Hello all,
I've a question about doing your own framing. I've been having a lot of problems with getting the dustcover smooth. I' ve been
using frames that are made of resin or molded plastic and have tried various ways to attach the dustcover including double sided tape, rubber cement, and Elmer's glue. While the tape and the glue have worked well they still separate whenever I'm doing an outside show and there's any humidity in the air. Also while I spray down the dustcover after attaching and it tightens up smooth in most cases there are plenty of times when it does not tighten up very smoothly. What am I missing here?
I'd appreciate any help with this one.
Thanks so much!
Maria Oliva Tyra
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Replies
I just found this thread, but have a question about dust covers. My problem using the black kraft paper has been wear and tear. I'm always finding on with a finger punch through it, or maybe a corner of another frame hit it while packing or hanging. Does anyone have any opinions about using card stock instead of kraft paper? I was framing two for a show this weekend and instead of using the paper I used the stiffer card stock. Actually, one of them was a scrap of mat board.
I will also look into the Tyvek. I've been using ATG with the kraft paper. Be sure to get the acid free type.
Jim,
If you don't mind my asking, what is the spray / shrink product you are talking about? I use wood supports that I build, and have a challenge getting any type of framing tape to stick to the wood (I paint the raw wood on the back). I use the heavy duty craft paper, staple on the paper, and then use a foil tape (used for house insulation) to seal the back. Like Maria, my paper looks wrinkled sometimes, and I am wondering if you think this spray would work.
The proper way to fasten a dustcover is to run 1/2" to 3/4" wide ATG tape around all four edges of the frame back. Flip your frame over onto an oversize piece of dustcover material lying flat on your work surface. Make sure the frame is centered and let one of the long edges contact the dustcover. Making sure that the dustcover is smooth then lay the rest of frame down. It's kind of a hinging action. Burnish the dustcover to the frame using your finger or a tool. Then trim the cover slightly inside the edges of the frame using a sharp exacto blade or a tool designed for trimming dustcovers. If you're using Kraft paper a light mist of water overall will draw it tight as the water dries. The hardest part is keeping the paper flat when you lay the frame on top of it. Precut the paper a few inches larger than the frame so you have a little room to spare.
Stapling it is going to give you uneven stress points if you try to wet and shrink it. If done properly, you shouldn't need to tape anything. If you're having problems getting adhesive to stick to the wood, rough up the paint with sandpaper or leave it unfinished.
Thanks Jim, I will try the water. Most of my work I don't frame, I work directly on the wood support. I have been told I don't need the dustcover on the back, but I just think it looks more professional. I will try the ATG tape, but so far, everything but the foil tape has just rolled up on the edges.
I use ATG tape and Tyvek. I don't worry about spraying it to tighten it up. Tyvek is stable enough that most times it looks fine without the spray/shrink step that I used to use with kraft paper. It's expensive to use Tyvek, but I like the look of the black Tyvek with my black frames.
Chances are no type of glue is going to adhere well to your frames, as they sound like they're non-porous. For glue to stick well to the frame, it needs to let the glue assimilate into the pores. Since you're using plastic frames, they ain't porous. You might try a rubber-type sealant, like E6000. Super Glue would probably also work.
Thanks Jim for the advice. I'll give the ATG tape a try. I'm not sure about Tyvek…never heard of it. I was using a black kraft paper with my black frames to begin with and I did like the look of it too. Perhaps I'd like the Tyvek as well then. Where would I find it?
United Manufacturers carries it.