First of all, I want to thank you all for caring whether I blow myself to
smithereens or not! It's reassuring. :-) Second, let me assure you that as
soon as I saw the ingredients in this "recipe" I knew better than to try it
myself. (I have a strong sense of preservation - of me!) What I DO intend on
is asking our state preservation lab to take on this project...and let me
observe as an interested party. So please rest assured that we will not "try
this at home or the museum!"

My last adventure involved a War of 1812 cannonball that's been on display
for decades. While moving some exhibits around I noticed that it was
actually a shrapnel shell and was plugged with dried mud, etc. That would
indicate that it had been wet at some point...and black powder destabilizes
under moist conditions. Our preservation lab in Maryland was willing to take
it on...but only if I delivered it...a 2 hour drive with a potential bomb.
Yikes! Instead I called the curator of the Aberdeen Proving Ground Ordnance
Museum, which is only about 5 miles away. He graciously came to the rescue,
and now we have a "safe" cannonball on exhibit.

As for Home Depot...this summer I got a call from the City Administrator
saying that the Americorps volunteers working in the city were going to
finish their project early and he needed a 2 day secondary project for them.
We decided that oiling the Lock House floors was just the ticket. Since the
volunteers would arrive the next morning I made a quick run to Home Depot
for boiled linseed oil. Since I only took over this museum in January I had
no idea how much oil it would take. I bought 3 gallons, knowing it would be
too much, but figured I'd return what wasn't opened. When I got to the cash
register a manager came over and asked me what I intended to do with that
much boiled linseed oil. I told him and he was much relieved. Is there
something sinister that boiled linseed oil is used for? 

Ah, the adventures of small museums! 
 

Becky Fitzgerald
Susquehanna Museum

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of David Harvey
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2005 11:11 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Laminated paper - use acetone-naptha ??

I had planned on staying out of this one becuase paper based objects
are not my specialty and I am far too busy to dive into every subject
that arrives in my inbox.

Diane is right.

Sometimes shouting is necessary. I cannot even begin to recount the
times that I have heard of home or first time experiments at
conservation treatments going awry because people think that if they
can buy it at home depot and get a "recipie" from somewhere, that it
will be fine.

Please know that there is a reason why it takes years of training and
experience to safely design and conduct conservation treatments. Sure,
there are some things that are simple and that any conservator will
tell you that you can do, but there are many, many things you should
not even think of taking on yourself.

This is especially true when working with solvents. I won't even get
into all of the bad things that can happen to the historic or artistic
object. How about you? Do you know what an MSDS is? (Material Safety
Data Sheet) Are you set up to work with flamables? With solvents that
can have respiratory and central nervous system effects? What if you
spill the solvents? What if you get it on your hands? What if it
ignites? Are you prepared to deal with any and all "what if's"?

Also, what about hazardous waste disposal? Do you know the relevant
laws? Are you prepared for the costs or to arrrange for proper and
legal storage and disposal? If you dump it down the drain or out in
the woods you are not only legally liable for that waste but also for
everything else it touches, whether it is sewer or dirt.

And it is not only you who are at risk but your institution.

So consider this very carefully, educate yourself, and listen to Diane....

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California  USA



On 12/7/05, Diane Gutenkauf <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> NO, NO, NO a thousand times NO....Here comes the shouting. cover your
> ears. (apologies to Dave)
>
> The person who wrote the original treatment method was a CONSERVATION
> PROFESSIONAL IN TRAINING. She was working under the supervision of a
> faculty member at her university.
>
> SHE HAD ACCESS TO A PROFESSIONAL CONSERVATION LAB.
>
> She posted this treatment on her student web site. What you saw was an OUT
> OF CONTEXT excerpt.
>
> Kids, don't try this at home.
>
> There are so many reasons why you shouldn't try this I can hardly begin.
>
> See my earlier posting and call a professional conservator. Then try an
> industrial hygenist. Then stop and remember what I call "Diane's
> Conservation Credo" First: do no harm, Second: know your skill level,
> Third: call a professional.
>
> If you really want my entire philosolphy on caring for cultural property
> and appropriateness...drop me an e-mail.
>
> Or wait for Dave to weigh in.....he'll say the same thing only nicer
>
> Diane G.
>
> Remember it's the "American Institute for Conservation" and google works
> just fine.
>
> On Tue, 6 Dec 2005 21:22:57 -0500, Rebecca Fitzgerald
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> >Thanks for both the method and the warning! I read the email describing
> the
> >acetone and naptha baths just before dinner. I described the method to my
> >husband (who is pretty knowledgeable about all kinds of industrial stuff)
> >and his mouth dropped open. His first remark was, "Where do you intend to
> do
> >this?" and the second was "Yes, it should work, but you need to be
> careful,
> >very careful."  Given our historic structures, and limited ventilation
> >system, this may become a summer (outdoor) project. In any case, I will
> >report back after the grand experiment!
> >
> >Thanks again to everyone who responded to this query.
> >
> >Becky Fitzgerald
> >Susquehanna Museum
> >
>
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