Home Forums Explore Media Watercolor The Learning Zone How to get staples out?

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  • #990636
    Celia Blanco
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        Hi, :wave:
        I just finished my first stretched watercolor-a portrait. I would like to get the staples out but am worried about rips in the paper. I would love to hear suggestions from more experienced people before destroying my painting. The paper is stapled to a piece of nontreated wood. Thank you in advance for any input.

        [FONT=Century Gothic]Celia

        http://watercolors-celiablanco.blogspot.it/
        [/I][/COLOR]

        #1182100
        Bevahlee
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            Might try an ice pick under the paper to loosen the staple, then a small flathead screwdriver. that’s what I use.

            #1182101
            ona
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                is it around the outside of the painting or in the painting itself? I use staples but always staple on a generous border and then trim this section off.

                #1182093

                I use the point of a pen knife to lever them out with no damage to the paper.

                Doug


                We must leave our mark on this world

                #1182104
                janinco
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                    Very thin staples can be removed with a knife but if they are heavier than office staples you can get a staple remover from the hardware store. Some are even magnetic.

                    I staple my paper onto Gator Board and the staples are very easy to remove. I’ve never tried stapling to wood for painting, but I’ve pulled thousands when removing carpet and the tool is definitely better for that.

                    Jan

                    #1182105
                    Celia Blanco
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                        These are all great suggestions. Gator board is unfortunately not available here in Italy, which I imagine is an ideal surface ,it being so soft. Cutting around the paper sounds great. I didn’t leave an enourmous border but will do it next time. Maybe I should ask first and then do- but I was so eager to start my painting. The surface was much better and I didn’t get any buckling so I will try again.
                        Thank you again!

                        [FONT=Century Gothic]Celia

                        http://watercolors-celiablanco.blogspot.it/
                        [/I][/COLOR]

                        #1182096
                        Neeman
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                            A small needle nose plier works very well
                            Better a small Vise Grip needle nose

                            Grip the top of the staple
                            Twist slightly, like using a screw driver
                            This loosens the pins from the wood
                            Then the staple pull straight out of the wood

                            No damage to the paper

                            #1182097
                            juneto
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                                I use a Screw -Driver that has a Thin edge to it . A Cheap one if possible, just for that purpose .
                                June:) :wave:

                                Follow your Bliss and the Universe will open doors for you , where there were only walls. Joseph Campbell


                                http://blogmomcom.blogspot.com/

                                #1182103
                                FLNH
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                                    Agree with June. Once loosened, I remove the staples as Neeman suggested. When I Use the screwdriver tip in I go from the painting side to the external edge, that is, pointed away from the painting so if it slips, I won’t damage the painting. It sounds complicated but it isn’t with a little practice.

                                    Karl
                                    Florida, New Hampshire
                                    USA

                                    #1182106
                                    Celia Blanco
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                                        I’ve used a fine tip screwdriver and it got the staples out no rips to the paper.
                                        I appreciate the generous nature of the members in this forum. Thank you for your helpful insight.

                                        [FONT=Century Gothic]Celia

                                        http://watercolors-celiablanco.blogspot.it/
                                        [/I][/COLOR]

                                        #1182098
                                        Saint Ragdoll
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                                            I have uses a screwdriver, a knife blade qnd a staple remover to pull the staples out of gator board and wood canvas stretching frames. The staple remover is the best, in my opinion. And I bought the staple remover cheap on ebay.
                                            Celia, have you tried wetting 140 pound watercolor paper and stretching it on to the wood stretcher frames that oil painters stretch canvas on? When the paper tries it is very tight and wonderful to paint on, as well as being very lightweight.

                                            Teresa
                                            Saint Ragdoll

                                            #1182094
                                            hblenkle
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                                                There are several different types of staple removers. Which one do you prefer? Or can you elaborate on some good ones?

                                                #1182107
                                                Celia Blanco
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                                                    I have uses a screwdriver, a knife blade qnd a staple remover to pull the staples out of gator board and wood canvas stretching frames. The staple remover is the best, in my opinion. And I bought the staple remover cheap on ebay.
                                                    Celia, have you tried wetting 140 pound watercolor paper and stretching it on to the wood stretcher frames that oil painters stretch canvas on? When the paper tries it is very tight and wonderful to paint on, as well as being very lightweight.

                                                    Teresa
                                                    Saint Ragdoll

                                                    :thumbsup:Teresa, I never thought about stretching it onto a wood stretcher for canvas. My thouht is that the paper would rip through but I will try and experiment. You realize there is always so much to know about watercolor, it is incredible! Do you then keep it on the stretcher once finished? Or take it off and reuse the stretcher? This is a nice way to be able to work on multiple paintings at once.I will look into finding a staple remover, sounds like a good option as well. Someone mentioned a magnetic one. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!:clap:

                                                    [FONT=Century Gothic]Celia

                                                    http://watercolors-celiablanco.blogspot.it/
                                                    [/I][/COLOR]

                                                    #1182095
                                                    hblenkle
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                                                        https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1190872&highlight=gallery+wrapped

                                                        Ona has a thread about gallery wrapped framing too. You can remove the painting once finished if you want.

                                                        #1182102
                                                        ReggieS
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                                                            A staple remover but do it very slowly so there is no tearing.

                                                            Reggie

                                                            Life is short so savor every moment!

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