The Framers Forum

I have acquired 2 oil paintings that look as though the backs need some TLC. Please see attachment.
The canvases are held in place with nails and nailed to the frame. Should I leave these as they are or should I replace the nails with spring clips or canvas offsets? Would this devalue the paintings in any way? (Although the paintings have not been valued I'm led to believe that they would be valued at well over £1000 each).

One of the paintings has paper taped around the canvas whilst the other doesn't. The paper tape appears to be stronger than most brown tape (it's almost like webbing). Is it best to have a complete dust cover over the backs, just replace the tape or have no tape or dust cover? And if a dust cover was fitted what would be the best solution to make sure it is 'breathable'?

I would appreciate the expert knowledge of the experienced and knowledgeable framers on this forum.

Thanks
Cliff

I seemed to be common practice at one time to wack big nails into a frame to hold canvases. Not that there is
anything wrong if it works but it does look a bit half-arsed. Even worse if the nails are driven though the stretcher bars.
Getting a canvas out of a frame that has been nailed in can be tricky. On the whole there isn't a lot of merit in pulling
the nails out and re-doing it in a more enlightened way. The nails won't hurt the painting. If it ain't broke don't mend it.

As far as taping the backs, opinion is divided.

Personally I never do it. For one thing any dust is not going to hurt a good canvas. And with no tape on you can easily take
the painting off the wall and hoover out any detritus. If you tape it you can't see what's beneath. Who knows what creepy-crawlies
have set up home inside?
But the worse thing is acres of gooey tape sticking to the back of a canvas. You should be able to remove a canvas from a frame with ease.
Won't do any harm necessarily but it looks like carp.

** I should also mention that Z-clips are the work of the Devil.

prospero wrote:
** I should also mention that Z-clips are the work of the Devil.

Are they bad for canvases or are they just a bit crap? I bought a big tub of them and assumed I was just missing something...

Couldn't use them at all...

I've been savaged by the little buggers so many times. Trouble is, people sometimes remove
canvases from frames and leave the z clips sticking out. Nasty.

Also the thing you are fixing, i.e. the painting, is a thing of value and possible beauty.
Some are a touch delicate. Wacking them with a hammer seems just plain wrong to me.
One slip and you are in a world of grief. Same goes for the frame as well.

If you still have your heart set on using the Z clips, a shield such as this, made from a scrap of aluminium, will save you some grief.

Thank you Prospero for your wisdom.

Sorry for the late response... (just saw this thread, as in December, I am swamped!)

When fitting a stretched Canvas into a frame, one product we like to use are "Clip-Its", which I would assume that at least one UK supplier might have these. They don't do any damage to the canvas or the frame!



Otherwise, having off-sets of various heights on hand works just fine...



Best, John

I haven't come across 'Clip-Its' in UK Framing catalogues or Google. Do they have any other name or identified by the manufacturer's name?

Thanks
Cliff

baughen wrote:I haven't come across 'Clip-Its' in UK Framing catalogues or Google. Do they have any other name or identified by the manufacturer's name? Thanks Cliff

Cliff,

Here they are being sold on Amazon Online...

Listed as a Moore product???

As well as Dick Blick Art Supplies.

And even Michaels Stores....

Ahh, I see that Michael's has them listed with their full trade name, OOK® Canvas Frame Clips

John

I just checked the Lion online Catalog and am really surprised that they don't have these...



I would check with a larger art materials distributor in the UK next...

John

Thank you John. Having the full name I then found them on Amazon UK. I've ordered some to try. All the vendors are from the USA so they will take a week or 2 to arrive.

Regards
Cliff

Cliff,

I was equally as amazed that I couldn't find them in the UK...even got an email reply from one of the larger store and online Artist Materials suppliers with negative results.

Guess I'm surprised as these have been around since the 1980's.... they are easy to use...and work!

When you do use them, please make sure that you post a reply to this thread indicating your perception of the product. Cheers.

John

JohnMcafee wrote:If you still have your heart set on using the Z clips, a shield such as this, made from a scrap of aluminium, will save you some grief.

Blimey, very mission impossible.
I use a piece of waste mountboard...

The Clip-Its arrived a lot earlier than anticipated (Amazon predicted September - anywhere up to 14th). Unfortunately they don't fit - close but not close enough. And I'm not going to chance forcing them as I'm not going to risk damaging the paintings.
If they were the right size they look as though they would do a good, neat job. I also compared using them against some new stretchers. The stretchers need to be between 1.5 and 1.75 inches. I don't know whether they do them for other sizes but Amazon UK only do the one size as far as I can see.