Bubble wrap

Cihat Uzun <objectconservation [at] yahoo__com> writes

>We are considering temporarily packing our objects with bubble wrap
>but we have to decide which bubblewrap we use (with paper or not). I
>would like information about this and the properties of bubble wrap
>used in packing historical objects.

Traces of bubble dots can appear on pretty much any surface, in
particular on smooth/shiny surface. It is, in fact, very difficult
to remove dots once they appear. But bubble wrap is relatively cheap
and effective packing material in many ways. It provides a good
cushioning from shock and support. When I pack objects with bubble
wrap I usually provide an interlayer with tissue paper (preferably
acid-free). But if I can't use interlayer and have to use bubble
wrap on its own anyhow, I place bubble side outward (flat side
facing down to objects) to minimise dots developing. I've found
brown packing tape is easier to use on bubble wrap than masking
tape.

Bubble wrap deteriorates over long period of time like many
plastics, especially when exposed to inappropriate environment (eg,
direct sun light etc). It could get brittle and even break down to
debris. It is advisable to avoid using bubble wrap for long term
storage.

Seoyoung Kim
Arms, Armour and Metalwork Conservator
The Wallace Collection, London


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 22:54
                 Distributed: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
                       Message Id: cdl-22-54-005
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