Park Slope
Brooklyn, New York
Conservation & Restoration of Fine Art & Historic Works on Paper in New York
Conservation and Restoration Services
JD Conservation, Inc is the art restoration expert in New York City and we use the following art conservation processes to restore your artwork:
Surface Cleaning
Surface dirt is removed with erasers or powdered erasers.
Tape Removal
Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are removed using organic solvents (acetone, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone) on the vacuum suction table. Depending on the type and age of the tape, residual discoloration of the paper may require localized bleaching.
Washing
Works on paper are soaked in a bath of water made alkaline with the addition of calcium hydroxide. As discoloration and acidity are removed from the paper the water is changed. This process is repeated until the paper is slightly alkaline and thereby protected from acid-catalyzed chain scission (the breakdown of paper fibers).
Bleaching
Staining and discoloration, either overall or localized, can be removed with the application of a bleaching agent, primarily hydrogen peroxide.
Pressing
The item is humidified in a plastic tent on a screen suspended above a bath of hot water. Once the paper fibers are relaxed the item is placed between cotton blotters, covered with Plexiglas, and weighted. The blotters are changed after 30 seconds, and then with decreasing frequency as the moisture is removed, leaving the item flat.
Tear Repair
Tears are repaired on the verso using Japanese paper and wheat starch paste. These materials have been in use by conservators for hundreds of years and have proven not to discolor or damage the artwork. Additionally, they are easily removed.
Filling of Losses
Losses may be filled either using paper that is cut to the correct shape of the loss and toned with watercolor to match the surrounding paper, or with paper pulp that is mixed to match the surrounding paper.
Inpainting
Watercolors, gouache, acrylics, and pastels are used to tone areas of pigment loss.