Connecting to Collections Care

I've been asked to design a case to exhibit a large wooden artifact that was waterlogged and has been undergoing treatment with polyethylene glycol. To get a sense of what's needed, I asked about how the piece was treated and where/what conditions it would be exhibited in. I was told it was being treated as follows:

1) Started with a solution of 30% PEG in distilled water.

2) Stirred weekly with additional PEG added every few months to reach 70% solution. Kept in that solution concentration for 6 months.

3) Currently undergoing a final, 6-month final soaking in distilled water.

In casting about the internets for info on PEG treatment, I found reference to wiping materials removed from PEG with distilled water to remove PEG on the surface, but nothing about soaking in water for an extended period. Given that PEG is water soluble, wouldn't soaking begin to reverse the treatment process? Replace the PEG with water?

It's not my call on how the thing is treated, but this seems...  counterproductive.

Thanks for any clarification that can be provided.

Dan

Dearf Mr. Bartlett,

the matter that you are submitting is very interesting and requires a great knowledge. If you agree I can put you in contact with some of the C2C experts. In the meanwhile I will do some research and come back to you soon as possibile. 

Best regards,

I've been asked to design a case to exhibit a large wooden artifact that was waterlogged and has been undergoing treatment with polyethylene glycol. To get a sense of what's needed, I asked about how the piece was treated and where/what conditions it would be exhibited in. I was told it was being treated as follows:

1) Started with a solution of 30% PEG in distilled water.

2) Stirred weekly with additional PEG added every few months to reach 70% solution. Kept in that solution concentration for 6 months.

3) Currently undergoing a final, 6-month final soaking in distilled water.

In casting about the internets for info on PEG treatment, I found reference to wiping materials removed from PEG with distilled water to remove PEG on the surface, but nothing about soaking in water for an extended period. Given that PEG is water soluble, wouldn't soaking begin to reverse the treatment process? Replace the PEG with water?

It's not my call on how the thing is treated, but this seems...  counterproductive.

Thanks for any clarification that can be provided.

Dan

I've been asked to design a case to exhibit a large wooden artifact that was waterlogged and has been undergoing treatment with polyethylene glycol. To get a sense of what's needed, I asked about how the piece was treated and where/what conditions it would be exhibited in. I was told it was being treated as follows:

1) Started with a solution of 30% PEG in distilled water.

2) Stirred weekly with additional PEG added every few months to reach 70% solution. Kept in that solution concentration for 6 months.

3) Currently undergoing a final, 6-month final soaking in distilled water.

In casting about the internets for info on PEG treatment, I found reference to wiping materials removed from PEG with distilled water to remove PEG on the surface, but nothing about soaking in water for an extended period. Given that PEG is water soluble, wouldn't soaking begin to reverse the treatment process? Replace the PEG with water?

It's not my call on how the thing is treated, but this seems...  counterproductive.

Thanks for any clarification that can be provided.

Dan