Frame Repair and Conservation, Tips for Art Collectors

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Art Conservation Questions? Ask Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon 805 564 3438
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[@raycarl99]

The materials being used are some that I never would have thought would be used in this process, such as dentist's molds. It's also really cool to see the careful application of gold foil and how easy Mr. Kotler makes it look!

[@Tiger2004140]

I emailed Scott to discuss a large ornate mirror I had just purchased. He responded within minutes and we spoke on the phone discussing options. Scott and his staff are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely work to provide you the assistance needed. I highly recommend you contact Scott for your restoration needs.

[@ScottMHaskins]

Thanks for reaching out and for leaving a comment. It was nice speaking with you.

[@pattihansen6099]

Awesome description on the repair! Thank you!

[@ScottMHaskins]

Thanks for your comment, Patti

[@mysnellvilleblog]

I had never thought of the shapes on the frames & the gold working as a way to illuminate lighting - Which makes a LOT of sense! Clearly by candlelight and gas light, they didn’t have a way to see the paintings as well. Have you hugged your LED today? Lol! We are so lucky today with all our options.

[@ScottMHaskins]

Thanks for leaving the comment, Darla

[@marshallhosel1247]

Wonderful job. Thanks.

[@ScottMHaskins]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Any suggestions for other videos on this subject?🙂

[@louiZiana-Gurl]

Thank you for this video someone threw out an elaborate frame that looks like this. Looking for help to restore it 🥰

[@ScottMHaskins]

Call me. We can discuss. 805 570 4140 Scott

[@BERNARDFLEMINGART]

Very good video, thanks!

[@ScottMHaskins]

Thanks Bernard.

[@TheFamilyharmony]

Awesome !!!

[@MoreLamp]

thank you !!!!!

[@SirPrancelot1]

On watching the video again I noticed that after the cast replica is shaped, sanded and applied with a thick gesso paste it says, at 1:47, that bole is applied "after layers of gesso are applied". Does this mean that gesso has to be added on top of the cast replica? If so why? Does bole not adhere to dental casting material? It seems odd as the replica should be exactly the right size and adding layers of gesso would make it bigger. Apologies for so many questions but I want to try and repair a couple of frames and would like to do it correctly.

[@ScottMHaskins]

No problem. Usually, the cast is coated with gesso each time its recarved so that the new details will be more precise. Synthetic bole can stick to anything so you may be able to skip the regessoing steps.

[@carolinerussell681]

Thank you very much for the informative video. I think that I could follow all the steps to try to restore my antique frame but I am little unsure about the gesso paste required to stick the dental plaster details to the old gesso. Would that be a true gesso, made with whiting and RSG, or an acrylic gesso?

[@ScottMHaskins]

Caroline, the Plaster of Paris detail that comes out of the mold can be carved to fit then attached with a white glue. Many wood working types would just use a wood glue. In the conservation field there are more stable materials that don't turn yellow or turn gummy with time. There are many qualities of "white glues" so peruse the website for University Products and you can call customer service for a recommendation. If you like, call me to discuss. 805 570 4140 mobile, Scott.

[@carolinerussell681]

@@ScottMHaskins Thank you so much Scott for your reply. I am going to try with wood glue and see how I go. If I go to more ambitious projects with more expensive frames then I will do some more research on the types of glue but thank you so much for guiding me in the right direction.

[@ScottMHaskins]

@@carolinerussell681 Best wishes with your repair.

[@kelymknowles1]

And after all that love and care...back to the basement for the next hundred years or more...so sad.

[@SirPrancelot1]

Some great tips here such as the talcum powder, dental casting material and gesso paste, thank you. Is the clay you use to make the clay mould any special type? Great to know how a professional does it.

[@ScottMHaskins]

Plastellina can be bought at any art supply store. Its easier to mold if you warm it up first. It comes in different colors... Get the white. The colors will rub off on the surface of the frame.

[@SirPrancelot1]

Much appreciate the information. Thank you.

[@Katlick]

0:24 Waiting for the plaster application then BWAAAAA

[@spasapane]

Do conservationists ever use Hyde glue to reattach pieces? Or is there a preferred PVA glue that’s used? When you say gesso paste, is it a special mixture that you make?

[@ScottMHaskins]

Hide glue has been used for millennia and is derived from horse and cow parts. It's still used today and easy to find online. But be careful! Used too concentrated, it can cause damage as it dries an ages. PVA adhesives ( I assume you are talking about emulsions) are often used in frame restoration. There are 1,000s of different kinds and brands. Conservation grade PVA emulsion adhesives shouldn't yellow, are reversible, may be thermoplastic. There are different kinds of gesso pastes like Plaster of Paris.

[@johnwhelan1193]

So is dental casting material Stronger tougher than say plaster of paris.

[@ScottMHaskins]

Yes, its a tougher material for the mold and can be used repeatedly for making an impression if needed. It also gives you better details (higher resolution, lol). But, its more expensive and takes a bit longer.

[@johnwhelan1193]

@@ScottMHaskins Scott very greatful for that Thank you. Could I just ask would I be better to use it on making a statue. I am at present restoring a plaster religious statue 12 inches high. Labour of love? It's about 150 to 200 years old. I have discovered it's signed on back by the original sculpture. I'd like to reproduce this . I was going to do it in plaster of paris witch is what original is. But now I'm thinking dental plaster. And perhaps later in resin .I enjoy restoring stuff . But this figure i love and want to do an A1 job. Be greatful for your advice.

[@janeday9148]

Very clever but surprised you don't use composition which is the original material that would have been used

[@ScottMHaskins]

Yes, the original material was composition but the restoration material is rarely compo, even among professionals. Among non-professionals I've seen them even use white bread doe!

[@michaelflint4159]

You're not using a 2 pac resin to create your mould?

[@ScottMHaskins]

It depends on the details of the area being molded (difficulty or ease in making the mold) and the final result the client wishes to pay for.

[@michaelflint4159]

@@ScottMHaskins ok bud. Just I've been brought on using the 2 pac. Greetings from England

[@ScottMHaskins]

@@michaelflint4159 For instance, many easier, faster reproductions of missing details can can be accomplished with Plastellina. Each material used has specific use and clean up details. Thanks for commenting on this.

[@michaelflint4159]

@@ScottMHaskins always keen to learn from tradespeople of your standard.

[@halibut1249]

Not sure what your links above are supposed to be. There's no access to anything except ads.

[@ScottMHaskins]

Hmmm... thanks. I didn't know that the hosting of TipsForArtCollectors.com was down. Otherwise, the other links worked for me. It was good to know. Thanks again.

[@dannown]

you can see the original video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmHHpWxuqdSXgJI

[@ivorytower99]

Dental casting material? So much easier to use ____ and ____. Two minute job!

[@ScottMHaskins]

Dental casting material (silicone) is great and does a superb job... better detail than gesso. Thanks IvoryTower99. But my experience with newbies is that dental casting silicone (besides being more expensive) is more difficult to handle.

[@ivorytower99]

In my experience at Decor Aldo, under the late master Aldo Pistidda: we used a different compound when restoring frames at the studio.

[@ScottMHaskins]

@@ivorytower99 What compound did you use?

[@ivorytower99]

I'm sorry, but this is a secret - to forever remain in the studio; and in the minds of Aldo's Apprentices.~ Best, Matthew