If they were painted and stripped in the past, they have been through a lot worse and a slightly damp cloth will be fine.  Just be sure it is not wet but damp.  This is probably most easily done with a spray bottle directed on the cloth.  Also use a lint free cloth, as the surfaces are likely to be rough and fibers may get caught.  I use cotton cloths that I have run through the washer and dryer without detergent to remove loose fibers.

Marc


From: Noelle Scarfone 
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2014 7:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask] 
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Conservation advise needed


Thank you all for your advise it is very useful.
 Marc they are raw wood. At one point they were painted but the paint was removed before they were given to the museum. With this in mind would you still advise wiping them with a damp cloth or would it be better to simply leave them alone in an environment where the RH does not go above 60%? Also, there are no current plans to put them on display, however if your advise is to not wipe the mold off of the balustrades with a damp cloth would the museum need to consult with a conservator to remove the mold before displaying them in the future?


Noelle
Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 28, 2014, at 4:56 PM, Marc A Williams <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


  Noelle,

  As long as the balustrades are in a more proper environment where the RH does not go above about 60%, the mold will go inactive.  You do not need to do anything to "kill" it.  Personally, I would wipe the surfaces with a slightly damp (distilled water) cotton cloth.   Test a small area first but for most finished wooden objects, this is safe (I am assuming they are not raw wood?).  If you are sensitive to mold, wear nitrile gloves and a mask.  The amount of water is so slight that it will evaporate away quickly and cause no problems.

  Increasing in severity, you can apply organic solvents on a cloth (for most finishes mineral spirits is the safest, except for wax).  Next in line of severity are fungicidals that leave no residue after application.  Next in severity are fungicidals that leave a residue.  All of these have significantly more risks to both the object and humans and greater potential complications than plain water.  If you keep the balustrades in a relatively decent environment, none of these are necessary and there will be no further mold growth.

  I also would not put them in the sun.  Not only may this bleach their surfaces, but it also may cause rapid moisture content changes with potential checking of the finish or wood surface.  Please let me know if you have any further questions..

  Marc

  American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
       4 Rockville Road
       Broad Brook, CT 06016
       www.conservator.com 
       860-386-6058 

  *Collections Preservation Consultation
  *Conservation Assessments & Surveys
  *Environmental Monitoring & Low-Tech Control
  *Moisture Management Solutions
  *Collections in Historic Structures
  *Collections Care Grant Preparation
  *Conservation Treatment of:
       Furniture
       Painted Wood
       Horse-Drawn Vehicles
       Architectural Interiors 
       Decorative Objects & Folk Art

  Marc A. Williams, President
       MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
       Former Chief Wooden Objects Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
       Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)




  From: Noelle Scarfone 
  Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2014 5:19 PM
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Conservation advise needed


  Hello fellow list servers. I am currently an intern at the Fort Sill National Landmark and Museum. I am presently working on stabilizing their archaeological collection. I have encountered mold on some very important wooden balustrades which were previously stored in an inadequate building. They have since ben removed from the storage facility that caused them to mold and have been rehoused in a more appropriate environment. So far I have placed the balustrades in direct sunlight to try and stop the growth of the mold. I am hoping that others have had more experience than I have with this issue and can offer some tips on how I should proceed in getting rid of the mold. I have read that vacuuming the balustrades with brush attachments on a low setting maybe an option. Is this an appropriate course of action?  I greatly appreciate any advise that you all can offer.
  Feel free to contact me of the list as well.


  Thank you,
  Noelle Scarfone
  [log in to unmask]





  Sent from Windows Mail




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