skip to main content

Trash To Treasure

Old picture frame....need repair help

20 years ago

Hi, I have an old oval picture frame. It is wooden but has a coating of something that looks like thin plaster and that layer is cracking and peeling. I want to completely remove it, leaving just the wood. All of the loose pieces have been removed but I've been unable to get the rest of it off. Does anyone have an idea of how I can do this? Thanks Susan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

mojojojogrlnj
20 years ago
the only way i know of removing plaster from wood is with a 3 in 1 tool and prying it away....you could try the wood work forum they might have a better method...is it possible to sand off the plaster?
sweetpea_2006
Original Author
20 years ago
I have tried the 3 in 1 tool method already. As for sanding, I guess it would work but it would take a while and I'd have to be really careful as there are groves in the wood. Thanks for your suggestions. I might try one of sponge type sandpaper sanders. Thanks, Susan
Related Discussions
repair old washing machine?
Q
Comments (22)
It never even dawned on me to check the wash part of the cycle as well as the drain and spin part but it does not appear to agitate either. Also I cannot rotate the drum by hand in that situation, dadoes, so the brake must still be on. Apparently it's just filling the maching up with water and then draining it out! Is there something that explains these symptoms, that I can still fix myself? I have not gotten to read the manual you linked yet, but I will. Thanks to everyone for your continued help as I try to figure this out so I can fix it myself!
...See More
Old Slate Floor needs major repair
Q
Comments (8)
Hi- i just came across your post while looking for a solution to my problem. Which is very similar to yours! We removed ceramic tile from our mudroom in our MCM home. It was really easy to pop up and guess what was under it all?!?!? Yes!!!! Gorgeous slate tile! Very similar to yours! We had decided to invest in a couple bottles of cement/grout haze remover, sulphamic acid and a couple cans of good ole elbow grease! We still have a lot of efflorescence to work on and some tiles that need to be replaced. (A lucky stop at our local Restore resulted in 30+ tiles to use! We don't need that many but for $6 ...) I have a couple of questions and I am hoping that maybe someone might read this and be able to help. If I recolor the grout will it keep the efflorescence from reappearing? Also the tiles still have a faint bit of efflorescence/grout haze that i just can't get to go! They look great when they're wet soooooo will sealing them keep that haze at bay? swickbb- I hope you had success with your floor!
...See More
Antique pic frame needs help!!
Q
Comments (2)
I dont usually post here but I've finished a few frames that were in bad shape. Let them dry out, keeping them indoors. After that I've used Plaster of Paris mixed rather thick or you can buy Spackling compound and use that. Using a small knife or your fingers you can sometimes fill in the spots that have fallen off. You don n't need to follow the pattern exactly as some are difficult to duplicate. Later you can paint it all one color or use some gold paint for part of the frame. Good Luck !
...See More
Best method to repair an old rocking chair
Q
Comments (6)
Yes, there is a tiny tongue and groove in the seat to aid alignment. This is the same type of joint in hardwood flooring, if you have ever seen that in the rough. It's just on a smaller scale. Whatever glue you use will lubricate the joints and make them slip and slide. Get your clamps lined up in position and do a dry run without the glue first. I'd agree with Casey that epoxy would be a good choice, but if you are novice, I think a 30 minute epoxy will give you more working time to get things together, aligned and clamped. Clean off the epoxy squeeze out when it gets "rubbery" or "gel." I also from time to time, will smear a little Vaseline on the face surfaces to keep the epoxy from bonding there. Remove Vaseline with some mineral spirits (paint thinner) once the epoxy sets up and you've removed the clamps.
...See More
wichitarick
20 years ago
hi
Take a wet warm/hot wash cloth and place it ot wrap it around a section and then rap in plastic ot foil or just a old bread bag and wait for a few hrs.
I would think that over doing this will warp the wood and that you don,t want .
I warm things up in my oven all the time because of the low heat provided by the pilot light I might try this also.
use a little paint stripper in a small place with a rag the same way as the way just put some on heavily and wrap and wait .
but I do know that moisture destroys the plaster because I have the oppisite prob. I have an old mirror from gmas house that was stored in her garage and pcs of the very ornate frame came off and will need replaced ,and moisture is what made them come loose.
but as a wood worker I also know that just moisture in low levels(my basement) will warp dry wood and frames are not much good bent.
if it all come loose I would definitly use a stripper for the final steps in finishing . Rick

Related Stories

UNIVERSAL DESIGN My Houzz: Universal Design Helps an 8-Year-Old Feel at Home

By Becki Peckham

An innovative sensory room, wide doors and hallways, and other thoughtful design moves make this Canadian home work for the whole family

SELLING YOUR HOUSE Help for Selling Your Home Faster — and Maybe for More

By Laura Gaskill

Prep your home properly before you put it on the market. Learn what tasks are worth the money and the best pros for the jobs

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House

By Mink Home Staging

As with the kitchen, the bathroom is always a high priority for home buyers. Here’s how to showcase your bathroom so it looks its best

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 5 Savvy Fixes to Help Your Home Sell

By Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist

Get the maximum return on your spruce-up dollars by putting your money in the areas buyers care most about

REMODELING GUIDES Wisdom to Help Your Relationship Survive a Remodel

By Mitchell Parker

Spend less time patching up partnerships and more time spackling and sanding with this insight from a Houzz remodeling survey

BATHROOM DESIGN Key Measurements to Help You Design a Powder Room

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Clearances, codes and coordination are critical in small spaces such as a powder room. Here’s what you should know

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Look under, over and inside to find places for everything you need to keep

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: See the Bathroom That Helped a House Sell in a Day

By Annie Thornton

Sophisticated but sensitive bathroom upgrades help a century-old house move fast on the market

HOME TECH Picture This: Your Digital Photos Deserve Frames Too

Decorate with family memories — and swap them out in an instant — with frames made just for showing and sharing digital photos

Sponsored

28 Reviews

Franklin County's Preferred Custom Cabinetry & Design Studio

More Discussions

Experience with PlayerBoost

0