Anyone Know how to unstick photos from frame glass?

In some of my frames my pictures have become stuck to the glass. I’m guessing from moisture. It’s like I’ve glued them completely to the glass. Anyone have any ideas on how to unstick them???

6 Comments

LighteningBolt
on November 30th, -0001

At one point in time the picture was exposed to high humidity or it simply got wet. I have had that happen twice to old family portraits that I was trying to remount into more modern frames. I had limited success by holding them over steam (think of the old envelope opening technique)…it worked for one and not-so-much for the other. But, I am not an expert and I had the negatives so replacements were not out of the question….good luck.
Musicmaker
on November 30th, -0001

I do not believe there is a way to do that. If you want maybe try a hair dryer and heat up the glass a bit, but dont put the hair dryer too close because the heat will just break the glass! I work at a glass company and there really is no way to do it with out ruining the picture!
StoneHenge
on November 30th, -0001

Place the glass and photo in a basin of very luke warm water with just a few drops of washing up liquid in it. Let the photo soak and peel off gradually like taking a stamp from an envelope. Don’t force it or you will damage the print. This only applies to regular type photos, not the digital home computer printout types.
Cat
on November 30th, -0001

I agree with the suggestion of soaking. You’ll then need to rinse the print and then hang it to dry.

Now you know why prints should be behind a cut-out mask to keep them from contact with glass.
JunkFoodAddict
on November 30th, -0001

Try the soaking method… Also, in the future when you frame your prints use an inexpensive mat board to keep the photo’s from making contact with the glass surface.. Also, when cleaning your prints/picture’s in frames DO NOT spray the cleaner directly on the glass INSTEAD spray the cloth/towel and wipe the glass so no moisture is present… Also, if you have a scanner you might be able to get a “copy” of the stuck print so if the soaking method doesn’t work you still have a decent enough image if the print is really special or one of a kind ! Good luck
Raul Davalos
on August 14th, 2012

The best way to remedy this is to insert the photo and the glass in an open plastic bag for ptrotection, like a grocery bag or large zip-loc, and place them in the freezer overnight. The next day carefully remove the photo from the glass which should come off without tearing or lifting the surface of the photo.