Dent in wood

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Emibub

Emibub

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Nov 2, 2001
Posts
9,246
Loc
Centennial, CO, USA
I have a very smooth finish black wood frame that has a slight dent in it. I had heard somewhere that you could take a syringe and shoot water under the surface to swell up the dent. I have syringe in hand (used to have a cat with diebetis)does anybody know the technique? Or any other good ideas would be appreciated. The gentleman wants to pick up the order today of course! Thanks!

Kathy
Out on a Whim custom Framing
 
I have pulled minor dents out of wood moulding with a damp cloth and a tacking iron. I lay the damp cloth over the dented area and apply just the tip of the tacking iron to the cloth over the dent. The steam from the damp cloth will penetrate the wood and sometimes swell the wood fibers enough to draw out the dent.

If the fibers of the wood are torn this may not work well. If the finish is laquered black finish the steam and heat may discolor or dull the finish. But, your customer has a dent now. Any improvement will be more than what is there now.

Sometimes, if the finish is a matte black, you can get the job done with little or no appearance changes but there is no guarantee as you are not using a precise operation for removing the dent.

Hope this helps.

Framerguy
 
Kathy, I've had some success (and some spectacular failures) with holding a damp cloth against the dent and pressing on it with a very hot tacking iron. This kinda steams it from the outside and swells the wood. A steam iron might work in a pinch. It sounds like you're in a pinch.

It might remove the dent, but there's a good chance it'll trash the finish as well.

If that doesn't work, beat on the frame with a chain to distress the whole thing. Tell him there's no extra charge for the frame modification (this time.)

As a last resort, even if the moulding or chop arrive at my shop dented, I would tell the customer that I messed up and will have to recut or reorder. Otherwise it sounds like you're making excuses even when you're not.

Ron
 
Am I going to spend the rest of my life one step behind framerguy? Geez!

We HAVE to stop meeting like this, Tom!

Ron
 
Okay, since you both said steam I'll heat up the iron right now. I tried the iron w/no results. So maybe steam will make the difference. I'll bet the syringe thing would have required heat also. You guys must be twin sons from different mothers, you posted almost the same answer. It really is a small dent, possibly not even noticeable to the "untrained eye". I'll let you know if the finish peels off! This is sure to turn into one of those things that just keeps getting bigger and bigger. thanks!

Kathy
Out on a Whim Custom Framing
 
"Super Water" is a 50/50 mixture of alcohol and purified water. Pierce the area a few times with a sharp needle. Drop a few drops of super water on it, let it sit. It takes about 20 minutes or so. It may or may not work on your piece as it depends on the finish and the hardness of the wood. Be sure to check this as you go along. You can overswell the area.

Credit for this "super water" plan goes to Jim Miller, but I have done it and it does work.
 
Originally posted by AnneL:
Does this make me FGII and Ron's sister?!!!
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No. That would require that you post the same answer within 10 minutes of one of us.

You're off the hook this time, Anne.

The really funny thing is that I don't remember ever reading or hearing about the tacking iron and damp cloth trick. It sounds like at least three framers - probably many more - have arrived at the same hit-and-miss solution independently.

What's the old theory about putting enough monkeys in front of enough typewriters long enough and they'll eventually rewrite everything that's ever been written?
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Bonzo
 
Mel, I used your method. I think it would have worked fairly well but I broke the needle. I think this wood is ramin, it is pretty hard. I used a regular dressmakers pin and it has left a bit of a hole. I took care of that with putty. Between the steam and the needle and the alcohol I think it is more than passable. It will probably sit waiting to be picked up this afternoon, and I will open it up to find some sort of big swollen boil in the place of the dent!In which case I will use Ron's suggestion of a chain and hammer. I know I could call the customer and reorder this frame but it is just the principle of the thing. You get it all built assembled and ready to wrap and then there's this dent. Thanks for all advice!

Kathy
Out on a Whim Custom Framing
 
Kathy,
You could always hold your finger appropriately over the dent when displaying the finished piece to the customer.

After they ohhh and ahhh wrap it up in kraft paper
and when they get it home and see the dent, blame it on them! Make em pay for a new frame :D
 
Jerry, The thought passed my mind,in my not too distant past I would have considered it, but this is my store, it is too early in my venture here to pull a fast one! I used to consider the behavior of the customer to determine my treatment towards them. I have not had any negative customers here yet, it has given me the opportunity to reconsider the general public at large.
Art Lady, if the frame spontaneously weeps I'll be on the phone to the Enquirer! I feel a song coming on......."While my black frame gently weeps".

Kathy
Out on a Whim Custom Framing
 
Jerry, the chemist inside you must have been dozing. I'm shocked that you didn't pick up on the "super-water" deal.

I remember having to study the whole idea of surface tension, capillary pressure, ad infinitum ad nauseum.
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Naturally, the issue of surfactants and the lower surface tension of alcohol compared to water (which of course we discovered by having inconsistent titration results) :mad: Anyway..... making a surfactant of alcohol and water is a good application of a very DRY theory, Jim Miller. :D
 
Originally posted by emibub:
Mel, I used your method.
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What??? 2 1/2 great minds suggest a damp cloth with a tacking iron and practically guarantee a 50/50 chance of success and you go with <u>Mel's</U> idea?

Framerguy and Anne, I think we know what our advice is worth here. Let's go back to Warped where we're appreciated (or at least tolerated.)

Ron

And, yeh, what <u>would</U> happen if you dampened the cloth with Super Water (or maybe Holy Water) - perhaps from a syringe - and steamed it with a tacking iron?
 
Ron, I used a combined method including yours, Mel provided the info on the syringe method which I was originally looking for. I did use the iron and wet cloth and I think by the time I was done the cloth also had the super water on it also. It all actually worked as a joint effort. And somehow I think I managed to baptise it in the process, so I may have found the combination for holy water by accident. The frame healed up like a good little soldier and is now in the loving arms of it's rightful owner. Now as long as the frame doesn't plump up in the middle of the night and start leaking water I'd say it was a complete success. That's what I like about the Grumble, it is immediate and you can see the results of everybody's combined contribution!
Kathy
Out on a Whim Custom Framing
 
Ron!

Get your hands off your keyboard and read Kathy's earlier post:

Okay, since you both said steam I'll heat up the iron right now. I tried the iron w/no results. So maybe steam will make the difference.
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Now, quit pouting. There's no way I will ever be able to beat you to a response to anyone's post. Sheeesh. :rolleyes:
 
And remember, Kathy. If your customer calls you tomorrow and complains that your frame isn't housebroken and it stained his carpet, it was Jim Miller's idea!

Ron
 
We wet a paper towel and take our tacking iron and steam the moulding up. If the dent is not to deep this works, if the surface is shiney we spray with a gloss spray, does the trick
 
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