I have a piece of art that was done on 2 pieces of paper. I would like to glue or tape the seam to make it more attached. Any suggestions?

[Coleman 76]

Has anyone else dealt with making the seam less visible before? Have people used tape or glue? What sort?

I plan to have this matted and framed, but want the lifting of the extension to be minimized! Any ideas?

Any help is appreciated!

Your OVGA pal,
Coleman

[Nic 68]

Adding any chemical to the front, in my opinion, is very risky: you don’t know how the painting would react. Glue or tape (with glue) are too risky.

Taping on the back with a pro acid free tape can be done, but you’ll still keep the detached line in the front.

You should ask to a pro restorer.

[Ibrahim_UK 88]

So from your image, I can see that the two Papers have already been glued but have slightly come apart.

If you cannot have this done professionally, as @Nic said, using a Clear PVA conservation-grade glue should do the trick.

A quick search online turned this product up, which has excellent reviews and is used in Bookbindings.

I would get a thin brush, lift the connecting seam, and brush the glue into the crack.

Even though this is a clear PVA, only apply a thin layer. When you place a weight/book on top, you don't want any to spill.
Best work in small sections.

@Nic What do you think of this product?

Quote

Lineco acid-free adhesive has excellent lay-flat properties and dries clear. Easy to use polyvinyl acetate (PVA) formula is fast setting and re-moistenable with water. This adhesive was formulated specifically for preservation materials and will not become brittle with age. Adheres to most porous surfaces.

[Bronty 65]

1 hour ago, Coleman said:

Has anyone else dealt with making the seam less visible before? Have people used tape or glue? What sort?

I plan to have this matted and framed, but want the lifting of the extension to be minimized! Any ideas?

Any help is appreciated!

Your OVGA pal,
Coleman

let's see the rest of the art 😉

If its on two pieces of paper, TBH this may not be a popular opinion but I'd leave it alone.   You could apply some of that glue Ibrahim mentioned to the backside of the art, but personally I wouldn't touch the front, so the seam is always going to be somewhat visible.

1 hour ago, Nic said:

Adding any chemical to the front, in my opinion, is very risky: you don’t know how the painting would react. Glue or tape (with glue) are too risky.

Taping on the back with a pro acid free tape can be done, but you’ll still keep the detached line in the front.

You should ask to a pro restorer.

I see you already said what I had to say 😉

I am in complete agreement with that.   The pigments used on the front may react, so its best to leave the front alone.

[Nic 68]

6 hours ago, Ibrahim_UK said:

 

So from your image, I can see that the two Papers have already been glued but have slightly come apart.

If you cannot have this done professionally, as @Nic said, using a Clear PVA conservation-grade glue should do the trick.

A quick search online turned this product up, which has excellent reviews and is used in Bookbindings.

I would get a thin brush, lift the connecting seam, and brush the glue into the crack.

Even though this is a clear PVA, only apply a thin layer. When you place a weight/book on top, you don't want any to spill.
Best work in small sections.

@Nic What do you think of this product?

I know that rice starch and wheat paste are used as glue for mounting. That glue is sold as acid free, I’m sure it’s a great product, but it’s used for books and for mounting, not for retouching the front of an illustration. I don’t have the knowledge regarding touching the front of a painting. Really, depending on the pigments and the chemical used, anything may happen.

@Coleman, why don’t you frame the painting and block it to the board with good acid free (not buffered!) conservation tape or paper mounting? Who cares if the painting is made of two pieces: it’s part of the game in my opinion. Just keep it together.

[Coleman 76]

Lot's of great insight here! 

I maybe wasn't clear, but I have no intentions of touching the front side of the artwork. I am trying to gather the best way to connect the 2 pieces of paper. I will speak with my framer and see what he says too. 

Thank you everyone for your help!

[Nic 68]

Ah, conservation tape. Easy done.

[Bronty 65]

I like this stuff if you want a recommendation, Coleman.

https://www.uline.ca/Product/Detail/S-15834/Specialty-Tape/Uline-Artist-Tape-1-x-60-yds?pricode=YF975&gadtype=pla&id=S-15834&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsdKbBhDHARIsANJ6-jf0YQITzaA4bBAIU-9wzHsM6Up2HZYRUryZ7yAdXxlyCXDg-T3az2waAm8dEALw_wcB

 

[Nic 68]

My pick Filmoplast P

https://www.ebay.it/itm/371769997938?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=724-53478-19255-0&campid=5338491329&toolid=20006&customid=Cj0KCQiAsdKbBhDHARIsANJ6-jdrsRImsLifVCrLfL5VJt-i_TId-HrYI2PYPHvv1BUIE9j6_qHQvuYaAiEWEALw_wcB

[Coleman 76]

Thank you everyone for all the help! I ended up buying the tape you recommended @Nic as I am based in Sweden. I will address the painting as soon as it arrives. Hope everyone enjoyed the back and forth conversation here as much as I did. So great that I can pick all y'alls brains for information! Thanks again!
-C

[Nic 68]

This is not over yet: show the art!!

[Coleman 76]

I really wanna frame it first. You will see eventually!