Looking for info regarding restoration of older/antique wood frames. Specifically the painted Borin Eveready frames from the 20's & 30's. Can someone point me to a site or book relating to this?
I would like to learn how to do this in house.
Thank you very much.
Al Lewek
Lewek Photography & Frame Studio
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
restoring antique frames
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alewek
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- Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2012 10:35 pm
- Location: Illinois
- Organisation: Lewek Photo & Frame
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JFeig
- Posts: 1466
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- Location: Detroit, Michigan USA
- Organisation: minoxy, LLC
- Interests: non-fiction knowledge
Re: restoring antique frames
From Your web site:
__________________________________________________________________________________
Old Picture Frame Tune-Up
Our newest service - "Old Picture Frame Tune-up"©
is something that almost every home can make good use of
Do you have older framed photos or artworks that have been hanging around for many years?
Chances are they could use a bit of cleaning, touching-up or repairing
We can clean the glass inside, repair damaged frames, replace broken or chipped glass,
replace stained mats, remount slipping artwork and install new hangers & dust covers
so you may continue to safely enjoy them for years to come
____________________________________________________________________________________
What I see is that you need a bit more experience. There is a big difference between a little cleanup and restoration, much conservation. My suggestion is that you learn how to do faux painting for a start. Those frames were finished with bronzing powders in banana oil varnish. Are you expecting to repaint them or do a proper inpainting job? A repainting job will not have that true antique appearance.
Remember to practice on what you own, not on a clients precious momento.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Old Picture Frame Tune-Up
Our newest service - "Old Picture Frame Tune-up"©
is something that almost every home can make good use of
Do you have older framed photos or artworks that have been hanging around for many years?
Chances are they could use a bit of cleaning, touching-up or repairing
We can clean the glass inside, repair damaged frames, replace broken or chipped glass,
replace stained mats, remount slipping artwork and install new hangers & dust covers
so you may continue to safely enjoy them for years to come
____________________________________________________________________________________
What I see is that you need a bit more experience. There is a big difference between a little cleanup and restoration, much conservation. My suggestion is that you learn how to do faux painting for a start. Those frames were finished with bronzing powders in banana oil varnish. Are you expecting to repaint them or do a proper inpainting job? A repainting job will not have that true antique appearance.
Remember to practice on what you own, not on a clients precious momento.
Jerome Feig CPF®
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prospero
- Posts: 11695
- Joined: Tue 05 Jun, 2007 4:16 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire
Re: restoring antique frames
Welcome Al. 
It's all a bit of a dark art and there aren't very many books on the subject. People who do this sort of thing tend to have their own methods learned from years of experience and don't tend to share them.
You have to be a bit careful. Some old frames acquire their 'look' after years and years and trying to 'clean them up' will destroy the character.
But on run-of-the-mill frames that just look ratty benefit greatly from a good waxing. Particularly oak frames.
As Jerome suggests, you need to practice in frame finishing. You could try finishing a few new frames from bare wood so you get acquainted with the various techniques. Quite a few folks on the Forum are into hf, so you can always count on advice.
It's all a bit of a dark art and there aren't very many books on the subject. People who do this sort of thing tend to have their own methods learned from years of experience and don't tend to share them.
You have to be a bit careful. Some old frames acquire their 'look' after years and years and trying to 'clean them up' will destroy the character.
But on run-of-the-mill frames that just look ratty benefit greatly from a good waxing. Particularly oak frames.
As Jerome suggests, you need to practice in frame finishing. You could try finishing a few new frames from bare wood so you get acquainted with the various techniques. Quite a few folks on the Forum are into hf, so you can always count on advice.
Watch Out. There's A Humphrey About