mirror finish moulding

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I'd be curious to know if anyone has cut and joined any of the Harlow yet and if they've encountered any issues.



Z
 
No kidding! Guess my rep forgot that one last time he was here. Thanks! I'd also like to know how it cuts and handles. Is it the only one in the industry?
 
Harlow is just a reflective foil wrapped on MDF, handles and cuts like Bonanza wood.
 
Surprising that LJ would go to a MDF line. I am on the LJ visit once in a blue moon list so I have not seen Harlow in person.
 
They had to use MDF because they couldn't get wood smooth enough to not cause distortion in the mirror finish.
 
bruce papier said:
They had to use MDF because they couldn't get wood smooth enough to not cause distortion in the mirror finish.
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Really? Something about that reason seems like a good excuse from a rep. Those that know more about these sorts of things, does that jibe with your knowledge base?
 
Is anyone else around here old enough to remember the first incarnation of metallic-wrapped woods from the 70s? They used to come in with a peel-off protective film like acrylic has. You had to be careful not to squeeze them too tightly in the corner vise because they dented very easily. I used to use escutcheon pin- type nails for assembly and have the heads as a decorative feature.
:popc: Rick

There was a 2" wide version of that stuff I used to use to frame a water lily print by Asoma from New York Graphics. We used to sell the heck out of those back in the day.
 
Rick Granick said:
Is anyone else around here old enough to remember the first incarnation of metallic-wrapped woods from the 70s? They used to come in with a peel-off protective film like acrylic has. You had to be careful not to squeeze them too tightly in the corner vise because they dented very easily. I used to use escutcheon pin- type nails for assembly and have the heads as a decorative feature.
:popc: Rick

There was a 2" wide version of that stuff I used to use to frame a water lily print by Asoma from New York Graphics. We used to sell the heck out of those back in the day.
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I still used them in SA in the 90's.
 
pwalters said:
Really? Something about that reason seems like a good excuse from a rep. Those that know more about these sorts of things, does that jibe with your knowledge base?
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That and HUGE profits!
 
Rick Granick said:
Is anyone else around here old enough to remember the first incarnation of metallic-wrapped woods from the 70s? They used to come in with a peel-off protective film like acrylic has. You had to be careful not to squeeze them too tightly in the corner vise because they dented very easily. I used to use escutcheon pin- type nails for assembly and have the heads as a decorative feature.
:popc: Rick
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I once had a customer bring in an old scratched metal clad frame from the seventies. They had broken the glass and also wondered if I could shine up the dull frame. I examined it closely only to discover no one had ever pulled off the protective film - I pulled it off and the customer thought I had performed a miracle - bright shiny "new" frame underneath the ratty film. LOL
 
Great story, Mar. :thumbsup:
 
Rick Granick said:
Is anyone else around here old enough to remember the first incarnation of metallic-wrapped woods from the 70s? They used to come in with a peel-off protective film like acrylic has. You had to be careful not to squeeze them too tightly in the corner vise because they dented very easily. I used to use escutcheon pin- type nails for assembly and have the heads as a decorative feature.
:popc: Rick
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Back in Chicago in the 70's we used the copper wrapped wood and the chrome wrapped wood.
The nails were copper or chrome heads to match the moulding.
I remember the peel off film.

Some customers wanted the copper to look like a new penny and we would have to seal it to keep it that way.
Otherwise just handling it would start a weathered patina look after a while.
Other customers wanted the green/blue/black copper patina and we would have to treat the copper with a sulfur solution to make the finish look old.
 
Ylva said:
So how is the finish on the Harlow? Does it scratch as easily as Framerica's stainless steel finish?????
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I just had my LJ rep in minutes ago showing me this. The finish looks really durable, as I took a phillips head to it and it did nothing scratch-wise. I'm sure with effort it would dent, but again with effort any frame would.

The clarity is very similar to glass, though not as perfectly flat, but very close indeed. If you're looking for a mirror-frame - this is it. You can see yourself and how close you shaved that day, if that gives you an indication, though with its angles, you would be unlikely to be staring at yourself when hung. My rep Ben said that its the same shiny material that is used in cars for faux-chrome.

My one-and-only concern is that it is on MDF. I draw the line there, so I decided to take the samples to keep in the back. When the once a year request comes in "can you make a frame out of a mirror", then I will show them this. Though, since its essentially like a foil, and on MDF, the potential challenge is two fold. 1) Will MDF have a strong enough hold in the corners to support what is likely to be a mirror inside? 2) Will the foil release if this is used on a bathroom mirror?

I just can't believe they used MDF rather than gessoed wood. If they did, neither of these would be of concern.

This is like going to a fine restaurant and they serve you with paper plates because its less expensive than hiring a person to wash dishes. It makes no sense, aside from on a spreadsheet.
 
Framar said:
I once had a customer bring in an old scratched metal clad frame from the seventies. They had broken the glass and also wondered if I could shine up the dull frame. I examined it closely only to discover no one had ever pulled off the protective film - I pulled it off and the customer thought I had performed a miracle - bright shiny "new" frame underneath the ratty film. LOL
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Good story. I often notice that people have had VCRs, DVD players, or other devices with readout panels that still have their protective film on them after years of use.
:cool: Rick

I just recently peeled the film off the outside of the motor housing on my Wizard after 5 years. :icon11:

Years ago there was a Franz Kline show at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Most of the pieces were in matte black or welded steel frames. One of the black frames looked odd to me and, upon closer inspection, I noticed that it was actually one of the welded steel frames that had black electrical tape over it (for protection during shipping I assume). I told one of the guards that I was a professional framer and that I didn't think the tape was supposed to stay on that frame for exhibit.
 
I don't know, I just got the samples in and the despite the fact that they're brand spanking new they're already covered with scratches. I can scratch it easily with my thumbnail, and then there's the MDF.. Shoot, I was kind of excited about these but I think I might be with cjmst3k and keep them in the back, just in case.
 
I saw them, but don't even want the samples.

They just looks like a 'scratch magnet',

Does anyone know whether they have a 'plastic protective covering' initially, that might make them more viable.
 
kuluchicken said:
I saw them, but don't even want the samples.

They just looks like a 'scratch magnet',

Does anyone know whether they have a 'plastic protective covering' initially, that might make them more viable.
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Blue plastic coat, like on plexiglas. The finish is soft and mal·le·a·ble .. ;) but held up well. just remember to remove the blue coat that wraps around the rabbit... doh .. I had to undo and redo to get it off...
 
Wow, I'm gonna have to admit to everyone here that I'm a moron.. didn't realize there was a protective covering. I just thought they were a helluva lot more blue than they appeared online...in my defense it's been a crazy day.. yeah that sounds weak even to me :)
 
I think they are pretty eye catching and they look great on my wall, better than a sea of earth tones. I think the surface will hold up better than Taffy or Ferossa.
 
Certain things are always more fragile than other things, so with shiny finishes and others I always put a non-abrasive paper on my worktable and take extra care when handling them. I would also advise the customer to treat it gently when hanging. Once on the wall, it shouldn't be much of an issue.
:cool: Rick

I agree about the Taffy. Every time my LJ rep is looking for feedback, I always say that I would gladly pay more for that moulding if they could find a way to make it more durable. As it is, it's just on the cusp of being "not worth it" to use because it chips so easily at the miters. Never had any issues with Ferrosa, though.
 
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