Cat urine on unprimed color-field painting

Steven Prins <sprins1102<-a t->aol< . >com> writes

>I have received in my studio for treatment a color-field painting on
>unprimed canvas that has been marked with urine by a male cat.  I am
>wondering if anyone on the list has recent references regarding
>feline urine composition and chemistry, as well as
>conservation-appropriate procedures and formulae for its removal
>from unprimed canvas? Thanks in advance for any references and/or
>suggestions.

I have never removed urine from a painting, but for what it's worth
I unfortunately have some experience owning both a cat and a
carpeted house.  I would start up my research with companies
manufacturing cleaning products specifically for cleaning pets'
"accidents".  They would for sure know about the chemistry of pets'
urine.  I use a product made by EnviroFresh (envirofresh.com) and
they seem to cater to veterinarians as well.  Their website has all
the MSDS, so at least you get an idea of what's in their products,
possibly helping you to design your own based on theirs to make it
painting-friendly.  I would tend to avoid products claiming to leave
a "long-lasting, fresh, clean scent", for obvious residues reasons,
and be aware of products likely to contain peroxide.

Marie-Eve Thibeault
Paintings Conservator, Toronto.


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:16
                  Distributed: Sunday, October 6, 2013
                       Message Id: cdl-27-16-005
                                  ***