PACIN Archived ListServ Conversations

DENGLASS

From: Mark Starling <mark.starling@pacart.ca>
Subject: A few words from the Denglas Technologies

To close the book on this subject or maybe, just to turn to the next chapter...
Here is the response I received from Denglas Technologies to my questions about coatings and taping Denglas.

"I am sorry this response has taken so long. It is safe to use electrical tape on Denglas. We are conducting research into other tapes, however at this time we only recommend electrical tape. This product will not harm the coating. Our Anti-reflective coating is on both sides of our products. Therefore it does not matter which side you place facing the art, or which side the tape is used on. In addition, there are no special cleaners necessary for cleaning our glass."

I am not sure how to proceed from a business point of view, black electrical tape sounds like an expensive and time consuming method to follow. In addition, I am not sure how it would be perceived when things are received by our clients without explanation.
I would like to thank everyone for their comments and participation.

Best regards,
Mark Starling
Managing Director

Comment from: bryan <bryan@cookescrating.com>

The gentleman is wrong about electrical tape being safe. We have tried a variety of electrical tapes on Denglas and all of them have marred the surface coating. We used to be able to use the old fashioned black cloth electrical tape on Denglas and followed the procedure for years successfully. However, someone must have changed either adhesive formulas, or glass coating formulas, because the last several times we have used this tape it ruined the glass coating. These have been expensive problems which all Pacin members should be aware of.

Mark, perhaps you should ask the Denglas rep what brands of electrical tape he would recommend and if his company has actually tested them recently.

Bryan Cooke

Comment from: Delfino, Nicole <nicole.delfino@mnhs.org>

Actually, I think electrical tape is pretty cheap and very accessible - just narrow. Also, there are colored electrical tapes, so you are not limited to black - I do not see why it would look any less professional than blue masking tape or anything else you might have otherwise used on regular glass. You could also print a mini-blurb to attach over the taped surface explaining why you use that kind of tape, so your clients don't tape the Denglas with something else at a later time (?).

G. Nicole Delfino
Central Registrar
Minnesota Historical Society
345 Kellogg Boulevard West
St. Paul, MN 55102-1906

phone: (651) 297-1250
fax: (651) 296-9961
email: nicole.delfino@mnhs.org
MHS webpage: http://www.mnhs.org/

Comment from: monte martin <monte@nerwinandmartin.com>

Steve, pacin had many emails about this subject months ago which I have saved and can go back and retrieve those for you and forward them to you if you would like.

The other thing that is quite simple and that is just taking the glass out, packing it separately and then at the receiving end they can reinsert the glass. The other thing this does is just create cheap insurance. In the case that it should break in transit, the art has no change of being damaged by the glass. I may have a bias to it since we have a framing department that frames exclusively for museums, galleries and collectors, but we find this a very easy solution.

monte martin
nerwin&martin, inc.,
Fine Art Products and Services

Comment from: TY ART - Museum Quality Art Services <tyart@excite.com>...

Several months ago I encountered this same issue. After many phone calls and a few hours later I finally had a concensus from fellow art handlers, conservators, framers, and curators that we should tape the glass but only with a glass tape. The tape is a 3M product and the product # is 0335 2pnz. I believe the 0335 is the only number necessary but the other is included just in case. However, it was highly recommended to remove the tape as soon as possible once received. My friend who has been a museum framer for many years, mentioned to try to determine the age of the glass. If it was an older piece of denglass, it should not be taped at all. If the glass was newer , the coating is done differently and can be taped. I thought she had mentioned a "prior to" date if anyone knows that answer? So here's one more answer to add to the undefinable term of art handling.

Good Luck,
Kyle Young
Tyart
1303 N. 1st. St.
Bellaire, TX 77401

Comment from: Mike Hascall <mikeh@artechseattle.com>

We tape all glass with frisket paper. Much easier for someone to have to replace a piece of Denglas than damage a potentially very valuable artwork.

Mike Hascall
Artech Fine Art Services
Seattle
425.264.0221