Do You Trust Your Custom Picture Framer?
To Trust or Not To Trust
This was a perfect example of trusting in the quality of the product you are buying! I didn't show the finished piece because I don't want to shame anyone or any particular shop. But, as a customer, you need to know that just because it looks good on the outside doesn't mean it was framed correctly! Yes, there's a place for purely decorative framing, but a military remembrance piece should be done to the highest standards because it's something the family will keep for future generations. This was a pretty nice-looking shadowbox containing a small flag, certificate, and photo. The design was well done.
Please Fix It
The main issue is that the glass had fallen "into" the shadowbox and needed to be re-affixed into the frame. I also noticed that the mat was buckled up in places around the certificate and photo openings.
So when I took it apart, I found several things that should have been done differently.... 1. Glass. Why had it fallen in? Because it was glued into the frame with Hot Glue. 2. Buckled Mat. Mat was not properly stacked as part of the whole package and tension caused it to buckle. 3. Flag was messily folded and points were driven through the fabric in spots.
The Fix is In
Get rid of the Hot Glue!! There's a lot of chemistry involved like bonding temp, set time, expansion/contraction, thermal transfer, etc. Bottom line is hot glue doesn't stick long term to glass. I would have used quarter round as a mechanical fix but there wasn't space the way the box was designed, so I used an appropriate adhesive. I also isolated the flag with a separate backer to protect it from the fasteners. The whole piece is in a little better shape than when it was brought in!
Happy Customer
I of course told my customer everything I had found and what I did to fix it all. She was very happy with the outcome, and I hope she and her family get to enjoy this piece for many years to come!
