Does Unstik Damage Acrylic Paint?

Shayla

Shayla

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Painting on heavy watercolor paper (30 x 44") was stuck down with strips of 969 ATG tape along the edges of the back.
I hesitate to apply heat warm enough to melt it, as that might damage the paint, and make the paper absorb more of the adhesive. Am thinking of using Unstik, but only if it wouldn't damage the paint. I also hope that, if I used it, all flammability would disappear, after evaporation. Wouldn't want their painting to ignite, if the sun hits it.

If you're chuckling right now, that's fine. Thanks, for any helpful replies. :)
 
I would think that some of the gum adhesive would go into solution and wick into the paper with the solvent.
Have you consulted a paper conservator?
Have you tried physical removal by rolling it up on itself?
In the event the client doesn't want conservation treatment, the adhesive can be isolated by sticking strips of Mylar to it until such time it can be conserved. The ATG can still have effects on the watercolor paper, but available oxygen will be reduced.
 
A non-chemical approach, but more time consuming, would be to use an old fashion rubber cement crape eraser to mechanically remove the adhesive.
My experience with removing this type of adhesive is to use as little as possible, just enough to swell it up and not enough to have it be absorbed into the paper.
 
I like Wally's suggestion of just covering the adhesive with strips of mylar, unless the customer is prepared to pay you at least as much as they would pay a conservator to remove it. If you do have to remove it, I second the crepe eraser method Jerry suggested, as I could see the solvent making a bigger mess than what is already there. This process could take multiple hours on a piece that size, and be a real PITA... (see my first sentence).
:cool: Rick
 
JFeig said:
A non-chemical approach, but more time consuming, would be to use an old fashion rubber cement crape eraser to mechanically remove the adhesive.
My experience with removing this type of adhesive is to use as little as possible, just enough to swell it up and not enough to have it be absorbed into the paper.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your note. It came in, already attached to foam core, by this method. The top was half-loose, so I was able to remove it by shimmying a burnishing tool along under the edge of the paper. But, the other three sides are tightly attached.
wpfay said:
I would think that some of the gum adhesive would go into solution and wick into the paper with the solvent.
Have you consulted a paper conservator?
Have you tried physical removal by rolling it up on itself?
In the event the client doesn't want conservation treatment, the adhesive can be isolated by sticking strips of Mylar to it until such time it can be conserved. The ATG can still have effects on the watercolor paper, but available oxygen will be reduced.
Click to expand...
I should have clarified in the first post, that it's still stuck to the original backing. The top edge was easily released, but the other three are completely stuck. The group that brought it in has a conservator on staff, in another part of the state, but were curious as to whether I could remove it. I've told them that, with an hour or two of work, and a bunch of Unstik, I probably could. But that, since I'd rather not have to wear a cartridge mask for hours, it would be lovely if they had their folks do it. But, since they might like Darth Vader cosplay, I figured I should see if Unstick, hurts acrylic.

As for rolling, it's thick paint on heavy paper, so that's a no-go. Much appreciate your reply, as always.
 
You might try to physically remove as much of the foam board as possible working through the back. Then use the solvent on the back of the face paper that’s stuck to the art. That avoids saturating the art paper, but leaves the ATG to still deal with.
 
For what it's worth, I once tried cleaning an acrylic painting (I thought it was oil) with mineral spirits and
it went all cloudy. So by that token I would avoid any solvents.
I would continue to try to gingerly prise it off with a palette knife. Then as previously suggested, cover the
adhesive remaining with Mylar or similar. That leaves the future removal of the glue residue a possibility.

** BTW, I finally rescued the cloudy painting (after much trial and tribulation) by applying some of the polish
designed for the plastic bits of cars.
Worked a treat. You have to suffer sometimes to learn.... 😜
 
I often remove stuck art by scoring and delaminating the paper from the core of the foamcore, making sure that your bone folder or whatever prying instrument you are using is going under the foamcore paper, and not just between the art and mounting board. If the art is at risk of warping from this action, then turn it face down and just start ripping pieces of the backboard off to the same effect. Then you can work a bit more meticulously removing the remaining paper/adhesive or leaving as is if it's going to make too much of a mess/headache.
 
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