The Framers Forum

Hi all.
I'm sure this is a bread and butter question for most of you, but as a relatively new framer, a first for me.
I've received these two water colours for reframing. For scale, they're in the 700mm x 600mm region. They have about 4 layers of masking tape on them, which has deteriorated.
I've removed all the outer layers, but I'm left with a mixture of... Tape that is stuck fairly well and sticky residue where the tape has come away. The end result needs to be a hinged window mount.
What would best practice be here please? The tape isn't water based. Oh boy have I tried!

It’s not bread and butter for most framers, safe removal of that much tape and its residue is best left to a paper conservator.

If you’re OK with practicing on someone else’s property then a heat gun - a crafters one, not a decorators one, can help and so can “zest it” - then this for the residue

https://www.preservationequipment.com/C ... -Removal-2

Have a look through PEL’s other conservation products while you’re there.

For things like this I normally slice around the edge of the paper so I'm left with the item to frame and whatever tape is on the back.
I will try to pull off the old tape or even use a blade in between to see if it comes off easily, but I don't see the need to remove it at all costs.
I then hinge to the undermount as is.

Thanks both of you. I'll certainly look at the preservation equipment site as that's a new one to me. Most of the tape has just pulled away leaving the layer stuck to the paper. I'm ok with leaving the sides and bottom, it's just the top edge. I'll get the adhesive remover and try that

Are you concerned that your hinge adhesive won’t like the tape/residue?

If you’re ok with leaving three sides with tape and/or residue on, then leave all four sides like it and don’t hinge it, use a platform mount or edge mounting strips.

If the tape comes off easily because it's dried out and doesn't leave any stickiness, then I'll remove it. Otherwise I slice round the edges, leaving the remaining tape on the art paper, and then I use V-mount strips to fix it to the undermount instead of hinging it.