Matt black moulding cleaning

[RobertL]

Hi. I've got something on the joins of a matt black frame and it's made it slightly shiny on the mitres. It's either black Indian ink I used to very carefully ink the cut miter edges or it's glue that's dried and isn't coming off. I've used rubbing alcohol and lighter fluid and it's still there. Any advice?

 

[wpfay]

If it is PVA glue, saliva works quite well to remove it, but the act of removal can cause localized polishing of the finish.
I normally color the ends of the miters with a solvent (alcohol) based pigmented art pen prior to joining. Care taken to avoid getting the inks on the surface, but if you swipe it quickly with a soft cloth of a finger, it can be removed. I use Copic markers for that.

The glue is best dealt with immediately after joining by cleaning of excess with a dampened soft cloth before it has a chance to set.

After the fact you might try gently wiping with Acetone (all precautions exercised) to restore the matte finish. It may not work.

There are scouring pads available in the US under the brand "Mr. Clean". They are a soft foam and framers here have had some success using them to detail matte finished framing.

 

[RobertL]

Many thanks for the reply. I'm guessing greater care is called for! And people ask why frames cost what they do!

 

[Jleschak]

Fwiw, I dont use pigment pens anymore, just always the slightest mismatch noticed and since I haven been using the Maxim Raven Black glue, no longer needed.

 

[Larry Peterson]

I would change the pen that you used to color the edges. I have found that using a black/very black marker on the edges can leave a visible line. I have found that Chartpak Cool Gray #8 works best for me and doesn't bleed into the face.

 

[Jleschak]

Yeah, I have those, not to my liking, but often we each have approaches via that work to our own styles.

 

[Finest Fabric]

I use DRY ERASE markers to color the mitres..... it is permanent on the wood and rubs off the matte finish of the moulding.

 

[cvm]

Kiwi Scuff Cover (not the polish).

 

[Jleschak]

I use DRY ERASE markers to color the mitres..... it is permanent on the wood and rubs off the matte finish of the moulding.

I like it. Have to try that.

 

[Rick Granick]

If it is dried glue, you might try softening it with a cloth dampened with hot water (not dripping wet). Then try to carefullyscrape it off with a fingernail. It is definitely easier to clean the glue off during the joining process. I use a toothbrush for that. If you do get shiny spots from rubbing too vigorously, the best way to remove them is gently rubbing with a dry Mr. Clean magic Eraser.
Rick

 

[RobertL]

Great feedback everyone. I'm learning lots here. Matt black seems to be pretty sensitive but I never had this problem before.

 

[monkey]

Un-do adhesive remover sometimes works well for me at removing ink marks at the miter.