The Reasons We Don’t Recommend Recycling the Existing Fabrics
Sometimes, our clients ask us if it is possible to reuse and remount the existing fabrics. It’s the question everyone should have thought of once. Some clients love the existing mount fabrics or have special memory so they would like to keep them. Other clients simply think it would reduce the remounting cost because we don’t need to prepare the fabrics our end. Regrettably, our answer to the question is “No, we do not recommend recycling old fabrics.” For the reasons, please read our comments below;
Recycling the Existing Fabrics
1. Complex and Costly Procedure:
We need to remove old backings from the existing fabrics, then apply new backings. This is totally the same process we do with the painting during the remounting procedure. Both removing and re-apply backing paper take extra labor and time so there will be an additional charge. Besides, it depends on the fabric condition if the existing fabrics are reusable or not.
2. Appearance :
Though it is labor taking, time-consuming and costly, it won’t look nice. If the fabrics are worn out, there will be some areas that are not suitable for reuse. Also, the finished size of the existing fabrics will become 1 size smaller due to the need of cutting. (to make right angle cuts just like the painting.)
3. Durability :
In most cases, old mounting fabrics are worn out and will result in inadequate durability of the finished scroll
For the above reasons, we have come to a conclusion that we had better decline the clients’ request unless they really want to do it and, in the agreement that there is the risk, an extra charge and longer lead time. Please let us be clear that recycling the existing mount fabric is not impossible. The technique is often chosen for repairing National Important Cultural Property. Therefore, we normally remount the painting with new fabrics for most of our clients.