The Framers Forum

Hi folks

Wondering if anyone has a suggestion of how to finish the back of Aluminium frame?

There’s usually a rebate for the backing board, slots in nicely, however, will brown gum paper stay on the powered coated aluminium?

Looking to frame to a conservation/museum level

Any advice welcome

Many thanks

Thomas

If you tape up the reverse face of an aluminium frame, it does not leave you anywhere to fasten your hanging hardware, which I would suspect is not a great idea. Gummed brown paper tape is designed to stick to porous surfaces, which is something that it does very well. powder coated aluminium frames will not provide the necessary porous surface, therefore expecting the gummed brown paper tape to stay stuck is not likely to be sucessful.

I think that you might need a change of plan to enable this to work.

Thanks, I didn’t think it was right, any suggestions? Lion sell a black crepe tape, frames are black

The best way in my opinion is to tape around the Glass/Mount/Backer package with P-90 or some-such 'quality' tape.
This will prevent creepy-crawlies and dust getting in. I do this on all glazed frames.

Taping the backs of frames is largely a cosmetic exercise an doesn't really have a bearing on the 'conservation' aspect.
It is a bit futile and unnecessary to try and paper metal frames.

I see that sound like a solution, thank you.

Unfortunately, the design in question has a slot fir the glass and slot for backing board, set spaces. I’d need to find another design

Thanks
Thomas

I know of no-one in N America that applies a dust cover or tape to the back of an extruded aluminum frame.

Thanks, good to know, maybe I’m trying too hard, just used to taping up!