[dlc]

I have a 1x12 x 32'' piece of fir or pine wood that was hand painted by sister - the wood is dried and warped slightly with a crack about 6'' long in center of board from one end to a knot in wood. I want to restore wood as possible to make a keep sake of it. the wood is painted with magic maker an water colors on one side. what is the best way to moisten wood to flatten an to be able to fix crack so as to apply a preserve finish and use as a wall hanging?

 

[Brian T.]

Here in the Pacific Northwest, it seems to be common practice to ignore cracks in drawings/paintings/carvings on wood. If the wood is already cracked, just carve right through it.
If the wood cracks later, like some of my 30" %Raven carvings, do nothing. Many old things crack.

For you, the problem is made worse with the watercolors, any sort of steam-bending will ruin the painting and the wood won't bend for long. If you had a simple, welded angle iron frame, you might be able to squeeze the wood crack shut somewhat.

Hang it up as it is. You know the story behind the art work.