vincent reed
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Vincent Reed Ltd
Conservation & Restoration for Period Woodwork
10 September, 2013
Monday, 9 September 13
What we are going to talk about
• The importance of conservation and restoration
• Conservation and restoration of period woodwork
• Case studies will be used to illustrate how to;
• Identify original architectural woodwork
• Understand the importance of Patina
• Prepare the woodwork for refinishing
• Identify and apply the correct finish to woodwork
• Materials and techniques you can use - and those you must avoid!
Monday, 9 September 13
What is the difference between conservation and restoration?
Conservation
To preserve against further deterioration
Restoration
To restore the original appearance and
functionality - without erasing history!
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Why is conservation and restoration so important?
History Heritage Identity
We can’t rewrite our history
Our heritage is our unique identity and needs to be preserved
How do we safeguard our heritage?
Unified policy
Wider education
Sharing best practice
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Identifying what you see and making the right decision
What is the purpose of
the woodwork?
What typeof finish is
required - if any?
AestheticInterior doors, panelling,
mouldings, rails and furniture
DurabilityExterior doors, windows, floors
and staircases
AestheticPreparation will be gentle
by hand
Finish will be softer ; Shellacs,Waxes and Oils
DurabilityPreparation can be more
vigorous
Finish will be harder; Varnishes and Lacquers
QUESTION QUESTIONANSWER
ANSWER ANSWER
ANSWER
Monday, 9 September 13
Late 19th century exterior oak doors coated with a thick modern exterior lacquer
Monday, 9 September 13
Dry Scrapping the modern ‘Finish’
Monday, 9 September 13
Water based exterior acrylic lacquer applied with synthetic brushes and a wax finish
Monday, 9 September 13
Window Conservation and Restoration Ballie Scott House
Monday, 9 September 13
Window Conservation and Restoration Ballie Scott House
Monday, 9 September 13
Window Conservation and Restoration Ballie Scott House
Monday, 9 September 13
Window Conservation and Restoration Ballie Scott House
Monday, 9 September 13
Window Conservation and Restoration Ballie Scott House
Monday, 9 September 13
Window Conservation and Restoration Ballie Scott House
Monday, 9 September 13
Window Conservation and Restoration Ballie Scott House
Monday, 9 September 13
An example of over cleaning a17th century staircase caustic soda
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PreparationHow to safely prepare a wood surface
Solvent Strippers
A traditional stripper still used in period woodwork restoration
today
Removes finishes gradually without damaging the surface
No discolouration
Patina can be partially preserved with care
A finer cleaner finish
Prevents irreversible damage
Time consuming and costly
Caustic Strippers
NEVER used in period woodwork restoration
Main ingredient sodium or potassium hydroxide - stains the
wood surface by reacting with the natural acids
Staining permanently masks all original patina
Dissolves glues and weakens joints
Eco Strippers
A modern stripper used in period woodwork restoration today
Removes finishes gradually without damaging the surface
No discolouration
Patina can be preserved with care
A finer cleaner finish
Prevents irreversible damage
Time consuming and costly
Methylated Spirits
A modern stripper used in period woodwork restoration today
Removes finishes gradually without damaging the surface
No discolouration
Patina is preserved
A finer cleaner finish
Prevents irreversible damage
Time consuming and costly
Reviver Solutions & Detergents
A modern stripper used in period woodwork restoration today
Removes finishes gradually without damaging the surface
No discolouration
Patina is preserved
A finer cleaner finish
Prevents irreversible damage
Time consuming and costly
CLEANING STRIPPING
ONLY USE WHEN REVIVER SOLUTIONS, DETERGENTS AND METHYLATED SPIRITS ARE NOT
STRONG ENOUGH
NEVER USE ON PERIOD WOODWORK
prevents irriversible damage?
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Late17th century oak paneling painted with lead based paints at the turn of the century
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Stripping back the lead based paint by hand
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The original oak paneling fully restored
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Materials and TechniquesWhat to use and how to use it - and what to avoid
Materials
Preparations:Reviver solutions & Detergents
Methylated Spirits
Finishes:Conservation Varnish
French PolishesOils
ShellacsWater Lacquers
Waxes
New timber for old repairs
Techniques
Hand cleaning with suitable preparations
Blunt hand held scrappers
Fine wire wools
Stiff brushes
Ultra fine sand paper - only to be used in very specific instances
Hot air gun - with extreme caution
SUITABLE NOT SUITABLE
Materials
Preparations:Caustic strippers
Coarse sand paper
Finishes:Polyurethane Varnish
Marine PaintsMarine Varnishes
Screw and nails to repair jointsIrreversible glues to repair joints
Techniques
Sand blasting
Sanding below 150 grit- unless extenuating circumstances
Blow lamps
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New timber for old repairsNew timber for old repairs
Restoration of a late 18th century solid oak floor
Monday, 9 September 13
New timber for old repairsNew timber for old repairs
Restoration of a late 18th century oak floor
Monday, 9 September 13
New timber for old repairsNew timber for old repairs
Restoration of a late 18th century oak floor
Monday, 9 September 13
New timber for old repairsNew timber for old repairs
Restoration of a late 18th century oak floor
Monday, 9 September 13
New timber for old repairsNew timber for old repairs
Restoration of a late 18th century oak floor
Monday, 9 September 13
New timber for old repairsNew timber for old repairs
Restoration of late 18th century oak floor – a repair
Monday, 9 September 13
New timber for old repairsNew timber for old repairs
Restoration of a late 18th century oak floor – applying the correct finish by hand
Monday, 9 September 13
New timber for old repairsNew timber for old repairs
Restoration of late 18th century oak floor – fully restored
Monday, 9 September 13
SandpaperWhat really happens when coarse sandpaper is used on wood?
