A thermoplastic foil 0.1-1 millimeter thick and softening at 65-80° is prepared from an ethylene-vinyl acetate (I) copolymer (II) containing 12-45% I 20-65, waxes or oils 10-50, natural or synthetic resins 5-40, and stabilizers one percent or less, and is used for combining new canvas bases with reverse sides of restored paintings by ironing. The foil represents an inert adhesive soluble in organic solvents commonly used in painting restoration (e.g., turpentine oil). Thus, a mixture containing paraffin (softening temperature 56-58°) 40, ceresin (softening temperature 65-70°) 40, II containing 31% I 100, di-tert-butyl-p-cresol 0.3, tris-(p-phenylethylphenyl)phosphite 0.6, glycerol-modified rosin 45, and vaseline oil 10 parts was homogenized at 130-140° and cast on a cooled rotating cylinder to produce the melt-adhesive foil. -- AATA