I have applied the glue to the front of the puzzle. I use Elmer's white glue for it dries flat with no gloss.

 When this dries I will turn it over, place some wax paper under the puzzle, cut flat cardboard the size of the puzzle, apply plenty of glue on the back side then apply the card board and cover that with a piece of 3/4" plywood and stack some weights to hold it all in place while glue dries. 

 Make and paint a cheap frame and wa-la a new masterpiece is ready for the wall.

 

That cheap white glue at the dollar stores dries glossy and ruins the puzzle!

 

18 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

I use Elmer's white glue for it dries flat with no gloss

Do you thin it any Patch or use it right out of the bottle? Just curious.

 

BTW, really appreciate the puzzle. Agreed, it is Masterpiece.

Dave straight out of the bottle. Not all glues drys clear and some leave the surface gloss and its not good.

 I use an old credit card or a motel door key and fill all the cuts or cracks up and I usually have to remove a little  excess with the card. Put enough on so the card can spread it easy.

 

I like to do the frames with some of same colors and tones as in the pictures. This is the water base paint in the small 2 oz. bottles and HL or Michaels. I do clear coat with clear lacquer but can be done with no clear coat at all.

 We have 23, 1000 piece and 2, 2000 piece puzzles on the walls and most are Thomas Kincade. Some brands are terrible for lots of pieces could go in many places that don't belong and that causes trouble later. Puzzles are usually 50% off at Hobby Lobby. The 2000 piece have to have 2 card tables plus the dinning table with the 2 leaves is over 72" long and things are still crammed to tight together. Wife just put one she had just started back in the box because most pieces would interchange with each other except for the color and this was the second time she decided she could do it in spite of it being terrible and shw worked all day and most of that night just trying to get the 4 edges together but never got it done. This was a puzzle that had lots of animal heads only and I think it went to the trash can.

(a real pro would spread the glue, and then quickly solve the puzzle before the last bit of glue dries....)

 

who invited this guy????

Thanks Patch for the lesson(s). Our daughter enjoys puzzles especially 500-2000 piece range although she doesn't have the time she once did. I have one of hers from some time back sad to admit I need to frame. I think it is a 1000 or 1200 piece puzzle. Never heard of using Elmer's White glue as the "glaze". Agreed, on a matte finish opposed to gloss.. Hold up was the method to glue. I'll put this on my summer to complete list.

 

I'll  keep following this thread for your tips and tricks.

 

 

Before my Mom passed away, we would spend hours putting puzzles together. The larger ones (2000 pieces) got framed and hung on the walls. It got to the point we had to take ones down to put up new ones. There was always a fight as to whom would put in the last piece.

I guess if you could figure out how to turn the puzzle over after all the pieces are in place then you wouldn't have to put glue on the front side...just glue and the cardboard on the back?