Cheryl,

For my two cents...

I have never tried to clean any of our many plaster works(beyond dusting
and simple cleaning), despite their often dirty appearance. Some of them
are very clean and white, while some are very brown. Sometimes it is a
little dirt(presumably from stroage and activities in the artist's studio),
but more often the coloration is the result of some sort of varnish or
overpainting, which has discolored. Apparently that overpainting is part of
the casting process, to give them works a slightly harder and smoother
surface, which will require less finishing work after the bronze is
cast.The process of making the molds from which bronzes were cast can also
generate a mottled browninsh tone in the plaster and overpainting.

If it is not disfiguring, my inclination has always been to leave them like
they are, since their surfaces are so extremely fragile. The overpainting
should not be removed, as it will take detail with it when it goes.

Good luck.

Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collections Manager
Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
Wichita State University
(316)978-5850


                                                                           
             Cheryl Kramer                                                 
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We have a number of Plaster casts on long-term loan from a large
institution.  The casts were previously stored in sub-optimal
conditions, resulting in some water damage, and layer upon layer of
dirt and grime.  (There even appears to be areas of dark over painting
on some.)  We are currently cleaning them with vinyl erasers, which is
doing a remarkable job, really, but I was hoping that someone may have
some alternate suggestions for the particularly grubby and even over
painted areas.

I would be most grateful for any advice...
Cheryl



Dr. Cheryl Kramer
Handwerker Gallery
Gannett Center
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY  14850

607.274.3548 (tel)
607.274.1774 (fax)

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