The Framers Forum

Hi,

I've got a customer who wishes to re frame a float mounted piece of art. Unfortunately when I took the frame apart I realised the artwork has been fixed to foam core with a double sided film by the original framer. Before I contact the customer to say it can't be done I wanted to know if there are any options for reversing the adhesive. If so, would it need an art restorer or paper conservator? I'm in the Manchester area.

Thanks

Paul

Why do they do it?

If you want to have a go, impress on the customer that any damage will be down to the individual that did it in the first place.

You could try nibbling away the foamcore that isn't stuck. Once you get down to to strips of tape I would tend to leave them. Depending on what sort it is, you may be able to gently peel them off. If it's ATG type stuff then it may just roll off with your thumb.

if it's double sided tape, sometimes lighter fluid will loosen it but very carefully and in small amounts

if it's stuck all the way around do as prospero says, you can pick away the fomecore and take the rest off after

we mount work onto fomecore and cotton rag board but only fine spots with a cellulose based adhesive which is fully reversible with moisture off a wet watercolour brush.

good luck

I wouldn't tackle it with a bargepole! Find yourself a good paper conservator that you can either refer customers to or take their artwork in yourself for a commission on the conservator's price.

In either case, if you have to remove the artwork from the frame first you need to charge for that whether the job gets done or not.

I think I'm missing something. Why can't you leave the artwork on the foamboard and frame it like that. After explaining to the customer of course.

I'd guess the customer wants it re-floated but on to a different colour mounting board. I'd suggest, if the cost of removal and re-floating was out, putting a window mount over it.

Sorry pramsay13, the edges of the paper have curled up so I was going to try to flatten it and float mount it 'properly'.