Removing ink from bone

Simon Moore <simon.moore [at] hants__gov__uk> writes

>The only successful way I have found for removing Indian ink on bone
>is the fairly radical use of warm 10 volume hydrogen peroxide with a
>touch of 0.880 ammonium hydroxide, dabbed with cotton buds.  The
>bleaching effect on the bone is kept to a minimum and the bone
>surface is otherwise unaffected.

Suggestion: Better avoid chemicals! Since the ink is water-soluble
it can easily be extracted physically with Westox Cocoon poultice.

Edgardo Pinto Guerra
Westox Cocoon Consultant
+39 0578 266922


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:4
                  Distributed: Wednesday, July 6, 2005
                        Message Id: cdl-19-4-014
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