The Framers Forum

I have a 10mm thick painted hardboard, gessoed on both sides. Customer wants it glued to a larger piece of mdf.
Any tips? Best to sand back the gesso first for a better bond?
TIA

Oh dear! I don't think that gesso is a structural strong surface which is particularly idea for gluing other things on to. Personally, I'm not thinking that this is a good idea! However, since the board is 10mm thick, is there any chance of drillind a hole and gluing a threaded nut in to the board below the gesso, to get a more secure attachment to the board and the use some short screws to provide some king of structural attachment in addition to gluing the two boards together.

This sort of job is one that I would not really be willing to get involved with, if I was asked to do it. I would not be particularly happy about producing a guarenteed outcome. I tend to think that with some jobs it can be better to just walk away! I'm not sure that this is a job that is not going to be worth the amount of money that is worth charging for it vs the risks of it all falling apart one day.

Thanks for the input Mark.
I think I answered my own question as I was writing it. I think I'm going to sand back the gesso in 4 places, back to barewood and try a water based no nails adhesive. It's a painting of sentimental value from 1939, so I'm wary of drilling into the board.

I would do as you suggest but use epoxy glue. You can't beat a bit of over-engineering.

Thanks, I appreciate the input!

Why do they want to stick it to a larger piece of MDF?
I would probably try and talk them out of that and just framing as normal.

Thanks. It's 10mm painted hardboard, that he wants floated. It's an understandable design choice, considering the piece and he's a discerning customer who I bend over backwards for. He spends a lot of money and sets me challenges that I always learn a lot from.

lion code 9063A
angle grind off the hooks. seal gesso with 3M 94 Primer Adhesive Adhesion Promoter or mdf sealer. peal off release paper and position and stick both metal pads to back of picture. dont worry about them staying on.. its all about surface area,, remember the solvite wallpaper advert.

recess 4 round neodymium magnets with same size drill bit to MDF and screw in magnets (they have hole in middle, easily available on amazon or ebay.

picture is now infinitely adjustable and bond is reversible