[LDS] headstone cleaning

[richhart]

>From another list-this is interesting!

For YFI

From: "Gail Meyer Kilgore"
          <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
          Subject: [CO-CEMETERIES] CLEANING
          CEMETERY STONES
          Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 13:19:31 -0700

          For your info:

          Subject: Cleaning Stone by John Dennis

          Cleaning Stone

          Check the stone's condition before cleaning

          No stone should be cleaned if its condition is
questionable:

          A stone with a friable or "sugary" surface,
          A stone with a grainy surface that readily falls
          away, or
          Any other condition that indicates that the stone is
          delicate, brittle, or otherwise vulnerable.

          ALL surfaces of the stone should be checked.  If there is
          Any question as to the stone's condition, DO NOT attempt
to clean it as the
          surface could be irreparably damaged in the process.

          The Cleaning Process
          1.      Mix a solution of one heaping tablespoon of ORVUSŪ

          (a detergent that comes in either liquid or paste form) to
one gallon of
          clean water.  ORVUSŪ is commonly used in association with
horse
          and sheep husbandry and is available from feed stores;
          2.      Pre-wet the stone thoroughly with clear water to
          make sure the detergent solution will not be absorbed
directly in the dry
          stone;
          3.      Thoroughly was the PRE-WETTED stone using NATURAL
          BRISTLE, WOODEN HANDLED BRUSHES of various sizes.  The use
of plastic
          handles is not recommended as color from the handles may
leave material on
          the stone that will be very difficult to remove.
          4.      BE THOROUGH.  Wash all surfaces.  Rinse thoroughly

          with lots of water.

          Remember!

          DO pre-wet the stone with clear water prior to
          cleaning, and keep
          the stone wet during the entire washing process.
          DO NOT allow the detergent solutions to dry on the
          stone while cleaning.
          NEVER use abrasives, high pressure washes, acids or
          bases, solvents, household cleaners, wire brushes, or sand
blasting
          or other blasting equipment to clean stone!

          Cleaning Marble and Limestone

          When cleaning marble or limestone, one tablespoon of
          household ammonia can be added to the above mixture; this
will help remove
          some greases and oils.  DO NOT use ammonia on or near any
bronze or other
          metal elements.

          Lichens and Algae

          Lichens and algae can be removed by first thoroughly
soaking
          the stone and then using a wooden scraper to gently remove
the biological
          growth.  This process may need to be repeated several
times to remove the
          material.

          Stains

          Some stains in porous stones cannot be removed.  DO NOT
          expect the stones to appear new after cleaning.

          Frequency of Cleanings

          DO NOT clean marble, limestone, or sandstone more than
once
          every 18 months.  These types of stones may occasionally
be rinsed
          with clean water to remove bird droppings and other
accretions.  Granite can
          be cleaned as needed.

          Keep a Record of the Cleaning

          Simple treatment records should be kept with the date of
          cleaning, materials used, and change in condition since
last cleaning
          (such as missing parts, graffiti, and any other damage).
These
          records should be kept at a central location where the
condition of the
          stone can be monitored over time.

          Developed from data
          Supplied by John R. Dennis
          Dallas Museum of Art Conservation Lab, March 1995

          Gail Meyer Kilgore
          Casa Grande, Arizona


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