Gravestones are a tricky project since it is so important that you can assess what type of stone you are dealing with and how far to go. The best book I have found is A Graveyard Preservation Primer by Lynette Strangstad. But as a quick overview: use the softest brush possible with soft toothbrushes (or well worn) for the crevises, you may also need a softly rounded edge wood tool for tough spots. Avoid acidic cleaners on marble or limestone, don't clean unstable stones, No wire or abrasive tools, do not clean often, and no protective coatings should be used that keep stones from "breathing" or becoming impermeable to water vapor. Marbles and limestone - use clear water, and only if necessary, non-ionic detergent (photo-flo, from a photo shop, or triton-x 100 (1ounce to 5 gal. water), Soapstone - Water only, Slate - Water only and a small portion of non-ionic detergent if necessary, Sandstone - Water only and a small portion of non-ionic detergent if necessary. Clean off all detergent very well when finished with clear water. The best option is to stay with water if possible and don't expect beautiful looking stones. Vegitation stains and this may not come off. Any attempt to better clean the stone will be harmful so the minimum amount of work done the better. If any repair work is done call a specialist - No one should ever try to use concrete or another inflexable material. To do this with inappropriate tools and materials will totally destroy the stone in a short amount of time. Whether you realize it or not a gravestone outside needs to give with climate, temperature and humidity and ground changes. They are a fragile enities and each a character of their own. Good luck and look up this small guide! It is very helpful. Kim Feinknopf-Dorrian Ohio Historical Society History Collections Department 1982 Velma Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43211 (614) 298-2052 [log in to unmask] > -----Original Message----- > From: Jac Chin [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Thursday, September 16, 1999 5:57 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Tombstone cleaning > > I need to "spruce up" some tombstones for a special presentation by my > museum. They range in age from an 1832 granite block to an 1850 > limestone, > to a 1970 polished granite block. I don't want to damage them any further > with abrasive methods, but they are thick with moss, rotted vegetation is > embedded in the deeply carved inscriptions, and one of them is nearly > overgrown with grass. Can I use a stiff 100% boar bristle brush, and some > sort of gentle cleaner to, at least, make the stones legible again? I > will > be making a (one-time rubbing) of each, and would like to minimize the > possibilty of any damage. > Thank you. > Jackie Chin > The Hermitage > Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey > 201-445-8311 > > ========================================================= > Important Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ museum-l.html. 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). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ museum-l.html. 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).