Preservation Myths

Preservation Myths

“Perverted Preservation”

Stories from your grandmother that are not true.

Craig Deller

Preservation Myths

These practices have been around for a long time.

•Some were thought to logical………

•Some from old but misguided manuals………

•Some are down right nuts.!!

This presentation is to help dispels some practices that could do harm to your collection.

Preservation Myths

• All wood and their finishes need to be “fed”

A long time favorite is: linseed oil, vinegar, beeswax and turpentine.

Preservation Myths

• Ultra-violet films, Plexiglas, and additives will last forever

• Same with acid-free tissue.

Preservation Myths

• Temperature fluctuations are harmless. “Cold temperatures are (almost always) good, not bad for collections.”

• Humidity must be tightly controlled in a very narrow band.

“Putting a shot glass of water in an unsealed exhibit case is beneficial to regulating the RH”

• Light kills mold

Preservation Myths

• Polish copper and brass with salt and vinegar.

“An alternate recipe I have seen would have you use some toothpaste in the mix for its natural abrasive properties; and I suppose your silver would be minty fresh.” 

• Tarnex works great.• Polish silver often.• Commercial brass cleaners are fine.• For abraded gold gilding I often get: "can't you just put

more gold paint on".

Preservation Myths

• Remove white spots on table tops using mayonnaise, butter and cigars ashes.

• Murphy’s Oil Soap is magic.• Using Pledge on anything. “Please stop now.”

• Dust is a protective crust.

Preservation Myths

• Non-glare glass in framing will accelerate deterioration.

• Cut holes in the backing boards of paintings so they can breathe.

• Remove artifacts from their cases and put into storage so they can “rest”.

• (giving the false idea that this ‘resting’ some how rejuvenates said object and undoes all those years of light exposure).

Preservation Myths

• To rid books of musty smells, sprinkle talcum powder between the pages, wrap and store for several months.

Preservation Myths

• Bounty and other premium paper towels are made from cotton fibers.

“I contacted all the major paper towel manufacturers and all the really nice ones are made from virgin wood pulp.”

• If water is to be used in cleaning, it must be deionized.

Preservation Myths

• Bronze and glass disease is contagious.

Copper corrosion is a stabile patina on outdoor bronze.

“Cleaning coins in lemon juice. Even the dealers do it…… Yikes!”

Preservation Myths

• Clean small marble sculptures with laundry soap and put in microwave.

•  http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Small-Marble-Objects

• Soak ivory in milk to whiten then coat with Vaseline motor oil, or any oily substance.  Keeps them from cracking.

• Soak quilt stains in buttermilk and lay in the sun to whiten.

Preservation Myths

• Clean paintings with egg wash.

• Clean paintings with raw potato or onion.

• Clean paintings with gasoline.

• Clean paintings with bread.

Preservation Myths

• A sprinkler system is a greater risk than the fire itself.

“ A sprinkler system is rarely a greater risk to your collection than the fire it will suppress.”

Preservation Myths

• Treat all skins, hides and taxidermy trophies with arsenic to keep bug free.

• Deacidify paper with Rolaids or Milk of Magnesia and seltzer water.

• Put your woven baskets in a tub of water • “to keep nice and supple….jeez”. (this resulted in one collector who coated his baskets

in Crisco!)

Preservation Myths

• Dry cleaning historic textiles is good. • “Several traditional remedies applied to textiles in the past actually

contributed to their demise rather than extending their life. Early 'dry' cleaning used an absorbent powder, such as Fullers earth (a natural clay that is slightly alkaline) bran or cornmeal. The powder was worked into the textile and then brushed away in the hope that it would absorb and remove oily stains. Bread, lightly rolled over a textile, was also recommended to removing grubbiness and surface soiling.”

• Remove smoke and mold odors with Ozone.

Preservation Myths

• Clean leather with Saddle Soap and liberally soak with a good leather dressing like the British Museum recipe.

“Feeding leather! It's already dead. My dad still won't believe me.”

Preservation Myths

• And last but not least………….

Preservation Myths

• Laminate paper and valuable documents so they last forever.

You can find a depressing amount of "myths" or just bad advice on WikiHow.  

Preservation Myths

Be careful what you read…………..