Hi all,
Another of the many projects I have to do is to frame my buttonhole from my wedding of 2 years ago. I've made the box frame with spacer etc - when reading how to frame a similar item in "Pure Agony", Pete advises that silica gel should be put in the frame to help with moisture.
Has anyone any thoughts on where the gel should go - all I can think is to router out a small slot in the spacer and put some in there, or knotch out a bit of the back of the spacer.
Should I also seal the back of the frame with silicone sealant?
Thanks
Silica Gel in the frame - whereabouts?
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Bagel Framer
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Roboframer
A few words from Hugh Phibbs
"Please remember that silica gel is just a sponge. It can take up water or give it off, but it is useful for even out changes in climate in highly sealed enclosures, but if it is in a continually damp place, it will only increase the capacity of the frame to hold moisture. Making a frame that can protect a sheet of paper in a contiunally damp setting will require sealing a vapor-barrier film to a sheet of glass. The contents of the package must be properly conditioned, before the package is sealed. Descriptions of this can be found at pictureframingmagazine.com, in the articles index, among the preservation supplements."
"Climate buffering materials (silica gel, wood, cotton, etc.) are simply sponges. They will take up or give up moisture depending on their surroundings.
When we think of them as dessicants, we may imagine them only in their role as absorbers and forget that they work both ways. They are only useful in enclosures that are not completely sealed.
If the package has a vapor barrier seal, matting materials are likely to succeed in modifying its conditions as temperature changes.
If the package in poorly sealed, the climate buffer can become too wet or dry. If the package is mostly sealed, the added climate buffer will protect its initial conditioning as conditions change, without.
These materials will only function properly, when surround conditions vary. If the environment is too wet or dry, and the package leaks, its interior will wet up or dry out and the climate buffers will help maintain those dangerous conditions."
"Please remember that silica gel is just a sponge. It can take up water or give it off, but it is useful for even out changes in climate in highly sealed enclosures, but if it is in a continually damp place, it will only increase the capacity of the frame to hold moisture. Making a frame that can protect a sheet of paper in a contiunally damp setting will require sealing a vapor-barrier film to a sheet of glass. The contents of the package must be properly conditioned, before the package is sealed. Descriptions of this can be found at pictureframingmagazine.com, in the articles index, among the preservation supplements."
"Climate buffering materials (silica gel, wood, cotton, etc.) are simply sponges. They will take up or give up moisture depending on their surroundings.
When we think of them as dessicants, we may imagine them only in their role as absorbers and forget that they work both ways. They are only useful in enclosures that are not completely sealed.
If the package has a vapor barrier seal, matting materials are likely to succeed in modifying its conditions as temperature changes.
If the package in poorly sealed, the climate buffer can become too wet or dry. If the package is mostly sealed, the added climate buffer will protect its initial conditioning as conditions change, without.
These materials will only function properly, when surround conditions vary. If the environment is too wet or dry, and the package leaks, its interior will wet up or dry out and the climate buffers will help maintain those dangerous conditions."
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Bill Henry
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As John points out silica gel absorbs moisture, but once saturated looses its ability to absorb more unless it is heated and the moisture is driven out.
If you use it in a frame, try to make provisions so that it can be removed easily and frequently, so that the desiccant can be replenished. Not easy or practical IMO. In my opinion, I would avoid using it.
For those who don’t know Hugh, he is a conservator for the National Gallery of Art (I think) in Washington, D.C.. He is the resident expert for conservation issues on The Grumble. His advice is usually taken as gospel.
If you use it in a frame, try to make provisions so that it can be removed easily and frequently, so that the desiccant can be replenished. Not easy or practical IMO. In my opinion, I would avoid using it.
For those who don’t know Hugh, he is a conservator for the National Gallery of Art (I think) in Washington, D.C.. He is the resident expert for conservation issues on The Grumble. His advice is usually taken as gospel.
Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent! – Porky Pine
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Lemon_Drop
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I have not read Pete Bingham's book so I dont know if its the way people pick things up are maybe its a printing error.
The use of silica gel is not that pratical inside a frame as pointed out by others. It has to be dried out from time to time. Maybe a false sliding bottom in the frame that would slide out might be an idea. But a bit of hassle and in the end not worth the bother.
Where the typing or printing error in the book might happen is that along with Air Drying , Glycerine and Pressing and the use of Silica Gel are the most popular method for preserving flowers.
So it could happen that it was that point that Pete Bingham was referring to, and somehow got lost among the people checking the script and the Printers.
Silica Gel absorbs moisture from flowers rapidly, thus preserving flower colour better than other drying methods.
Any questions on preserving flowers, I will pass them on to my sister, shes been doing it for years.
The use of silica gel is not that pratical inside a frame as pointed out by others. It has to be dried out from time to time. Maybe a false sliding bottom in the frame that would slide out might be an idea. But a bit of hassle and in the end not worth the bother.
Where the typing or printing error in the book might happen is that along with Air Drying , Glycerine and Pressing and the use of Silica Gel are the most popular method for preserving flowers.
So it could happen that it was that point that Pete Bingham was referring to, and somehow got lost among the people checking the script and the Printers.
Silica Gel absorbs moisture from flowers rapidly, thus preserving flower colour better than other drying methods.
Any questions on preserving flowers, I will pass them on to my sister, shes been doing it for years.