Isolating layer between watercolor and wood panel

Julie Dennin Ream <julieream [at] comcast__net> writes

>I have a small Arthur Hughes watercolor painting c.1867 on heavy
>paper wrapped around, but not adhered to, a solid wood panel 1/2
>inch thick.  I will likely remove the painting from the panel for
>treatment and I would like to isolate the wood panel to prevent
>off-gassing before remounting the painting. ...

In my experience a thin 12 micron layer of mylar/melinex can be used
as an appropriate acid free gas barrier, between the backing board
and the primary support. In situations where the primary support is
thin and almost transparent I have also interleaved a thin acid free
sheet of paper to give more opacity. You don't actually mention the
size of the watercolour but if you're worried about the mylar
dropping or folding you can always "spot weld" the mylar to the back
of the interleaving paper layer with a tacking iron. Considering the
thickness of your backing board, hospital corners should provide a
clean inconspicuous finish (with some practise) that can be hidden
under the water colour without the use of solvents.

I hope this solution is of use, if you require more information or
answers contact me directly

Simon Mawdsley
Conservator of Fine Art on Paper
The National Archives of Norway in Kristiansand
Marthas vei 1
N4604 Kristiansand
Norway


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:50
                  Distributed: Monday, April 16, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-20-50-002
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