HOW TO ASSEMBLE A METAL (ALUMINUM) PICTURE FRAME:

Thank you for ordering from KeenART Media! Your new metal frame will enhance your artwork, allow you to display it with ease, and protect it for years to come. Whether your purchase is intended for a painting, a drawing, or a mixed media piece, you're sure to be pleased with your new, high quality frame. Below are instructions for assembling your frame (if it came unassembled) and inserting your artwork (if it arrived assembled). If you still have difficulty after reading this guide, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're always happy to help.
In addition to two short and two long frame rails with tracked on the back sides, you should receive a Hardware Assembly Kit including: Four (4) L-shaped tapped corners (with screws) Four (4) L-shaped back plates (without screws) Four (4) or more spring clips Hanging mount/clip For larger frames, two clips or mounts are supplied For smaller frames, one clip or mount is supplied Larger frames come with hanging wire. You should have a length of wire approximately the length of the longest side plus 6 inches. (Smaller frames can be held by one hanger, hung from a nail in the wall). Two (2) rubber or felt frame bumpers Wall hook and nail set. Larger frames come with two, smaller frames with one. You will need (not included): Philips (star) and Flat head screwdriver Measuring tape or ruler Wire cutters - optional; to cut the excess wire Gloves (optional; the edges of the metal frame can be sharp) (To order extra hardware, see the links at the bottom of the page.)

Assembling Your Frame 1.  Before you begin to assemble your frame, make sure all the screws (those in the tapped corners and possibly the hanging clips) are loosened/raised as much as possible, so the backs of the hardware are flat. 2.  Select one of the long frame rails.
3.  Tapped Corner Stack a tapped corner on top of a blank corner. Insert one end of the set of corners into the track on the back side of the long frame rail. Holding the corners in place, slide one of the short frame rails onto the end that is jutting out.
4.  The diagonal frame ends should be flush, making a neat corner. Tighten each bracket screw until the two frame rails are snug.
5.  Repeat steps 3 and 4 on the other end of the long rail, using the other short frame rail. You should now have three sides of the frame constructed, creating a U shape, and one long frame rail remaining. If you order acrylic glass for your frame, you will need to remove the coating from the glass before you insert it into the frame. This coating will be either plastic or paper, and is left in place when shipping your frame to minimize the risk of scratching. The backing should peel off easily. Peel off the coating on one side, and remove any dust particles with a soft cloth. Lay this side down on top of your mat, artwork and foam core backing. Then remove the coating on the top side, and wipe. Slide all the contents together into the opening in the frame. (Do not slide the glass in separately, as it may scratch the artwork.) Follow steps 3 and 4 again to connect the last, long frame rail to the two shorter rails. Insert both corner sets into the long rail before inserting this piece into the ends of the two shorter rails.
6.  Spring Clips You will have four or more spring clips, depending on the size of your frame. These hold your contents firmly against the front of the frame. Turn your frame over so the foam core backing is facing up. Place the spring clip near the corner of one long frame rail so it arches up. Press it down onto the foam core and carefully slide it between the foam core and the underside of the frame. Repeat step two for each additional spring clip, spacing them evenly around the frame. Most mid to large size frames will have one spring clip in the center of each short rail, and two along the length of each long rail. Note: If your contents are quite thick, you may need to remove some of the curve from the spring clips. You can do this with your hands, or with pliers. If you still cannot insert the clips (less than 1/16" space), you likely do not need them. If the clips slip out, or do not seem secure, you may need to bend them into a steeper curve.
7.  Hanger Depending on the size of your frame, you will have one or two hangers (known as Euro hangers). Simply slip your hanger(s) into the track on the back of the frame (the same space into which you inserted the corners - they will slide up and down easily), and tighten/lower the screws to hold them in place. If your frame requires two hangers, they should be inserted into the vertical rails of the frame, approximately ? from the top. If you have only one hanger, it can be placed in the top horizontal rail, at the center.
8.  Hanging Wire Once you have placed and tightened the hangers, unwind the piece of hanging wire you received. Insert the wire into the hole on one mount, wrap it around, and insert it through the hole again. Twist the short end of the wire around the longer end a few times to secure it. Stretch the long end of the wire to the other side of the frame, and insert it into the hole in the second hanger. Wrap it around, then insert it again. At this point, while you can still maneuver the wire, make sure there is a bit of slack - about 1.5 to 2 inches - between the two hangers. Wrap the loose end around a few times to secure it. Remove the excess with wire cutters if necessary.
9.  Rubber Bumper Affix one rubber bumper (supplied) to the each bottom L-shaped corner piece. This will keep your frame from damaging the wall. Hammer the wall hook into your wall (hook and nail are supplied) and hang your artwork!

To insert your artwork into a pre-assembled metal frame: Turn your frame over so the foam core backing (black or white) is facing up. You will see silver brackets in each corner. Loosen the four screws (two on each bracket) from either end of the longest frame rail and pull the rail out. The brackets should remain in this rail. If you ordered a mat, acrylic glass and/or foam core backing, carefully slide it out. Remove the plastic or paper coating from one side of your glass (if supplied). Wipe it with a microfiber cloth and place it on top of your mat (if supplied) or artwork, and foam core backing. Then remove the top coating and wipe this side. Slide the contents back into the frame, all together. Do not slide the glass in separately, as it could scratch your artwork. Insert the brackets back into the two open ends of the attached, U-shaped frame rails so the frame is assembled again. Tighten the screws. If at any time your frame comes apart, see the applicable steps from the guide Assembling Your Frame.

If you still have difficulty after reading this guide, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're always happy to help. Order More Online Tapped Corners Back plate corners Metal Frame Hangers Spring Clips Wall Hooks Bumpers Picture Hanging Wire Metal Exhibition Frames (8.5 x 11" size)

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