Float mounting a massive artwork

[Not your average framer]

I'm currently float mounting a massive artwork on very heavy (600 gsm) deckle edged paper. The artwork is over 60" x 40", so it's already too large to float onto a sheet of jumbo mountboard and it's to a very tight time schedule.

I've been asked (by the artist) to float mount it onto 6mm MDF. At first I could not believe my ears, but it's not as bad as it sounds. The MDF is painted around the outside edge to make an attractive visible border, the artwork is then hinged onto a large piece of 3mm Artcare foamboard and finally the foamboard is glued with PVA onto the MDF. The Artcare 3mm foamboard measures 4mm thick (don't ask me why) so the artwork edges will be 4mm clear of the MDF.

Personally I don't like the idea and I can't say that it's a method which I would choose myself, but for massive artworks this method may be worth remembering when no other solution can be found.

[JFeig]

That art is about 2 pounds in weight (imperial)..... Hinges will hold that to the foam board and then the sealed MDF. MDF is not my choice of a backing board, but that is the artists decision.

My question is... How does the artist expect this art on paper to be protected from the elements ( yes there is a climate and pollution in a building)? Do you offer acrylic display boxes on that side of the pond? If I were to frame that, I would mount it to a fabric covered foam board with an attached wood strainer, covered with a five sided acrylic cover that would be screwed to the strainer. A job like that in my area, I guesstimate, would be some where in the $1,000 - $1,200 price range as I have not had to do something like that in over 5 years.

[Not your average framer]

Hi Jerry,

Yes I agree. You will notice that I'm acting according to the artists instructions. Apparently this is normal and accepted practice in some circles, but I don't like it and it won't be getting my label on the back.

[Not your average framer]

My question is... How does the artist expect this art on paper to be protected from the elements ( yes there is a climate and pollution in a building)? Do you offer acrylic display boxes on that side of the pond? If I were to frame that, I would mount it to a fabric covered foam board with an attached wood strainer, covered with a five sided acrylic cover that would be screwed to the strainer. A job like that in my area, I guesstimate, would be some where in the $1,000 - $1,200 price range as I have not had to do something like that in over 5 years.

Not in this case, "this is a how much can you frame this for" type job. It's normal 3mm float glass, with Artcare conservation foamboard as the main protective aspect of the framing package. The MDF will be sealed with waterproof PVA. If there was time and it was stated as important, I would consider an epoxy based sealant, but this is a rush job.

[JFeig]

I see...............

" how cheap can I get away with" type of client!

then

Can you do it for less than that!

[WelshFramer]

with Artcare conservation foamboard as the main protective aspect of the framing package.

Should be a good test of Artcare's ability to absorb pollutants.

[Not your average framer]

Should be a good test of Artcare's ability to absorb pollutants.

I don't think it will be a problem the PVA I using to seal the MDF is an exterior waterproof one and I'm guessing that it should help considerably.

The other option if I had time to buy some is a two part epoxy sealer called Tuf-kote. There's an industrial version of it under another name which is used for encapsulating and sealing of electronic assemblies, which is un-affected by an amazing range of normally troublesome chemicals, substances and operating temperatures.

An engineering friend lets me scrounge some when I need it, I fairly sure that nothing gets through that.