Protective film for plastic glazing

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bosk
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Protective film for plastic glazing

Post by bosk »

Hi All,

Does anyone have any recommendations or advice on how to cover acrylic/perspex/styrene glazed frames to prevent scuffs and scratches?

I'm looking for something low-tack the will adhere to the frame, be transparent enough to display the art behind but protect the glazing itself from the inevitable marks and scratches that they get when lugged around at fairs/markets/galleries/etc.

Not talking about transport or postage - I use bubblewrap for that. This is more for display only. Doesn't have to be perfect, but something re-usable and easy to take off without residue, and ideally reasonably priced.

I'm thinking of something like the rolls of book-laminating clear gloss sticky-back vinyl coverings - but obviously a less permanent solution.

Perhaps something like this

Thanks
Tom
Not your average framer
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Re: Protective film for plastic glazing

Post by Not your average framer »

Hi Tom,

Part of the difficulty with this specialist films that you have mentioned in the fact that you will be paying for whatever minimum quantity that you will need to buy, if you are going to be able to obtain this film from a supplier. I don't know what this will cost you, but it is going to be coming out of your sales income, or out of your own pocket. Maybe it might be easier to find a way of providing the level of protection required using something which does not take a large chunk out of you finances.

Buying a quantity of reasonably think polythene bags has always been the approach that I use. I use this technique for protecting boxes of ready made frames while customers are having a look through them. Each individual frame is placed into a polythene bag and the open end of the bag is folded over before standing these frames against each other in a cardboard box. My bags are 1000 guage, which is 1mm thick. It provides adequate protection and my packaging supplier had a big box of these bags which were surplus to requirements and they were very happy to let me have them at a knocked down price.
Mark Lacey

“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
bosk
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu 29 Oct, 2020 10:46 am
Location: Devon
Organisation: bosk-dartmoor
Interests: photography

Re: Protective film for plastic glazing

Post by bosk »

Thanks Mark,

I hadn't considered covering the entire work, really just the glazing. But I think that might be a really good idea and actually a lot easier than trying to fiddle with cutting film to the right size. I wonder if something like the kind of clear bags that greetings cards come in might work? Tho' probably not for larger pieces. Something to look into.... thanks for the idea

Cheers
Tom
Not your average framer
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Location: Devon, U.K.
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Location: Glorious Devon

Re: Protective film for plastic glazing

Post by Not your average framer »

Not really! The bags that greeting cards come in is polypropylene and does not provide any serious protection. 1,000 gauge polythene is much tougher and can absorb the problems that would otherwise damage your plastic glazing. Polythene that thick is not as crystal clear as the thin polyprpylene which cards are wraped in, which is why I suggested the top of the polythene bags are folded over, that way the frame can be easily taken out and shown to a prospective customer quickly and easily.

I was suggesting these bags as affordable and practical protection while you take the frames from place to place, crystal clear bags will look nice, but won't provide the same level of protection and durability. There is a bit of a trade off with which sort of bag you go for. Also polypropylene bags are not very durable and won't last with repeated handling as packaging for a frame. Sorry about this.
Mark Lacey

“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
pg1
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Re: Protective film for plastic glazing

Post by pg1 »

hope this isn't a stupid suggestion but would clingfilm work? I sometimes use this on the PET i use for safety glazing at exhibs
Paul
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Re: Protective film for plastic glazing

Post by Justintime »

Won't this create a static charge each time you place it and remove it? I would have thought this would necessitate more regular cleaning and more likelihood of scratches each time.
Have you considered using glass??
Justin George GCF(APF)
Insta: georgetheframer
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