How To >> Browse Articles >> How to Frame
How to Restore an Antique Chalk Picture Frame
Article Submitted by:
Account Removed
6 months ago
1
Things You’ll Need:
An antique dealer or art dealer who can appraise your frame
Modeling clay in white or yellow, or whatever color is closest to the color of the frame.
Plaster of Paris
Cold Water
A clean bucket
White craft glue
A pencil
A small knife
fine sandpaper
a plastic spoon or small, cheap paintbrush
Old chalk frames, antique glass and articles made of gypsum composition, which is probably what the frame was actually made of, are highly sought after, in any condition, by museums. If it is recognizable as what it was originally intended to be, somebody may want to buy it from you, and it may be quite valuable. Have it appraised, and if you want to sell it, ask the antique dealer if he or she will take it on consignment, or would like to buy it outright. If you don't want to sell it, and it is valuable, don't repair it. Repairing it, oddly, would be like desecrating it.
2
If, however, you want to proceed, get enough modeling clay to make a mold of the part that most looks like the missing piece. Press the modeling clay over the unbroken part to make a mold. Be sure to make a mold of a little more area than you need so you can make a good join by scraping off the ends and fitting it all together.
3
Carefully remove the clay and reshape it, if necessary, so it holds the correct shape. Block the open ends of the mold with more clay.
4
Mix water and plaster in the plastic bucket, according to package directions. Only make as much as you need, but be sure to make enough. You will need to make a little more after the mold has dried. Clean out any remaining plaster in your bucket. If you intend to re-use it for plaster, you MUST clean it thoroughly, as any plaster left over will cause new plaster mixtures to set up too quickly.
5
Allow the plaster mold to dry. It will become hot to the touch as it cools.
6
Remove the modeling clay. Hold the finished molded piece up to the frame, and mark, with your fingernail or a pencil, the parts on the ends that will have to be cut away in order to make the piece fit into the broken area, if any.
7
Carefully scrape away the excess plaster from the molded piece you have made and fit it into the space in the broken place.
8
Apply the white glue to the broken ends and to the ends of the new piece. Allow to dry slightly, then fit together. Allow the glued piece to dry completely.
9
Mix up a small amount of plaster, just enough to apply to the joined areas of the frame. Apply it VERY THINLY and allow it to dry.
10
Sand the joined areas, very gently, until the joins are no longer visible.
11
If the color of the original frame is white, your job is done, but if it has yellowed with age, or it has been painted, reproduce the color of the original frame as well as you can.
