Is this an acceptable way to mount needlework?

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Natalya Murphy

Natalya Murphy

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Nov 4, 2006
Posts
478
Loc
Nebraska
Just opened up a frame for a customer that came in for a museum glass upgrade and saw that the needlepoint in the frame is being held in place by what looks like packaging tape. Intuitively, this doesn't seem like a good idea. I would have expected a true sink mat to enclose the three needleworks. We also noticed that the fillet outline ghosted onto the glass. So here are my questions on how best to fix this frame job.

1. What's the safest way to remove the tape so we can build up a good sink mount around the needlepoint? Am I right in thinking that this tape is not considered preservation quality?

2. Would a polyurethane coat over the front of the fillets prevent future ghosting, or do we just need to put more space between the fillet and the glazing? As framed, parts of the fillet were touching the glass.

3. What's the safest way to remove the foamcore that's taped to the mat without killing the mat?



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Oh, it makes a fella proud to be a framer!

As you no doubt guessed, this is something less than preservation framing. Not to say that I haven't used my share of needlework tape and packing tape, but I have reformed these days.

As to removal, you might just try pulling it up and see what happens. Even if you leave some adhesive behind, it will be better off than now. I am assuming that the customer probably isn't interested in sending this to a textile conservator.

Some days ya just wanna put your head on the table and weep, doncha?
 
There is no pressure-sensitive adhesive suitable for direct contact with an item of value in preservation framing. The problem is not related to the chemistry of the tape or adhesive. Rather, the problem is that the adhesive -- however chemically nice it may be -- migrates into the fibers and may be impossible to remove later.

If an adhesive is appropriate for mounting (seldom, that is) then use an inert, chemically-stable, non-invasive, water-soluble paste.

The fillet should not be in contact with the textile, either, as its lignin content could cause discoloration. If you can't add at least a 4-ply buffered, alphacellulose separator under the fillet, then cover its exposed wood surfaces with foil tape, such as Lineco's rabbet sealing tape.
 
C'mon Baer, don't parse Jim's words to extremes.

In the first quote he was making the point that a self-adhesive tape should not be in direct contact with the art if you want to call it preservation framing. In other words, don't try to use tape to mount the art and then call it preservation quality.

In his second quote the adhesive on the tape is against the fillet, not the artwork, which is excatly the way the product is meant to be used.
 
Let's not make this more difficult than it is. :kaffeetrinker_2:

In preservation framing a textile, suitable pressure sensitive tapes (chemically inert, stable, non-migrating) are OK to use on the framing materials, but not on the textile item itself. Even the best tapes' adhesives would migrate into a textile, and removing the residue from the weave may be impossible.

Case in point: Some "framer's tape" products claim to be preservation quality and heat-removable. And that they are...the tape is good quality and it comes off readily when heat is applied. But adhesive residue stays behind, soaked into the fibers forever.

Metal and glass are gas-impermeable barriers, and practical in most framing projects. Lineco's foil tape, placed on the fillet, would have its adhesive on the wood, and the foil would provide a barrier against migration of nasties from both the wood and the tape adhesive.

So Baer, Lineco's rabbet sealing tape would be OK to use on the fillet, but not on the textiles being framed.
 
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