The Framers Forum

I have been asked to make mounts using Arqadia barefaced mountslip 67mm . No problem there , however customer wants them painted white . What can I do to stop them gapping after being painted. I had a go last year and they did gap after a few months.

Hopefully there is an answer.

Jon

As long as you have glued and pinned them and they are behind glass, supported the full size to the rebate of the frame , they should be ok.

Try sealing the back of the moulding with PVA. (or paint the back at the same time as the front). It's all to do with moisture content and shrinkage. Typically the moulding will have been stored in an unheated warehouse and then put in a warm domestic environment after it is cut. Depending on the original moisture content it will tend to shrink. Ideally you should leave it in a warm room for a few months before using it - not always practical. Sometimes there is simply not a lot you can do bar filling the gap and repainting.

Funny stuff wood.

Very good points Prospero, I forgot to do that, I must have been lucky when I done mine.