Connecting to Collections Care

Hello,

Help...I have a wooden sign with dry moss and the edges of the sign are breaking down.  I am needing advice on how to remove the moss and stabilize the brittle ends of the sign.  The moss is soft on top and can be easily removed but some of the undergrowth is slightly attached to the wood.  Can I use a soft brush and delicately remove the moss with tweezers? For the wood, it is solid except for the ends, if touched, small powder like pieces come off.  For stabilization, can I use a mixture of wheat starch and neutral PVA?  I have read that a 5% solution of PVA has been used.  What is the preferential stabilization practice? The sign will be hung on a wall in the collection area and probably remain there for some time.  I have included some photos.  Any advice will be appreciated! And any workshops or lectures on wooden objects and such would be really helpful.

Thanks!!

Tanya 

Hello,

Help...I have a wooden sign with dry moss and the edges of the sign are breaking down.  I am needing advice on how to remove the moss and stabilize the brittle ends of the sign.  The moss is soft on top and can be easily removed but some of the undergrowth is slightly attached to the wood.  Can I use a soft brush and delicately remove the moss with tweezers? For the wood, it is solid except for the ends, if touched, small powder like pieces come off.  For stabilization, can I use a mixture of wheat starch and neutral PVA?  I have read that a 5% solution of PVA has been used.  What is the preferential stabilization practice? The sign will be hung on a wall in the collection area and probably remain there for some time.  I have included some photos.  Any advice will be appreciated! And any workshops or lectures on wooden objects and such would be really helpful.

Thanks!!

Tanya 

I would also recommend consulting a conservator.  Some things to consider:

Is the moss part of this history of the object?  Is it actively harming the wood?  If it is evidence of the sign's previous history and is not currently causing damage, it should be retained.  

The wood breaking down into small particles is probably the result of fungal attack when it was wet,. It is unlikely to continue if the wood is kept dry.  The deteriorated wood could be consolidated with a suitable cosnolidant. I would favour Paraloid B72 acrylic copolymer of ethyl metheacrylate and methl acrylate rather than PVA, especially as Paraloid B72 will allow the passage of moisture through the wood whereas PVA tends to form barriers, causing increased moisture related damage behind. 

Good luck

Helena

Hello,

Help...I have a wooden sign with dry moss and the edges of the sign are breaking down.  I am needing advice on how to remove the moss and stabilize the brittle ends of the sign.  The moss is soft on top and can be easily removed but some of the undergrowth is slightly attached to the wood.  Can I use a soft brush and delicately remove the moss with tweezers? For the wood, it is solid except for the ends, if touched, small powder like pieces come off.  For stabilization, can I use a mixture of wheat starch and neutral PVA?  I have read that a 5% solution of PVA has been used.  What is the preferential stabilization practice? The sign will be hung on a wall in the collection area and probably remain there for some time.  I have included some photos.  Any advice will be appreciated! And any workshops or lectures on wooden objects and such would be really helpful.

Thanks!!

Tanya 

I would also recommend consulting a conservator.  Some things to consider:

Is the moss part of this history of the object?  Is it actively harming the wood?  If it is evidence of the sign's previous history and is not currently causing damage, it should be retained.  

The wood breaking down into small particles is probably the result of fungal attack when it was wet,. It is unlikely to continue if the wood is kept dry.  The deteriorated wood could be consolidated with a suitable cosnolidant. I would favour Paraloid B72 acrylic copolymer of ethyl metheacrylate and methl acrylate rather than PVA, especially as Paraloid B72 will allow the passage of moisture through the wood whereas PVA tends to form barriers, causing increased moisture related damage behind. 

Good luck

Helena

Hello,

Help...I have a wooden sign with dry moss and the edges of the sign are breaking down.  I am needing advice on how to remove the moss and stabilize the brittle ends of the sign.  The moss is soft on top and can be easily removed but some of the undergrowth is slightly attached to the wood.  Can I use a soft brush and delicately remove the moss with tweezers? For the wood, it is solid except for the ends, if touched, small powder like pieces come off.  For stabilization, can I use a mixture of wheat starch and neutral PVA?  I have read that a 5% solution of PVA has been used.  What is the preferential stabilization practice? The sign will be hung on a wall in the collection area and probably remain there for some time.  I have included some photos.  Any advice will be appreciated! And any workshops or lectures on wooden objects and such would be really helpful.

Thanks!!

Tanya