The Problem with MDF

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Tue 27 Nov, 2007 8:34 pm

This came in today.
Customer bought it 12 years ago. It hung in a farmhouse in North Wales for 10 years. The last 2 years in a fairly new house in West Cornwall.

It wasnt until husband knocked it off the wall (????) that they noticed there was a problem with it..

Inside a Ltd Ed print by a fairly well known Welsh Artist, ruined. Taped all round to the back of the double mount with masking tape.
No barrier paper/board between the artwork and the MDF backing.

First image is the outside of the MDF

Second image is of the inside of the MDF. Notice the Spoors and mould

Third image is a side on view of the MDF backing, showing the rater large 'bow' in the middle...

The artwork.. ---- well it will need a week to dry naturally before anything can be done to it...

JFeig · Post by **JFeig** » Tue 27 Nov, 2007 9:23 pm

Is the client willing to have the art disinfected and cleaned by an art conservator?

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Tue 27 Nov, 2007 10:05 pm

After I opened the frame in front of her, she was to say the least - 'speechless' at the state of it all.

No in fact, quite annoyed. "He broke it. He can pay to get it fixed"

So, I think so...

markw · Post by **markw** » Wed 28 Nov, 2007 12:34 am

John - this also shows the importance of using bumpers - there is one grim reality about hanging pictures against damp walls - it will create problems - mdf going moldy being one of the worst. With the nasty weather we had here in the summer I am getting in loads of similar clean up jobs.

Its amazing how many packs of felt bumpers I sell once customers understand how important they are.

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Wed 28 Nov, 2007 7:57 pm

Mark
To my surprise there were bumpers on the back. Cork ones, doubled up and on each corner as well.

As the lady said though. Not much point really when the walls are like the Alps on their sides.