I have to offer a note of caution here.
You have to be extremely carefull with using water or any liquid
solvents in dealing with cleaning issues with stone and other materials
such as adobe and mortar.
Water and solents can actually often drive the staining media or the
dirt into the substrate, sometimes making it intractable to remove. You
could make the problem far worse.
Yes, we conservators often test stone surfaces with small cotton swabs
in unobtrusive, less visible areas, but this is to access the
soluability of the problem material so that we can formulate very
specific cleaning approaches using poltices, or these days even lasers
(a colleague of mine is doing research of cleaning rock art with
lasers).
So, it is best to consult a conservator first before attempting
anything yourself.
The AIC (American Institute of Conservation) has a free guide to
services that allows you to search the database online and find
conservators in your region who you can contact.
www.aic.standford.edu
Cheers!
Dave
David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California, USA
-----Original Message-----
From: Bennett Siegel <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wed, 7 Sep 2005 08:28:03 -0400
Subject: Re: stone chimney
If the stain is on the interior stone, and mortar and it is
blackish, than
it is most likely creosote from fires long ago that has bled through
with
the moisture. You will need a solvent that will dissolve and remove
creosote. This must be done carefully with clean rags, as solvents will
smear the stain. Test different solvents, such as paint thinner or
denatured alcohol. An objects conservator will be able to advise as
well.
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf
Of Meghan McGinnes
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 5:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: stone chimney
Hi, I thought someone on the list might be able to help. We have a
stone,
mostly granite, fireplace, constructed in 1914 that recently sustained
some
damage. When our new HVAC was installed, one of the units was vented
through the chimney which led to condensation forming inside the
chimney.
This caused some sort of sappy substance to leach through leaving
stains and
damaging the patina. As this damage is very visible and inside the
house we
would like to restore the chimney's appearance if at all possible.
We've
already fixed the venting problem (by relocating) but can't figure out
how
to remove or at least reduce the staining and restore the patina. Any
help
would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Meghan McGinnes
Hiwan Homestead Museum
4208 S. Timbervale Drive
Evergreen, CO 80439
303-674-6262
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