Float mount, between glass???

Create a Post
Susan May

Susan May

PFG, Picture Framing God
Forum Donor
Joined
May 28, 2000
Posts
5,929
Loc
moved to Clermont, Florida
A customer brought in a piece of fabric "art" (stitchery on burlap), that had been framed ten years ago. The framing was a thin (1") double mat, and two pieces of glass in a metal frame. No backing! The mat opening is about two inches away from the "art" on all sides, so that you have a clear veiw of whatever is behind it. It was knocked off the easel it was displayed on, and the glass broke.

So... the customer wants us to replace the glass, but not the mat, which is water damaged. Our question is... How do you keep the fabric from sliding? There is evidence that some form of adhesive was holding the fabric to the backing glass. (She does not care about conservation methods.)

We tried to explain why framers should not sandwich ANY artwork between two pieces of glass, but she was adament that she wanted it the way it was originaly done. :rolleyes:

(be nice) :D
 
What IS IT with people wanting the "floating" look? Are they really so enamored of their wallpaper that they can't stand to cover even one sqare foot of it with artwork?
...Sorry for the rant...

Anyway, you could substitute acrylic for the back glazing and drill tiny holes in it, through which to stitch-mount the fabric. Just a suggestion. If they are too cheap to replace their waterstained mat, they may not be ready to pay you for your time and skill on this job.

Good luck.
:cool: Rick
 
I second the rant. OK, having said that....

Since there is an indication that there was some type of adhesive on it already, why not put a small amount of Super77 to hold the burlap. I am a huge fan of needleart, but burlap is not the type of needleart that is worth preservation in my opinion. (For the most part, I think that would be true throughout the needleart industry. To compare, it is similar to using paper mats over preservation mats. I was a stitcher long before I was a framer.)

The only other thing I would do is be sure to have the customer sign off on this whatever method you use. They don't like to remember what you told them about their ideas.

Candy
 
We tried to explain why framers should not sandwich ANY artwork between two pieces of glass,
Click to expand...
I have to confess, I do it frequently – especially with those papyrus thingies with the "deckled" edges. I usually suggest that a slab of mat board be placed behind the second sheet of glass rather than have the wall paper show through.

My reasoning is that glass in chemically inert (unlike the surface papers of a mat board) so it should preserve it well. Except for the increased weight of the frame and the fact that I've gotta clean four surfaces of glass rather that two, I don't have a problem with a glass sandwich.

... and often you don't have to use adhesives to keep the art in place.

[ 11-13-2003, 09:52 AM: Message edited by: Bill Henry ]
 
This is one of those jobs that I simply would not take in. I do alot of repairs, one of my criteria is the job look better when it leaves than when it came in. There was a time when I would do almost anything brought to me, if do-able. At this phase of my career, those days are behind me. Yes, I have become a framing snob!

Sounds to me like anything that sticks-Corner Weld, Elmers, ATG-is good enough for this customer.
 
Bill, the reason you should not have ANY artwork sandwiched (is that a word?) is you need air movement to prevent mold growth (among other bad thingys). Check out F.A.C.T.S.

If I HAVE to use an adheasive, what should I use? I would want it to be clear, so it won't attract too much attention... and I would want something that will atach to the glass and the fabric... AND not soak through to the front of the fabric. :eek:

Am I expecting too much from a low end job? :rolleyes:
 
Before I frame (or re-frame) with destructive methods and materials, I make absolutely sure the customer understands WHY those methods/materials are destructive, and describe the consequences in detail.

Unless we explain our reasons for recommending improvement, consumers often jump to the incorrect conclusion that we're just trying to fatten the price. But when they understand what's going on inside the frame, their attitude usually changes.

If you've verified that preservation truly is not an issue, and that the customer understands the destructive consequences, then I suggest you place it between two pieces of glass as before.

To hold the item in place, use two tiny (1/16" diameter) dabs of white frame glue (acid free, if you have it), placed on the back-glass where the two top corners of the textile would be. Let the glue spots dry thoroughly before assembling the mount. Do not allow wet glue to touch the textile. The slight thickness of the dried glue bumps will act like a couple of fingers to pinch the textile against the front glass at those two points. If that isn't enough to hold the textile, then add a bit more thickness to the bumps, or another bump, and allow plenty of drying time, and assemble again.

Another version of this mount may be created with silicone glue spots, or Bump-Ons stuck to the back-glass, which have a sort of non-slip surface.
 
I have been known to sandwich art between two pieces of glass, mat over the top piece, and install another piece of UV glass over the mat. True, it's a heavy sucker, but I'm not sure why mylar encapsulation would not inspire the same mold growth that I hear you say might occur between two pieces of glass.
 
but I'm not sure why mylar encapsulation would not inspire the same mold growth that I hear you say might occur between two pieces of glass.
Click to expand...
Yeah, … what he said!

I did a quick check on FACTS (FRM-2000, GLZ-2000, AND PMMB-2000) and I could only find two references which may be germane here. (I freely admit I didn’t read the whole thing so I may have missed a more succinct reference). If you could cite it, I would appreciate it.

1) “A glazing material placed directly on the artwork can also create problems as the support paper adjusts to its changing environment. “

and

2) “11.02   Textiles and some other items may require construction that allows for an airflow.”

Okay, 1) would discourage us from placing glass directly onto a poster without a frame space or without a mat. I admit that I do it all the time. With a large, heavy slab of glass, a frame space may not provide enough support to the glass to keep it from cracking and a mat may not be what the customer wants. So unless we use a non-reversible adhesive to keep the poster down, we have to violate this standard.

And 2). Will a sandwich of glass, mat, art and backing (once sealed in the frame) provide enough of an airflow to be sufficient? Certainly mat board and (maybe) ArtCare or Foam board is more porous than glass, but I’ve seen mildew and other goobers inside of such frames albeit having been exposed to rather extreme environmental conditions. I wonder if a two sided glass sandwich is a whole lot worse?

I don’t wish to start a flame, here, but I really wonder if a glass sandwich is really that bad.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top