hi folks,
i stretched a canvas and then saw this dent in the middle of it.
i read somewhere to spray a bit of water on back of canvas. i did that but it has caused that area of the canvas to cockle.........
ideas anyone?? do i need to restretch the canvas?
Dent in canvas
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fionnuala
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prospero
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Re: Dent in canvas
This can be tricky as not all canvases react the same way. 
It's a case of softly-softly. Damping the canvas needs to be done very gingerly. You have to avoid saturating it. Let it dry complely and carefully tap in the wedges to apply a bit of tension over the whole area. First resort is to try holding it (no nearer than about 12") over a boiling kettle and move it around (face up) in a circular manner to relax the area around the dent. Watch the top surface and see if the dent goes down. Don't try and do it all at once. If the dent goes down, let it cool and dry and repeat the process until it is flat. A little bit at a time is the key.
A better way is to use an airbrush with warm water, but not everyone has one. But it does allow greater control when damping. Don't use a squirty bottle - you need a fine mist.
It's a case of softly-softly. Damping the canvas needs to be done very gingerly. You have to avoid saturating it. Let it dry complely and carefully tap in the wedges to apply a bit of tension over the whole area. First resort is to try holding it (no nearer than about 12") over a boiling kettle and move it around (face up) in a circular manner to relax the area around the dent. Watch the top surface and see if the dent goes down. Don't try and do it all at once. If the dent goes down, let it cool and dry and repeat the process until it is flat. A little bit at a time is the key.
A better way is to use an airbrush with warm water, but not everyone has one. But it does allow greater control when damping. Don't use a squirty bottle - you need a fine mist.
Watch Out. There's A Humphrey About
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Bill Henry
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Re: Dent in canvas
I haven’t tried the tea kettle/ steam, but it sounds a bit better than what I do.
I have had reasonable success by spritzing the dent from the back (standard spray bottle) then immediately wiping up the excess moisture so that the canvas is just a wee bit damp. At that point I gently warm the damp area with our shrink wrap “hair dryer”. My patience is such that I don’t want to wait ‘til it cools and dries on its own.
As Peter says different types of canvas behave differently, but as often as not the dent is a little bit smaller. If it works then I’ll repeat a few times.
In my experience, unless the dent is very shallow, simply keying the stretcher bars usually doesn’t do a whole lot.
I have had reasonable success by spritzing the dent from the back (standard spray bottle) then immediately wiping up the excess moisture so that the canvas is just a wee bit damp. At that point I gently warm the damp area with our shrink wrap “hair dryer”. My patience is such that I don’t want to wait ‘til it cools and dries on its own.
As Peter says different types of canvas behave differently, but as often as not the dent is a little bit smaller. If it works then I’ll repeat a few times.
In my experience, unless the dent is very shallow, simply keying the stretcher bars usually doesn’t do a whole lot.
Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent! – Porky Pine
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prospero
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Re: Dent in canvas
I should add a few words of caution....
If the dent has been caused by pressure from a sharp(ish) object, the fibres may be torn. In this case don't try applying extra tension or you will have a hole.
It needs to be patched by an Experienced Restorer.
If the canvas is old, be careful. If may be slightly rotten and should not be stretched. This is another job for an ER.
If the dent has been caused by pressure from a sharp(ish) object, the fibres may be torn. In this case don't try applying extra tension or you will have a hole.
It needs to be patched by an Experienced Restorer.If the canvas is old, be careful. If may be slightly rotten and should not be stretched. This is another job for an ER.
Watch Out. There's A Humphrey About
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fionnuala
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Re: Dent in canvas
well i did the steaming thing several times last nite and it has definately improved things. still a mark though but is much smaller.
thanks for the advice.
thanks for the advice.