Exhibiting vulcanized rubber

Silvia Manrique <silvia.manrique [at] umfa__utah__edu> writes

>We recently acquired a Chakaia Booker sculpture made out of
>automotive tires which we would like to put on a permanent
>exhibition. ...

Rubber objects should not be treated with any proprietary
preparations such as WD-40 or Armour all. Rather than 'rejuvenating'
the rubber they will lead to accelerated degradation, and will also
trap dirt and dust to the surface of the rubber component. The key
factors in preserving vulcanised rubber seem to be cool temperatures
and no UV light sources. 50% RH is acceptable, and should also
prevent any corrosion occurring to the ferrous metal components.

Dennis Kelles-Krause
Conservator, Organics and Inorganics
Science Museum
Red Barn Gate
Wroughton SN4 9LT
UK
+44 1793 846224
Mobile: +44 7866 856422
Fax: +44 1793 815413


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:11
                 Distributed: Saturday, August 20, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-25-11-004
                                  ***