The Framers Forum

We are new to picture framing. Please can anyone recommend what is best to use for filling cracks due to poor mitred joints?

Hi and Welcome to the Forum.

It depends on the size of the gap really. There are a few coloured wax preparations such as Liberon Gilt Cream (comes in lots of colours - not just metallics) which work fine on hairline gaps. These fillers never set hard, so for bigger gaps it's best to fill with something like polyfilla and then use the gilt cream on top. Acrylic paints are also useful for brighter non-woody colours.

These are good too

https://www.lionpic.co.uk/hardware-supp ... llers.aspx

Thanks for that.
What paint do you recommend for painting bare wood mouldings?

Depends what you want to do with it. If you want just a flat colour you will need to prepare it with 'ripple' paint about 3 coats sanded between each and then 2-3 coats of your final colour. I use a range of decorators sample puts dulux craig and rose and also farrow and ball. You can also use this as a base to add washes over the top to increase the depth of the colour or to guild over.

If you are wanting a more simple colour wash allowing the grain to come through then just emulsion paint will suffice.

If you are using matt paints then it is also advisable to give it a little wax over the top as well to give some protection in the home.

Thanks for that.
When framing artwork on paper or photos, should we always put acid free board or paper behind it to protect it?

This bit is just for saying "Hello" really - you've done that. Hello and welcome to the forum.

Would be best to start a new topic in 'Help'

But anyway - it depends on your own default standards and/or what is required by the customer but normally an 'undermount' is used and these days 'acid free' mount board is no big deal.