The Framers Forum

Does anyone have any tips for cleaning smudges and fingerprints of a black frame ?

How about good old methylated spirits?

If the fingerprints are reasonably fresh, generally wiping them off with naphtha (cigarette lighter fluid) should do the trick.

However, if they’ve been on a long time, the acids in the oils of the fingerprint may have “etched” into the surface, and then you’re up the creek.

The only way out at that point would be to sand the print off, then try to match the color and finish – a very difficult, if not impossible, task.

A good tip I was once shown and still use on some black frames is to use one of those instant shoe shine things.

It has a sponge which you dip in the polish apply to the frame (or your shoes) and then buff up with a soft cloth. Got mine from LIDL but I guess any supermarket will have similar.

As always do a test on some scrap first and you will probably have to do the whole frame.

Hope this works.

John

Thanks.

If it's a shiney, polished black or even wet-look spray lacquer and solvents won't shift the dabs then T-Cut is worth a go. It's just that bit less agressive than wirewool. I have used it in the past when lacquered moulding had been wrapped too soon and the paper stuck. It does tend to matt the finish but a good buffing afterwards usually restores the shine.

What is the finish Keady; high laquer glossy or matt satin ?

It's the matt satin that is a problem with finger marks, enthusiastic cleaning will result in a shiny spot. Very fine wet and dry paper (dry use) with a light touch along the length of the moulding, then a wipe with a soft cotton duster works for me and keeps the moulding matt.

Glossy finishes can be wiped with a clear liquid window cleaner and again a wipe with a soft duster.

I wear cotton gloves when handling these finishes, saves the added work.

Foxy

Foxy its a matt finish,I have used a drop of meths and it seems to have done the trick.
Cheers

Yeah - I normally work best after a few drops of the hard stuff.