How to Remove a Painting from a Frame

Co-authored by Mark Weiser

Last Updated: August 6, 2024 References

Sometimes it is necessary to reframe a painting due to its value, uniqueness or in order to transport it compactly. Instead of throwing away the work of art, removing and reframing can give a picture a renewed display time.

Steps

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If serious, you may need to hire a professional restorer.
Determine the method of attachment. Removal is reversal of assembly.^{[1]
X
Research source}

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4
Remove staples, nails or screws from back of frame.^{[2]
X
Research source} It is not necessary to take out the staples holding the stretcher bar itself.
- Use pliers to remove the staples if they don't come out easily.^{[3]
  X
  Research source} Continue around the back of the picture.
5
Carefully wedge in the screwdriver to get a grip on the spline.
6
Remove the spline from all the way around the painting.
7
Pull any staples/nails found holding the canvas to the frame, being careful not to rip the canvas material too much. It may need to be re-attached to another stretcher bar if the current one is not reusable.
8
Gently push the canvas backward or frame forward to separate from each other.
9
Slowly poke under the canvas.^{[4]
X
Research source} The wood stretcher bar holds the canvas giving it shape. There is a crevice into which the spline used to fit, pinching the canvas taut. This is the same principle a screen door uses.
10
Continue around the edge of the frame/picture. There may be many years that the canvas has been pressed folded. It is not glued to the wood, but may be stuck slightly.
^{[5]
X
Research source} Wrap loosely so paint does not chip and break off.

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Question

Will my canvas rip if I undo it from the frame and staple it on again?

Yasemin Martina Bonelli

Community Answer

The best way to remove a painting from a frame is to turn it to the back, gently remove the platform holding it in, and remove the painting. If you don't follow this process, it will probably rip.

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Question

I'm hoping to reuse the frame of a cheap canvass for another painting, but it seems to be glued. What should I do?

Community Answer

Use a tool to gently pry the glue from the frame so you can reuse it.

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Can you take a canvas photo out of its frame and put into a normal photo frame?

Hitasha Kothari

Community Answer

Ease the painting toward one side of the frame while lifting the other side on an angle. Lift it slowly and gently. If you encounter resistance, the paint may be stuck to the frame. Avoid pressing your fingers against the paint surface or against the back of the canvas to take it out from its frame. Though putting a painting in a normal photo frame is not highly recommended, measure the length and breadth of the photo frame and cut the painting according to the size. Put a setting spray or something that keeps the paint intact and avoid touching the painting how much ever possible and be gentle. Then you can slide it gently into the frame.

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Tips

Some canvas art is actually adhered directly to the inside back of the frame.

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If the painting was framed before it was completely dry it could have adhered to the frame. In some cases it takes a full year for oils to dry. Use care separating the painting from the inside back of the frame to avoid pulling the paint away from the canvas. There may also be an indentation in the paint where the frame had been. Be sure these indentations are covered with your new frame.

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Warnings

Whenever rolling a painting on canvas, always roll with the paint surface on the outside of the roll. Rolling the paint surface inwards causes the paint film to compress, and can cause it to visibly crack apart when unrolled. Rolling the paint surface outwards will cause the paint surface to crack apart, but the cracks will fit together neatly when unrolled.

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Also keep in mind that if the painting is directly up against glass, (which it should not be if framed correctly) that it might be stuck to the glass. Be very careful separating the two.

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Keep the canvas on its support (stretcher bar) unless there is a compelling reason for removing it. There is risk of damaging it while removing it. Plus, the painting may be damaged when re-stretched later. Many paint repairs can be done without removing it from the supports.

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If the artwork is old, or of great value; you may want to hire an insured expert trained in properties of ancient paint to do the job.

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