Thanks to those who gave me advice on removing whiteout from artifacts.
At the risk of starting another argument--oops!--discussion among the
conservators, I've summarized the advice below.  As I continue my collections
work, I have been finding white-out on every type of surface imaginable, though
so far not on any of the paper or textiles (*phew*)
 
General advice:  See whether white-out can be removed physically with your
fingernail.  It may just pop off in one piece. (Unfortunately the patches in
our museum were too thinly applied for this to work, but I may be able to just
scrape it off metal and stone surfaces with my nails--screek-screek)
 
Removing white-out from textiles:  find out if white-out is water or alcohol-
based and then consult dry-cleaning establishment for advice.
 
Removing from wood:  Sharpen the cotton swab ends of Q-tip into points.  Use
a tiny bit of mineral spirit, removing as much excess as possible from swab
before applying.  Apply a bit of pressure and move swab in little circular
motions.  If at any time you see a blanching of the wood finish or paint then
stop immediately.  If mineral spirits only make the white-out look cleaner,
then try toluene (nail polish remover) or acetone--but be very careful!  Use
tiniest amount possible and have good ventilation.  You can freshen the surface
after cleaning with Antiquax or Renaissance Wax.
 
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                              |  "The Industrial Revelation would never
 [log in to unmask]    |  have occurred but for the wave of great
 MA program in Public History ü  mechanical Inventors, e.g. Arkwright,
  Indiana University at       ü  who invented the Spinning Jenny, or
     Indianapolis             |  unmarried textile working girl."
                              ü    --Sellar & Yeatman, _1066 & All That_
_____________________________ ü_________________________________________