I was framing yesterday for a show, and went to use a set of 1/8" Plexiglas pieces in my frames. These were normal inexpensive pieces of Lucite ES purchased from the local hardware store. I wasn't looking for anything glareproof, so figured this would suffice.
Most artists know that Plexiglas has advantages over glass because it is lightweight and shatterproof, but is much more prone to scratching. What I hadn't realized was that the stuff from the hardware store would have so many imperfections-- little black flecks embedded in the plastic that make it look like there is dirt trapped inside the frame. I'm no perfectionist, in fact I'm barely an adequatist, and I could only use one of the six pieces I had purchased. I guess I'm going to have to investigate whether there are different grades of Plexiglas, because Lucite ES isn't going to cut the mustard.
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2 comments:
well that's a good thing to know. I wouldn't have thought there would be embedded specks.
I look forward to your "product test" post. It will save me money when (if) I ever frame anything.
I'm more of a hang it on the wall without framing. (even when my Mom gave me $50 bucks to frame a painting she had commissioned for us kids...long story)
Hey, if I didn't tell you I got the cake postcard. Love it!! Now those I will put in a picture frame, together... tea and cake by Nat
Dawn,
Glad you like the postcards. One thing I will say about the plexiglas "speck" problem-- it wouldn't really be an issue if there wasn't a white mat or a lot of light fields in the pictures. The specks would have been camoflaged by the painted areas, they were just really visible against plain white. I think professional framers must be using a different grade of plexi.
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