A Survey of the Conservation Literature Relating to the Development of Aqueous Gel Cleaning on Painted and Varnished Surfaces
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English Slovak |
| ISSN: | ISSN 1605-8410 |
| Online Access: | http://www.viks.sk/chk/revincon2.doc |
| Abstract: | SUMMARIES. A brief overview of cleaning controversies illustrates the importance for control during the cleaning of paintings. In the mid-1980s Richard Wolbers introduced a gelled aqueous system in response to the need for increased control, as an alternative to cleaning with free solvents. A chronological survey of the conservation literature related to aqueous gel cleaning follows. The paper concludes with an outline of a current research project examining the problem of residues and gel clearance. CONCLUSION. This paper is intended to chart the development of aqueous gel cleaning, rather than present an exhaustive bibliography of gel-related material. In addition, there are a number of papers available on the subject of gel cleaning that are not listed, ranging from periodical articles to commercial newsletters to student projects. From the papers discussed thus far it is clear that there are a number of concerns about the use of gelled aqueous cleaning methods. These are: 1. Residues (a) What is left behind? (b) How do these residues change with time? (c) What changes can the residues effect on the paint film? 2. Clearance-fa) What is the most effective clearance method for a specific gel? (b) What is the correct clearance protocol for a specific gel? 3. Leaching (a) How does the leaching of the paint film during cleaning with gels compare to leaching during solvent cleaning? (b) How does rinsing affect the remaining varnish and paint film? 4. Cleaning mechanism (a) What is the exact action of cleaning? (b) What are the active components of the gel, and how do they function? 5. Development of an adequate experimental methodology to test gels for use on objects of historical and artistic worth. A feature of the published literature that might benefit from some clarification is the grouping together of a number diverse cleaning methods under the heading 'aqueous' because they use water for the internal chemistry of the gelling mechanism, rather than as an active cleaning agent. Many practising conservators express some confusion in distinguishing between the various materials discussed above in terms of their role in cleaning the painting. For example HPMC is a gelling agent used where water is the active ingredient for cleaning, whereas Carbopol and Ethomeen are immobilized detergents which just happen to gel in the presence of water, but water is not the active agent for cleaning. All three are to be found under the heading 'aqueous gels' with little discussion of their different cleaning mechanisms. The literature has a tendency to sustain this confusion; therefore, a clear differentiation in future publications between gels, emulsions, soaps, enzymes, etc. and their working properties would be welcomed. |
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| ISSN: | ISSN 1605-8410 |
