BCD 2018

112 C AT H E D R A L COMMU N C I AT I O N S C E L E B R AT I N G T W E N T Y F I V E Y E A R S O F T H E B U I L D I N G CO N S E R VAT I O N D I R E C TO R Y 1 9 9 3 – 2 0 1 8 fingertips when they have achieved the surface from which to start to rebuild the finish. The method described below, for cleaning back accumulated dirt using a reviver solution applied with soft cotton rags, is very sympathetic but requires a great deal of patience. The solution softens the surface of the dirt but leaves the underlying layers, which have built up and hardened over a long period of time, untouched. This hardened surface can then be waxed. Step one: surface inspection 1 Look for any signs of alteration to the joinery item – for example, if any repairs have been made to an elevation of panelling. Be careful to inspect the whole item, not just where you intend to clean, because repairs in one location are sometimes disguised by over-polishing a large area. 2 Original finishes commonly have a deeper layer of surface grime. Note that this must not be confused with a stain. 3 Examine the surface carefully for evidence of marquetry or inlays which can be obscured by surface dirt. Step two: reviving 1 Apply some furniture reviver to a soft white cotton cloth (such as an old white t-shirt with any buttons removed). 2 Gently work the reviver solution on a small area of the chosen surface using medium pressure in circular and straight movements to remove the surface grime. 3 Keep working the solution into the surface using this technique, applying more solution if necessary for 15 minutes per square metre. 4 Before moving on to the next stage look at the cloth to see if the colour has changed (indicating that the surface grime is being removed). 5 With a new cloth, immediately wipe your surface dry with firm strokes, turning and folding your cloth to remove the dirt as effectively as possible. This will get physically harder as the solution is removed from the surface. Although it is hard work, this is the optimum moment to remove the dirt as more will stick to your cloth. Keep rubbing and buffing firmly until the action becomes easier. 6 Using the same removal cloth, start buffing and polishing the surface. Even though the cloth may be damp it will still be working. 7 Use a new cloth to finish buffing and polishing. Step three: waxing 1 Apply a small, even amount of microcrystalline wax using a soft cloth. 2 Allow a few hours to dry then buff using a soft old-fashioned boot brush. 3 Buff with a cloth. REMEDIAL TREATMENT OF DAMAGED SURFACES The right approach to treating a damaged surface and restoring an original finish will depend on the individual project but here are some general guidelines. Stop sanding! There is a common misconception that wood needs to be sanded back to create a smooth surface for a finish to be applied. In reality, this abrasive treatment may save time but it will also cause irreversible damage. Sanding destroys the grain, removing the colour and distinctive appearance of the wood, and erases the priceless patination. Original tooling or historic marks, carvings and decorative mouldings are eroded, and the result is a flat, lifeless finish devoid of character that will be rough to the touch. This is the most common mistake made when restoring original flooring and panelling today. Solvent and non-toxic varnish removers should only be used selectively. These strippers are very aggressive so application requires a great deal of expertise to gradually dissolve the surface finish. As with sanding, the risk is that too many layers are removed, creating a raw, unsightly and irreversible result. Go with the grain Deciding precisely how much of the original finish you should remove requires expert judgement. A qualified and experienced restorer can ascertain how much of the surface finish should be removed and how this can be achieved with minimal intervention, revealing the original finish while avoiding damage to the underlying patina. Once the surface of the wood has been cleaned back, the finish can then be reinstated. A detailed knowledge of architectural styles is imperative when determining the appropriate finish to ensure it is in keeping with the period of the feature itself, as well as the building. For example, expensive quarter-sawn oak panelling would usually have had a clear finish to showcase the beauty of the grain and the medullary rays in the wood, denoting the status of a room. In comparison, any softwood features, such as pine panelling, doors and floors, would have been located in less significant areas of the home and would have had a pigmented or painted finish to hide the inferior grain. Revival of the finish If the surface has the original finish, cleaning gently by hand is always the best option. This requires mixing a traditional reviver solution which includes linseed oil, methylated spirits, turpentine and distilled vinegar. This is applied using a cotton cloth and the weight of touch to remove the surface grime and reveal the underlying original finish. The surface is then waxed by hand, using a variety of wax polishes to achieve a soft sheen and depth of colour. What if only part of the original finish remains? In this instance, it is important to consider the historical significance of the joinery. If it is a principal feature or of particular historical importance then the original finish should be reinstated. Where the original finish has been removed entirely, usually as a result of over- cleaning, and the patina has been lost, the surface of the wood may need to be restored before the finish is reinstated. Experienced application of a complex combination of stains, polishes and coloured waxes can help to recreate the illusion of acquired patina in the form of ‘applied’ patina. By using artisan craftsmanship and traditional materials and restoration techniques we can preserve the innate value of original joinery, prolonging the life of these unique architectural treasures. Less is more Maintenance should be minimal. The less you do, the more you will preserve. Dusting with a light cotton cloth as part of a cleaning routine and a light wax once a year will ensure that fine architectural joinery is conserved for years to come. VINCENT REED established Vincent Reed Conservation & Restoration Ltd (see page 170) in 1989. The company specialises in sympathetic and traditional wood restoration and participates in renovation projects ranging from private listed dwellings to scheduled monuments such as Kensington Palace and UNESCO world heritage sites. A Georgian balustrade before and after reviving the original finish and waxing to retain its patina