Amber- When there are historic objects with painted surfaces there are no safe "recipes". Properly cleaning painted objects can be complex - it depends on the condition of the substrate material and the paint, and to have an exact understanding of what accretions should be cleaned (removed) and what accretions represent the patina or history of the object during it's life. So consult with either a wooden objects or a paintings conservator about this object. Get them in to examine it and give you an assessment of what can be done and what should not be done. If it is stable and not actively deteriorating right now then the best decision is probably to leave it alone until you can get someone with expertise to examine it. Cheers! Dave David Harvey Senior Conservator & Museum Consultant Los Angeles CA. USA www.cityofangelsconservation.weebly.con On Mar 8, 2018 8:04 AM, "Amber Clifford" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Good morning- > > I've recently acquired for collections a very large painted wooden sign > that was installed for 60 years in a local bar. The sign, and the bar, are > legendary. > > The sign was painted by hand, and while it was sealed originally, decades > of light, smoke, and environment have created a layer of what I am calling > "bar deposits." > > Any ideas about a gentle cleaning? I'm concerned about the use of liquids, > as only the top surface was painted or sealed. I'm not trying to restore it > to its original, just to clean the top layer a bit, and prevent further > damage by these ethnographic deposits. > > Thanks > Amber R. Clifford-Napoleone > Director, McClure Archives and Museum > > -- > *Always remember your email etiquette!* > *Students: Always check both your syllabus and Blackboard first, your > question may already be answered!* > > Amber R. Clifford-Napoleone, Ph.D. > Associate Professor of Anthropology (Anthropology Program Wood 136B, > 660-543-4877 <(660)%20543-4877>) > Director, McClure Archives and University Museum (JCKL 1470, 660-543-4649 > <(660)%20543-4649>) > University of Central Missouri > Email: [log in to unmask] > Web: https://www.ucmo.edu/hist-anth/facstaff/Clifford-Napoleone.cfm > > MAILING ADDRESS: > Wood 136B- Anthropology Program > University of Central Missouri > Warrensburg, MO 64093 > > > > ------------------------------ > > To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: > http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).