canvas stretching

[pichousepreston]

Hi all

I have an original canvas painting to stretch, size 48 x 44 inches. The artist is concerned about it being 'floppy' if stretched over bars and has asked whether it would be better just pulled round a large piece of MDF and stapled at the back. I'm not convinced that it wouldn't still warp with future temperature variation. He doesn't want it glueing. Does anyone have experience of this?

I have ordered gallery bars from Lion, whaat are the chances of future 'flopping' if the wedges are fitted?

Thanks

[CanvasChris]

If using wedges then no problem... although if the frame isn't braced at that size then it still may.

A little tap on the wedges will retighten if it does.

[prospero]

As CC says....

You can tension bars and the canvas surface will be dead flat. Each of the 8 wedges forces the corresponding bar in a different direction so you have complete control. Occasionally you get a manky canvas that relaxes beyond the limit of the wedges. In that case you would have to remove it, knock the corners of the bars back together and restretch it. Very unusual to have to do this, but at least you can. A lot easier than peeling it off an MDF sheet if it should bubble in the middle.....

Even if you did successfully glue to MDF - which would be a big faff on something that size - you can never rely on the MDF keeping flat. If it decides to bend you are stuck with it. Literally.