Laser cleaning

Lasers best for cleaning priceless paintings
Latest issue of New Scientist, p.22:

Scientists have found lasers may be the best tool for restoring
priceless paintings to their prime.

A team from the Spanish Council for Scientific Research in Madrid
argue UV beams are safer than the chemicals currently used. They say
this is because the light beams can remove dirt on old oil paintings
without physically touching the paint. The process works by blasting
the surface layer of varnish. Researcher Marta Castillejo said:
"Provided you leave a thin layer of varnish, you will not damage the
paint underneath." She told New Scientist the system contains a
failsafe that makes sure the beam does not destroy the paint
underneath. As the light hits the varnish a separate tool analyses
the gas emitted and raises the alarm as soon as any paint molecules
are detected.

This article is not available on line.

A former New Scientist report about cleaning a smoke damaged
painting (Monet) is available at:
<URL:http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991592>


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 16:24
               Distributed: Thursday, September 26, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-16-24-003
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