Example of how polish ‘pools’ in the grooves made by the sandpaper scoring the surface of
the wood
Example of how polish is displaced evenly across the surface of wood that has been sympathetically cleaned
back and stripped by hand
Wood SurfacePOLISH
Wood Surface
Sanding causes damage the fibre in the wood
The surface becomes rough to the touch
Absorbency factor of the wood is increased significantly
As a result polish applied will cause the fibres to expand - resulting in an uneven finish
This is called ‘furring the grain’
The original patina is permanently lost
Monday, 9 September 13
SandblastingWhat happens when a sand blasting machine is used on wood?
Advantages of sandblasting
What sandblasting really does
Quick
Cheap
Natural character destroyed
Quality destroyed
Patina destroyed
Mouldings and details destroyed
Fibers are damaged
Pitted surface that cannot be cleaned
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An unfortunate example of the costly devastation that sand blasting causes
Monday, 9 September 13
An unfortunate example of the costly devastation that sand blasting causes – continued!
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The paneling when fully restored
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A careful reminder
Monday, 9 September 13
StainsDifferent types of stains and how to use them correctly
Soluble when mixed with methylated spirits
Light fast
Typically used for general colour change
Suitable for use on all wood surfaces
Methanol Stains Nitro Stains Water StainsSpirit StainsFumesEarth PigmentsOil Stains
Soluble when mixed with turpentine or
thinners
Can be used to colour polishes applied with
a spray gun
Slightly more aggressive than methanol based
stains
Soluble when mixed with turpentine
Widely used in all manner of staining
Ideal for use as a ‘base colour’ - a milds stain that provides an even
base colour over which a main colour can be
built
Naturally occurring minerals
- mostly iron oxides E.g. Ochre, Umber,
Sienna
Used since prehistoric times - cave paintings
Used to produce a ‘blind’ to block grain
Raises the grain
Bichromate of potash
Potassium permanganate
Ammonia
Nitric acid
Staining of wood is caused by a chemical
reaction with the wood
Used on woods prone to uneven natural
colouring E.g. Pine
Soluble when mixed with methylated spirits
Quick to dry
Can be mixed with shellac based polishes
to provide colour
Probe to fading
Soluble when mixed with water
Produces the best quality colours
Slow to dry
Can NOT be used with unsealed wood - it will ‘fur’ and raise the grain
Ideal for use on antique wood with good patina
Professional use only
NON AGGRESSIVE AGGRESSIVE VERY AGGRESSIVE
Monday, 9 September 13
FinishesDifferent types of finish and how to use them
Soluble when mixed with turpentine
Typically used as a ‘barrier’ to preserve the
surface of the wood from the final finish
being applied
Conservation Varnish Waxes Oils Water
LacquersShellac
PolishesFrenchPolishes
Soluble when mixed with turpentine
Can be used on interior woodwork that
does not need re-polishing
Applied as a final step to all manner of
finishes for it’s silky appearance
Soluble when mixed with methylated spirits
Widely used for all types of interior
woodwork
Can be applied in thin coats - low build
Not suitable for hard wearing surfaces that
require a durable finish E.g. floors
Applied by hand with a ‘Rubber’ - cotton wool wrapped in a cotton
sheet
Boiled Linseed Oil:
Soluble when mixed with turpentine
Widely used for all types of interior
woodwork
Slow to dry - up to 1 week per coat
Flooring Oil:
Quick to dry
Tough and durable - high build
REVERSIBILITY EXCELLENT
Soluble when mixed with methylated spirits
Widely used for all types of interior
woodwork
Can be applied in thin coats - low build
Not suitable for hard wearing surfaces that
require a durable finish E.g. floors
REVERSIBILITY GOOD
Soluble when mixed with water
Widely used for floor finishing -
Tough and durable - high build
REVERSIBILITY OK
Monday, 9 September 13
Important things to remember . . .
1. Conservation of the remaining original woodwork
2. Conservation of any original patina
3. Sympathetic cleaning methods
4. Reversibility of methods and the correct materials to use
5. Never use a sandblaster!
6. ALWAYS consult a professional conservator restorer!
Monday, 9 September 13
Sharing best practice starts with you
EnglishHeritage
PMContractorArchitect
Local AuthorityRestorer
Surveyor
Monday, 9 September 13
Questions . . .
Vincent Reed LtdLittle Washbrook FarmBrighton RoadHurstpierpointWest SussexBN6 9EF
Tel: 01273 833 869 / 07815 751 005
email: [email protected]
Monday, 9 September 13
Some recommended ‘light’ reading . .
• The Elements of Style: A Practical Encyclopedia of Interior Architectural Details, from 1485 to the Present
• Stephen Calloway (Editor), Elizabeth Cromley (Editor)
• Period House Fixtures and Fittings 1300-1900 (England's Living History) [Paperback]
• Linda Hall (Author)
• The Victorian House Explained (England's Living History) [Paperback]
• Trevor Yorke (Author)
• Three Centuries of Architectural Craftsmanship (Library of Period Detailing) [Paperback]
• C AMERY (Author)
Monday, 9 September 13