CEMETERY-L Archives

Archiver > CEMETERY > 1997-09 > 0873298489


From: Brian Conley <>
Subject: Re: styrofoam to clean
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 97 10:54:49 EDT


According to :
>
> Hi Ted. Yes, I use the brush and water, too. Just wondered if anyone tried
> the styrofoam trick. As to the shaving cream, I think there will be LETTERS
> and LETTERS and LETTERS now as we have brought up THAT subject again. There
> is such a to-do over using shaving cream now & yes, acid rain. I have used
> it in the past. I don't know if I will use it in the future. I suppose it
> depends on the shape of the stone and what I am trying to accomplish. I've
> done plenty of rubbings also. It is a dilemma, deciding the right way to do
> it without harming the stones. Good luck to you! Peggy :-)
>
>
Peggy, It's refreshing to see someone take a thoughtful approach
to dealing with old headstones. I haven't tried styrofoam, but
you should treat it as you would any other abrasive procedure.
i.e. don't use it on a stone where rubbing will cause bits of
the stone to flake off. The same goes for bristle brushes,
plastic spatulas, etc...

The rule that should be followed is to do no harm, and nothing
irreversable. Anything that dislodges bits of stone IS
damaging. Likewise, don't use any chemical compounds that are
untested or cannot be removed completely. The residu from
styrofoam is innert, therefore not chemically damaging. Shaving
creams and other household cleaning chemicals have active (and
usually acidic) componants. If you ever have an opportunity to
observe professional stone conservators work on old stones you
will find that they begin cleaning with the weakest possible
substance (water) progressing to other cleaners as appropriate.
When chemical cleaners are called for they use very weak
(non-acidic) cleaners and the absulutly flood the stones with
water to wash away as much residue as possible. I would suggest
that unless you have access to a hose and running water you
CANNOT remove all the acid residues from shaving cream, etc..
in the field.

The important question one should ask is not "Are my actions
more damaging than acid rain", but "Is my actions damaging?".
If we damage a gravestone it is not in place of natural
weathering processes (acid rain, etc...), but in addition to
them.

Do no harm.

--
Brian A. Conley, Historian
Fairfax County Public Library
Virginia Room, Fairfax City Regional Library
3915 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, Va. 22030
(703) 246-2123 Voice (703) 385-1911 FAX
E-Mail

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