Granolux

Who has gained experience with the conservation and restoration of
"murals" made with the industrial material Granolux?

According to some Internet information, the product consists of a
marble and granite aggregate in a plastic binder, and seemed to be
used by artists especially during the 1960's.

In preparation of the restoration of a damaged 'mural' (Granolux on
plywood), it would be good to know about any experience made by
fellow restorers. My specific questions are:

Is the product Granolux still available somewhere (required
quantity: 3-5 Kilograms, i.e. 6-10 Lb.)?  Is there any enterprise
that even still produces this material?

Does exist any technical datasheet about this product?

How does Granolux react in regard of consolidants? I would imagine
the mineral content is inert against most consolidants used in the
conservation, such as Acryloid / Paraloid B-72. Could it be that in
most cases of exterior building decorations a plastic binder (e.g.
an acrylic polymer)was used?

As Granolux seems to contain  marble granulate as its mayor
component, it might be sensitive against acid, although the plastic
binder provides some protection. I realized that in some areas of a
specific object there is a whitish layer visible. In some parts the
concentration of this residue is quite high, and reminds of mould.
Could that be the result of a reaction of the binder and the mineral
components with rain water?

The research in the Internet has not been very successful yet. Does
somebody know about any publications about GRANOLUX, such as
articles in regard of its conservation and restoration? Any hint
would be of great value to me.

Ulrik Runeberg
Conservator
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Puerto Rico


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:11
                 Distributed: Thursday, August 12, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-18-11-022
                                  ***