the no felt! Thanks Jim. LOL
 
I always thought those white foam ones were cheesy looking. Since abandoning the Bumpons when the melting phenomenon arose, I've had good luck with the large brown felt pads from LJ, and clear dome style bumpers from Omega for metals.
:cool: Rick
HEADS UP! LJ's 5/8" Brown Felt bumper pads (Item# 25213) have completely changed. They are on a different backing sheet, and are a different color of brown. Unfortunately, the new ones are TERRIBLE. The felt pads come off the adhesive with very little effort. I'm sending these back for a refund.

Anyone have a recommendation for a replacement source. I like the felt pads (as long as they are thick enough and have a reliable adhesive, both of which were true of the OLD ones from LJ).

:coffeedrinker2: Rick
 
I just took this pic of a frame I made for myself a long time ago.
Bumper creep.
20240925_230433.webp

20240925_230459.webp

My best guess is the adhesive had failed at some point, and each time i straightened the photo it was moving the bumper a wee bit until it peeked out the bottom edge.
But the rubber itself isn't melting.
 
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