Silk to frame

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DaveJ
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Silk to frame

Post by DaveJ »

Hi guy thanks for your help so far on all my questions, always invaluable. Another one for you, this is quite interesting for me as a newbie. Obviously I hear about the damage that can be done by using incorrect tapes etc but this is the first time I've seen it. The yellowing on the front is directly in line with the masking tape that has been used. Anyway this painting on silk needs re-framing, as you can see it has just been wrapped around a piece of card and taped on! Its very thin. So can you tell me the best way to attached this to a backing board for framing please, any other issues advice with it appreciated, thank you, David.

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David McCormack
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Re: Silk to frame

Post by David McCormack »

If this silk was brought in to be mounted for the first time, I would lace it to conservation board. If the silk was very thin or delicate I would lace a base material (maybe with some padding/wadding) to the board first and then tack/stitch the silk to that.

But the problem you have here is; before you can do that, you have to remove the silk from all that decorator's sticky masking tape :shock: I wouldn't want to attempt that if it is of any value. Give it to a conservator who knows what they're doing :D

If of no value or the customer does not want that expense, then just leave alone and re-frame as it is? Trying to remove the tape from the silk could cause damage :(
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prospero
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Re: Silk to frame

Post by prospero »

Yep. Whoever framed it totally knackered it. Once silk gets out of shape it tends to stay like it. You can
persuade it by damping/tensioning like you can with canvas. The straight border is an added complication.


Frame it as it is* or pass it on to a restorer.


* Put a "It weren't me" note inside the frame. :lol:
Watch Out. There's A Humphrey About
Jamesnkr

Re: Silk to frame

Post by Jamesnkr »

If the picture isn't worth restoring then I'd be inclined to use a window mount cut so that the stain isn't visible.
DaveJ
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Re: Silk to frame

Post by DaveJ »

Not had time for it today but the card inside is so thin it will actually slip out from behind it with some very gentle persuasion, I think the tape will come off without damage just about! I'll have a go at it tomorrow and look at the options. Prospero, it wasn't me note! :lol:
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Re: Silk to frame

Post by Not your average framer »

The discolouration is something that is no easy thing to remove. Many professional restorers can disolve and suck out most of the adhesive residue if they have something called a TC vacuum probe, but removing the discolouration that may remain afterwards cannot always be guaranteed. Sometimes you can get an improvement, but you can't always count on it.

One thing that you can be sure of with masking tape like this, is that the discolouration is a process and as time goes on the discolouration will not stay static, but darken move as the progress of time continues. It would be good to make your customer aware of this fact of life in order to discuss their wishes. The cost of getting something as delicate as a silk cleaned close to the original state when new, is for most customers completely excessive.

An alternative option would be to camoflarge some of the discolouration, but the expedient use of a colour of mountboard behind the silk, which shows through from behind and makes the unaffected areas of white silk still remaining closer to the present level of discolouration at this present time, but as the level of discolouration will darken, this is only that which works for a period of time.
Mark Lacey

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DaveJ
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Interests: Picture Framing.

Re: Silk to frame

Post by DaveJ »

Thanks Mark, it actually has yellow in the piece anyway and putting a cream mountboard behind it does hide it. They are not too fussy about it just want it re-framed and better protected without masking tape, all good. Thanks guys.
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