Help Photo stuck to glass! Any suggestions?

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DanPat

DanPat

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Feb 27, 2002
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Just a small town
Ok, a customer brought in a photograph from the '80s that looks like it was a do-it-yourself-job in a clip frame. The glass was broken (cracked from corner to corner), so she brought it in for a glass replacement. The photograph is stuck to the glass in several places, and I know that if I try to remove it I will destroy the image. Any suggestions on removing the photo?

The only thing that I have in mind is to photograph it and make a reprint on my Epson 7600.

Open to suggestions!
Thanks,
Dan
 
That's exactly what we would do, and in fact did with my parent's wedding photo.

Scan it to a digital format (if legal to do so), clean it up in photoshop, and re-print.

There have been some threads about this topic in the past, where some folks soaked it in water - but liability might be great; depending how the original was made. I wouldn't :)
 
Soak it in water……..it has worked for me…

Do a search this subject has been covered a few times….other methods were suggested….

Mike got to it first.... :-)
 
Scanning or photographing the whole thing, glass and all and then repairing the damaged image in photoshop is about the best that can be done in a situation like this. Be sure to clean the front of the glass (very carefully, mind you!) so you will have a bit less work to do.

You can also do a Search on "photo stuck to glass" and probably get about a whole day's worth of reading material just here on the Grumble!!!

Have fun!
 
Scan.

Another trick that I usually try is a little blow drier heat on the glass. This has worked for me many times, but it's not foolproof and probably not conservator grade information. I've have always been to scared to immerse in water. A blow drier seems less invasive but it it was a thermo printed concert ticket, I wouldn't try it...

Susan MCPF
 
I've read on the Grumble a suggestion to cool the glass by placing a zip-loc bag of ice on the glass. So try that. Then try warming the glass with a hair dryer. Then scan. Then try immersing it in water. Then when it's ruined print a new copy from the scan and frame that.
 
Do a copy first. Then, get written permission from the client before trying a removal. You don't tell us what type of print you have. Knowing that will help with suggestions as to how to proceed.

Understand that with cracked or broken glass and a stuck photo you will most likely end up with a marred surface permanently even if you get it to release completely.
 
Good advice here.
If you get the customers permission and scan it first,
that's your safest way to go. Sometimes soaking
does work, and it worked for me once on just
getting spots off of the front of a resin coated photo.
But if there are any tears in the paper or any other
unforeseen issues the print could be ruined.

Framer Dave's ice and blow dryer idea is
interesting if the customer wants you to go
ahead and try to release it after scanning.
That said, once you quote your appropriately
high hourly fee and have them sign that waiver,
the cost of a scan and reprint might start to seem
more friendly. My mom had a small picture of us
three girls that was not only stuck to the glass, but
the glass was broken as well. She took it to one
of my photographer friends who scanned through
the broken glass, photoshopped out the breaks
and made beautiful enlargements of the photo.
By taking time to approach this job with caution,
you'll feel very relieved not to have the possibility
of a disaster resting on your shoulders.
Feel free to let us know how it turns out. :)
 
Frankenthread alert.

Recently a client brought in a old (1960's) black and white photo mounted to regular mat board.

She used to work for a museum and they used to remove the photos from the backing by soaking in a tray of water until the board dissolved. She wanted me to try it with her piece and I told her no way. She took it home and did it, I have to say it worked great, I was floored. Would I try it, not on a customers work, but if I ever have the chance to try it on a piece o junk photo from the thirft store, sure.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to try and call her today and discuss the options. I have a feeling that she doesn't want to spend a fortune on it, so she will probably go with the scan/print solution.

I'll let you know how it turns out...
 
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