The Framers Forum

I have to remove a stretched canvas from a knackered old frame. It's structurally sound, lots of gum tape on rear, mostly decayed but still well stuck to flat wood surfaces. Canvas held in place with nails.
Any suggestions / tips / warnings before I take it apart?
thanks!

Sounds familiar.

You can try teasing the nails loose by gently levering around the sides with a broad-bladed screwdriver. Little bit on one nail, then move around. If the nails are driven in at an angle, you can sometimes lever them enough so that a enough is sticking out to get a pair of pliers on.
If the shank of the nail is exposed at the side - between canvas and frame, you could saw it off with a hacksaw blade. Tedious process. I've sometimes cut them off with a Dremel + cutting wheel, which makes short work of it. Slightly alarming with sparks flying off, but you don't stress the canvas or frame this way.

What are you doing with it once it's off, does it need re-stretching or is it being bonded down?