A Stitch in Time

Goals of Treatment:

• To stabilize the degraded silk and prevent further deterioration

• To improve visual appearance and prepare for display

 

Overview of Treatment:

• Vacuuming

• Poultice treatment

• Wet cleaning with Orvus foam on a suction table

• Blocking and drying

• Adhesive backing, possibly

• Mounting

 

Vacuuming:

The flag will be vacuumed on low suction through a screen to remove surface dirt and particulate buildup.   

 

Poultice Treatment:

Due to the nature of chemicals found within a mechanic’s shop it is likely that the substances on the flag are petroleum based hydrocarbons and polyalphaolefins.  These compounds bind to particulates and fabrics, as well as metallic dust which is common in auto shops, so it is unlikely that Orvus alone will be enough to remove the heavy soiling and staining.  Poultices of agarose and both chelating agents and solvents will be tested to remove detrimental materials from the flag and improve appearance. 

 

The poultice will allow prolonged, direct contact with the fabric giving improved working times which might help lift the older, set in stains.  However, it is important to note that it is unlikely that the staining will be entirely removed.

 

Testing will need to be performed to determine what is appropriate and safe for the textile and this will be discussed in Appendix II.

 

Wet Cleaning:

The buildup of years of particulates and grease is negatively affecting both the pH and the appearance of the flag.  The chemical residue from having been stored in an auto shop could be dangerous to both the object, and possibly those in contact with the object, therefore it would be beneficial to wet clean.  This is also a necessary step to flush the chemicals used in the poultice treatments from the fabric.  Due to the damaged and deteriorated nature of the object, the wet cleaning will be performed on a suction table rather than a submersion bath to prevent movement which could cause further deterioration.  This will also prevent water from coming into contact with the paper edge supports which might be damaged by moisture.

 

In order to maintain suction the work will be completed in slightly overlapping 7cm square sections, where the poultice will first be applied and then the wet cleaning will be done.  This will also allow the poultice chemicals to be rinsed out immediately, flushing the bonded particulates, rather than allowing them to dry back into the fabric.

 

After the poultice is removed each section will first be rinsed with deionized water and then Orvus foam will be dabbed on gently with a sponge and allowed to sit to draw out the grease and dirt.  It will be rinsed and this step would be repeated as needed until the pH has been raised from its current 4 and as much of the staining as possible was removed without causing further damage.  The flag will be dried on the suction table to ensure quick and even drying, minimizing the possibility of tidelines and creasing of the thin, fragile fabric.

 

Adhesive Backing:

An adhesive backing would catch each of the tears and frayed threads and support the entirety of the flag preventing further tears.  The flag could be worked in such a way that the weave is realigned, helping to minimize the visible distortion and improve overall stability.  This would allow the flag to be removed from its mount and the mount changed if the client ever wished as well as providing access for research; if there is no adhesive backing this mount would be considered permanent as the flag is in such deteriorated condition that even the static from removing the Plexiglas would cause further shattering.  The adhesive backing should also be considered permanent; while the treatment is technically reversible, doing so would most likely cause further deterioration to the already unstable fabric.

 

A white 5mm silk habotai from Dharma Trading has been chosen if an adhesive backing is to be used as it is very similar in weave and hand to the original fabric.  Samples have been acquired for testing purposes.  Testing will need to be performed to determine the best adhesive and methods for this purpose which will be discussed in Appendix II.

 

After this step there are different options which the client may consider for the mounting of the flag.

 

Mounting:

Mounting may be approached in one of two ways.

 

1) The first method of ensuring both adequate support and possibility of display of the flag is pressure mounting.  An aluminum honeycomb panel for support is not within the budget for this project, but a wooden stretcher with a Tycore™ panel (a lightweight, rigid, archival honeycomb board used for mounting large objects) would be cost effective and serve the same purpose.[1]  The stretcher and panel would be covered with a fine layer of batting, which will easily accommodate the thin silk while allowing it to maintain pressure.  The stretcher and panel would then be covered with a show fabric and, if the adhesive backing has not been chosen, a piece of white or off-white silk cut to the size of the flag directly behind it to minimize the appearance of the tears.  It will be covered with Plexiglas™ (preferably with a UV protective coating to further prevent degradation) and the corners will be sealed with double sided tape and Marvelseal™, which will prevent the bowing common to the screw method and create a sealed environment.  Without an adhesive backing this method of display will also serve as the support mount for the flag so this treatment will be considered permanent.  If an adhesive backing and pressure mount are chosen there is greater flexibility for remounting in the future and the greatest amount of support and protection.

 

This method of mounting will provide the support and stabilization needed for the flag without significant interference with the object while still allowing the owner to display, or even frame, the flag as he wishes and for long periods of time.  With a pressure mount the object comes ready to be inserted into a frame for display and the Plexiglas™ acts as the glazing.

 

2) The second method would only be viable if an adhesive backing is used.  A wooden stretcher would be prepared with a layer of heavy broadcloth stretched taut around it and stapled on the back.  A fine layer of batting would be applied over this and finally a show fabric, which would also be wrapped taut and stapled on the back.  Then, the flag would be stitched down to the support, possible due to the strength and stability of the adhesive backing.  This could then be given to a framer and framed as any other fine art piece.

 

This method of mounting would require a greater level of interference with the object, but could also provide a greater level of freedom for future framing and remounting options.

 

The estimates for time are the same for this step; they each involve the same amount of work, just different.  The cost estimate for option 2 is less at this stage as there would be no need for the Plexiglas™, but the cost of the framer would add to the overall project estimates.

 

Pre-Treatment Testing:

The red sun is colorfast in water, as determined by testing with a drop of water between two sheets of blotter paper, but leaves tidelines (fig.1).

 

The pH is 4; low for silk which is normally around 5 – 5.5 (fig.2).