Float mounted aluminium print

[louisesimon]

Afternoon,

I've been asked to frame an expensive photograph that is 100cm by 75cm. It's to be dry mounted on aluminium, however he wants it raise mounted. My initial thoughts are to glue a sheet of ply that's a good few cms smaller onto the back of the aluminium. This will then need to be sunk below the level of the mountboard. Probably doesn't make much sense.

Not sure if I'm over engineering this and there's a simpler solution...

[pramsay13]

I would just stick a smaller piece of foamboard onto the back of the aluminium and stick that onto the mountboard. Not sure why you would need to sink anything below the level of mountboard?

[Graysalchemy]

I would use something like you sugested because of the weight of it and not foam core. However because of its weight it will have to be glued which technically goes against the grain from a conservation framing point of you.

Once you have a piece of mdf or ply on the black this can be attached to a sheet of mdf with mount board covered over it and screwed from the back with small screws.

But make sure you run it past your client what you plan to do if you are going to glue the panel to a board.

[Roboframer]

If you mean you'll be using a window mount and it is to sunk below that, why use one at all? Just put it, on it's 'pedestal' on to a backing mount and use rebate spacers.

As for gluing, I wouldn't be too worried about that as the artwork itself is already fixed with permanent adhesive. You could use a frame as opposed to a board.

[Framemaker Richard]

I've used various over-engineered methods for float mounting aluminium, copper, and steel over the years. First started with obeche strip wood and Araldite 2015, 2012, or 3MDP810, to begin with I also used a barrier adhesive, making the bond completely reversible in the future if required. But after a while this just seemed a little extreme, and was only necessary if conservation was a real issue.

After a few years of messing about, one of the countries leading companies who deal with aluminium printing was very helpful, and pointed me towards using 3M VHB tape and aluminium extrusions. Really simple to do, the alu extrusions are secured to the backing with self-tapping screws (I first used bolts but again this is over-kill and not needed). If required the bond between the aluminium panel and sub-frame can simply be cut through with a sharp blade, and the residue cleaned off with mild solvents. If you have concerns over using an adhesive tape, they have been used in industry and construction for years, and as long as the correct tape is used and is applied correctly, the bond is permanent unless it needs to be removed.

A few pictures here: http://richard-framemaker.blogspot.co.u ... nting.html

My example is basically just float mounted, with spacers in a box frame, if you are having a mount around then just get it to the level required with foamboard under the mount.

If you want to keep things simple then I would either use a wooden or aluminium subframe screwed to a mounboard covered 3mm MDF backing, and araldite. Personally I would not use ply, mdf, foamboard or any type of board, for no other reason than I think a wooden or aluminium subframe is more stable.

[Graysalchemy]

I have recently had a few of those aluminium acrylic prints in to be framed one large one 2000mm x 1500mm. It too had the aluminium sub frame didn't realise it was just taped on.

[louisesimon]

Well Richard I couldn't really get a better answer than that, with photos as well! I've spent a lot of time looking through your blog in the past, absolutely brilliant, keep it up.

This demonstration video shows how strong this stuff can be...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L51n4ZY21xo

[Graysalchemy]

Could you tell me which of the 3M VHB tape you use? there seems to be one for every conseivable use.

[Framemaker Richard]

Sure Alistair,

I use 4611F, http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/3m-vhb-acryli ... oll-1.html

I know some people use 4632, http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/3m-scotch-mou ... 632-1.html

I think Lion also sell a DS foam tape, and alu extrusions intended for this use, no idea if the tape they sell is 3M brand.

[Graysalchemy]

Thanks for that richard