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  • 1.  Encapsulating wooden objected painted with lead paint

    Posted 10-24-2024 15:26

    I have a piece of wooden wainscoting that has layers of lead paint that we want to preserve, but be able to show. What is an appropriate material to clear coat, but seal in the lead paint so the piece can be displayed without being a hazardous object?

     

    Thanks!

     

    Best,

    Stephanie Null

    Collections Coordinator

    Florida Historic Capitol Museum

    400 South Monroe Street

    Tallahassee, FL 32399

    (850) 717- 0292

     



  • 2.  RE: Encapsulating wooden objected painted with lead paint

    Posted 10-25-2024 11:34

    Hello Stephanie,

    As the acting C2C Care community monitor, I'd like to thank you for posting this question to the community. Lead consolidation is outside of my experience, so I will reach out to the community experts. In the meantime, I've gathered some resources, including past community discussions, and I'm hoping community members will be able to provide personal insights. Although the C2C Care program does not endorse any particular manufacturer or product, members are welcome to discuss lead sealant product experiences and recommendations. 

    Health & Safety for Museum Professionals, a joint publication from AIC and SPNHC, states water-based, low VOC paints are preferred for surface treatments, but they may contain potentially harmful additives (pg. 611). One of the lead sealant products I researched was a water-based, low VOC clear sealant that also contains glycol ether and bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate (a biocide and curing agent).

    Resources:

    Two past discussions on lead paint containing relevant health and safety advice:

    https://community.culturalheritage.org/discussion/lead-paint-sealant Ariana Makau references lead safety and spot testing sealants

    https://community.culturalheritage.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?GroupId=31&MessageKey=17f9f743-990f-439b-9eb4-1bcff63fdb37&CommunityKey=86951f0f-7e84-4032-956d-9a161134df8f&tab=digestviewer

    EPA resources:

    https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-safe-renovations-diyers

    https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program

    https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-abatement-inspection-and-risk-assessment

    Materials Testing Results:

    https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Materials_Testing_Results_-_Paints_and_Sealants

    CCI publication on Lead in museum collections

    https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/conservation-preservation-publications/canadian-conservation-institute-notes/lead-museum-collections.html



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    Sharon Fickeissen
    Connecting to Collections Care Monitor
    Senior Library Conservation Technician
    Hagley Museum & Library
    Wilmington DE
    sfickeissen@hagley.org
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