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Author Topic: Getting rid of dust before framing  (Read 6288 times)

Guigui

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Getting rid of dust before framing
« on: June 13, 2009, 06:03:19 am »

Hello,

I'm looking for a way to make sure that there is absolutely no dust on the print (and on the mat) before I frame it. I know Michael uses a very soft brush in his tutorial (from Camera to Print), but I was looking for a more efficient way of getting rid of dust.
Yesterday I bought a "Dry air dust cleaner", which is a bottle of compressed dry and neutral non-flammable gas which looks like this one :



Thanks,
G.

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buckshot

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Getting rid of dust before framing
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2009, 08:15:59 am »

These are great: http://www.lionpic.co.uk/product/STATIC-WI...-WIRE,8965.aspx

And to finish everything up before you seal the frame, one of these can prevent a lot of frustration: http://kinetronics.com/store/SGXL.html
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Alan Goldhammer

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Getting rid of dust before framing
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2009, 08:25:22 am »

I use a horsehair dust brush (also called a draftsman duster) and it works well.  It also serves double duty to brush any loose particles from matte inkjet paper before it gets loaded into the printer.  I brush both the print and matboard with this prior to framing.  I also wash the acrylite glazing in dilute dish detergent and dry it with a microfiber cloth.  I don't end up with any dust problems.

From what you say in your post, the propellant in the can is HFC 134A, an environmentally friendly refridgerant.  It is a non reactive chemical but it is unclear whether there migh be any other chemical impurities in the can that could be deposited on your print.
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dct123

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neile

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Getting rid of dust before framing
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2009, 02:42:09 pm »

I don't recommend using cans of compressed air at all. It is far too easy to hold it in slightly the wrong orientation and to have propellant come out and spatter on your lovely print.

I simply clean my glass or plexi with the appropriate type of cleaner using a lint-free WypAll cloth. I use the speckgrabber thingies another poster mentioned to get rid of the little bits of dust that might get trapped in the frame.

Neil
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bill t.

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Getting rid of dust before framing
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2009, 02:59:27 pm »

Good procedure helps a lot too.  Just after cleaning your glazing lay the art package face down on the glazing.  Flip it over so you can see the artwork.  Slip a book under the art + glazing.  Go over the whole thing with a bright flashlight held close.  If you find a flub, slightly lift the glass just enough to get a sheet of clean paper underneath to push out the flub, or use your cotton-covered fingers to attack larger flubs, or lift the glass a little more than blast away with the air.  Whenever you raise the glazing be careful not to drag its edge over the print or matte!  Then lower the frame over the artwork.

PS if you are using acrylic glazing wipe in down & then polish on both sides with Novus #1, will completely kill the static charges on the acrylic for some time to come.

PS I have found the perfect solution to almost all framing woes which is to simply say NO to the traditional glass sarcophagus treatment.  Mounted, coated canvas in a frame with no matte or glazing, it was a Eureka moment for me.  Sells like hotcakes.
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Paul Roark

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Getting rid of dust before framing
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2009, 11:52:11 am »

Acrylic static is the worst enemy, in my view, and it is best dealt with by http://www.brillianize.com/ cleaner and a microfine cloth.

I avoid canned air.  A large bulb blower avoids the risk of condensation and too strong a blast.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com
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Guigui

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Getting rid of dust before framing
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2009, 06:54:00 am »

Thanks everyone for their replies !

Like neile said, the propellant often leaks from the bottle when used at the wrong angle. I will definitely invest in an anti-static brush. Thanks for all the suggested links, but I think I'll try to find one at a French framing supplies dealer so as to avoid extra shipping costs from foreign countries.

Guillaume.
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Alan Goldhammer

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Getting rid of dust before framing
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2009, 09:43:59 am »

As a chemist I'm always interested in the formulation of products and their claims.  Here's what I've found out about the two cleaners mentioned.  Novus #1 is simply a diluted isopropyl alcohol solution; Brillianize contains methy paraben a common preservative and a small amount of "proprietary ingredients" that are non-toxic according to the material safety data sheet.  The website notes that it doesn't contain any alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate (a common detergent) or "less expensive chemicals found in many household cleaners."  I haven't been able to find any citation for how these products are tested for their "anti static" properties.  It would be interesting to know this so that various "home" brews could be evaluated.

What is clear is that both products are extremely expensive compared to the do it yourself approach that I've been using for framing.  I've also found that a slightly damp microfiber cloth is perfectly good for day to day cleaning of the outer surface.
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