Removing wax from wall painting

I am attempting to establish the best methods of de-waxing a
structural painting on lime plaster supports. Two wax applications
are thought to have take place in the past. They are now endangering
the paintings and must be removed or reduced to return some of the
porosity to the structure. The waxes are thought to be beeswax and
paraffin wax (not confirmed yet). The paint is thought to be a type
of tempera (water based) possibly with the use of an animal glue or
casein. I have read a bit about the use of Nitromors and solvent
gels using xylene or toluene in the past. I would like to know what
the current recommended treatment is and any suggestions for further
reading or alternative treatments.

Danielle Sheard
Structural Paintings Intern
Historic Scotland / Scottish National Trust
Conservation Centre-South Gyle,
7 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh EH12 9EB
+44 131 334 6357
Fax: +44 131 334 6810


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 16:37
                Distributed: Wednesday, December 4, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-16-37-027
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