Issue 41 Spring web - Flipbook - Page 78
residues were removed from all the iron parts apart from
the repoussé leaves, by careful flame cleaning using a
handheld propane torch and wire brushes. The iron surfaces were left cleaned to the equivalent of hand cleaning
to ST3 standard (BS EN ISO 8504-3: 2018) ready for redecoration. It was decided to clean the decorative leaves
by careful abrasive blast cleaning using an aluminium
oxide grit in a small cabinet as they were thin and fragile.
The cleaned lantern parts were protected with a coating
of an alkyd oil-based zinc phosphate primer (Tikkurila
Rostex Super metal primer).
The missing lower decorative leaf was replaced with a
replica made of pure iron and forged by a conservation
blacksmith. There were a small number of missing fixing
screws and nuts. The former were replaced with BA machine screws and the latter with small brass nuts to match
the originals. The weight of the lantern was supported off
the central iron tube by the six large scrolls bolted to the
iron donut. Several of these threaded studs were loose fitting so it was decided to renew all of them for reasons of
safety and security. New threaded studs and nuts were
used.
The glass panes were each hand cleaned to remove
accumulations of dirt and other deposits. After carefully
scrapping off as much as possible, each pane was washed
with warm soapy water and a very fine Scotchbrite pad.
They were rinsed under running water before being dried
with paper towels. The broken pane from the lantern door
was repaired using a water white conservation grade
epoxy resin adhesive (Hxtal NYL-1) being left to fully
cure for 7 days.
Above, the lantern frame after paint stripping to remove the old
bituminous paint layers.
The lantern parts were finish painted by brush application
of a second coat of primer followed by two coats of Farrow
& Ball exterior eggshell (colour: Downpipe No.26). It was
then carefully re-assembled before being given one final
coat of paint. The old electrical fittings were replaced with
new. A new electrical cable, plug and ES light bulb holder
were fitted to the end of the original iron tube. The conserved lantern was then returned to the Greyfriars building and re-hung in its original location. An electrician
tested the new installation before it was switched on
again.
Helping conserve
our nation’s
heritage
Author
Peter Meehan ACR.
• Complete conservation reports
• Condition Reports
Peter Meehan studied Archaeological Conservation at
University College Cardiff in the mid-1980’s and was
awarded an Honours Science Degree. After a short period
working at the Ancient Monuments Laboratory for
English Heritage, Peter went to work as an Objects’
Conservator at the Museum of London.
• Specifications for conservation work
• Small scale conservation work
• Collections care regimes
• Estimating conservation work
peter.meehan@hm-cc.uk
07883 205704
www.hm-cc.uk
Peter Meehan BSc (Hons) ACR
“Specialist advice to those
with responsibility for historic
metalwork in the public and
private sector”
07883205704
peter.meehan@hm-cc.uk
www.hm-cc.uk
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