Abstract
This paper outlines the approach and key findings of systematic studies into the use of various surface cleaning materials on a range of accelerated-aged sensitive oil paint surfaces, carried out through the Cleaning Modern Oil Paints (CMOP) project. Studies involved the use of recently introduced options such as adjusted pH and conductivity waters, spreadable gels, rigid gels, silicone emulsifiers, and mineral spirits-based microemulsions, with additional explorations into the effects of application methods. The evaluation methodology encompassed star diagrams designed to capture observations made during cleaning tests, and paint surface evaluations using digital microscopy, colour and gloss assessment, and ATR-FTIR analysis. In most cases, the most promising free solvents were subsequently incorporated into spreadable and rigid gels, water-in-oil microemulsions and silicone emulsions, tailoring the approach to further minimise undesirable effects where possible. Cleaning system residues were also investigated using visual inspection, microscopy and ATR-FTIR analysis, with a selection of samples further investigated using a pyrolysis on-line micro-reaction sampler and XPS analysis. The combined results offer information on the advantages and risks associated with each cleaning material, and an approach to optimising wet systems for the cleaning of sensitive oil painted surfaces.
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Notes
- 1.
Acetic acid boiling point is 118 °C (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/acetic_acid#section=Color-Form) and ammonium hydroxide solution is 38 °C (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/ammonium_hydroxide#section=Taste). Accessed 21.3.19.
- 2.
- 3.
http://cool.conservation-us.org/byauth/stavroudis/mcp/. Accessed 14.1.19.
- 4.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docusate. Accessed 14.1.19.
- 5.
The effect of any added ionic materials on the surfactant cloud point was not considered.
- 6.
http://www.cxdglobal.com/productdetails.aspx?id=309&itemno=PASWTT0100. Accessed 6.2.19.
- 7.
The cleaning tests, star diagrams, FTIR-ATR and microscopy evaluations were carried out by Dr. Judith Lee as part of the Cleaning of Modern Oil Paints (CMOP) project at Tate, London.
- 8.
XPS analysis was carried out as part of the CMOP project at Winnats Scientific (UK) through the University of Pisa, Italy. PyGCMS analysis was carried out at the University of Pisa, Italy.
- 9.
This has also been noted by the authors when using isooctane-based microemulsions.
- 10.
Series 3b-5 (30% D40, 40% aqueous, 30% NaDOSS), 3b-10 (50% D40, 30% aqueous, 20% NaDOSS), 3b-16 (60/20/20), and 3b-22 (60/10/30) or 3b-24 (80/10/10). The NaDOSS is made up as a 65% w/w. solution in Shellsol D40.
- 11.
http://www.nanorestart.eu/. Accessed 6.2.19. Note that trials of organo-gels and microemulsions are underway at Tate.
- 12.
Tidelines are primarily a feature of the small cleaning tests carried out and are generally removed when cleaning over a larger scale.
- 13.
The cadmium yellow paints tended to be more vulnerable toward the use of chelating agents in comparison to the surfactants.
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Acknowledgements
This research was undertaken as part of the Cleaning Modern Oil Paints project (2015–2018) supported by Heritage Plus, a Joint Programming Initiative of the European Commission. The authors would like to thank the following people and institutions: all CMOP partners and associate partners; Winnats Scientific, UK; Chris Stavroudis, US; Ian Garret, UK; and the Tate Conservation and Research Departments. The digital microscopy images were taken using a HIROX KH-8700 digital microscope, the purchase of which was supported in part by the Horizon2020 funded NANORESTART project (agreement 646063).
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Ormsby, B., Lee, J., Bonaduce, I., Lluveras-Tenorio, A. (2019). Evaluating Cleaning Systems for Use on Water Sensitive Modern Oil Paints: A Comparative Study. In: van den Berg, K., et al. Conservation of Modern Oil Paintings. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19254-9_2
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