Sterling silver frames and silicone

framanista

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Oct 20, 2003
Posts
202
Loc
Northeast US
A customer brought in two sterling silver frames that have no fasteners for keeping the picture and the glass in. Someone at this shop (not me!) wants to use silicone glue :eek: in the back. I’m thinking that’s a bad idea, because silver is reactive and silicone off-gasses. Am I right?

How are these frames supposed to be finished? I realize I haven’t described them very well. I don’t know how to, except to say that they have a front lip, and sides, but nothing at all in back.
help.gif
 
Look along the top and sides, see if there are some very small holes a silver pin could go through. They should be there. You assemble every thing in the frame, then insert the small silver pins or nails through the holes. That is how they stay together. If that is not the case, try Tacky Glue.

John
 
Thanks for your reply John. Unfortunately, there aren't any holes for pins to go through.

I forgot to say that they are about two inches by three inches, and oval shaped.
 
Haven't seen those )#(*#)*$ things in years.
Silicon will tarnish the silver. But, hot
glue should do the trick. Beats the heck out
of Silver Souldering tabs on that should have
been on there anyway. Thanks for reminding me of nightmares from the 60's & 70's....
Now back to my lazer print that got heat mounted.
 
As Baer said, acetic acid curing silicone will
tarnish silver and the alcohol curing type has
a very short shelf life, making it hard to use.
An electrical grade hotmelt such as 3M 3797 (it
requires a Polygun TC and both glue and gun can
be found at United) will not tarnish the silver.

Hugh
 
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