64 The Holy Cross retable Acetone was used as a surfactant (wetting agent), aiding penetration of the consolidant under the flakes, to increase the liquidity of the consolidation and to speed up the evaporation so that the glueing process would take place faster. The consolidant was applied with a small brush. Excess adhesive was removed with ethanol. Following the application of the consolidant, treated areas were temporarily covered with Japanese paper. Here, the following mixture was used: Plextol B 500 : acetone : ethanol = 1 : 2 : 4. The solvents from this mixture evaporate quickly and thus the Japanese paper acted as stabiliser of the lifted flakes within few minutes. Several areas of unstable gilding were treated by applying Medium for Con‐ solidation (Lascaux). In the case of the blue paint of the cartouche with God Father, a different consolidation approach was taken. Saturated Cyclododecan solution was applied to the surface first to prevent the soaking of the consolidant to the surface and thus preventing staining. Boards painted with the cycle of symbols of the Passion of Christ The paint layer of the boards flanking the central niche was lifting and flaking heavily. Removing the facing paper of the last conservation measure from the water-sensitive and extremely brittle surface was an extremely difficult task. Regarding the boards to the side of the niche, an attempt to consolidate the flaking paint layer in situ, so as to avoid dismantling and possible damaging of the original construction, failed. It was then decided that the boards would be dismantled and treated in a horizontal position. For that it was necessary to cut nails of the original construction in order to retrieve the boards. Then the consolidation of the painted surfaces was done with Medium for Consolidation MFC (Lascaux), diluted with water (1:1) and applied by brush or, in case of heavily lifted paint, with a syringe. After the application of the consolidant, the paint layer became soft and was gently pushed down through Melinex after 5 minutes. Larger surfaces were treated with sandbag weights to provide pressure. Remnants of the consolidant were later removed with acetone. The treatment had to compromise between the need for consolidation of the extreme flaking damages and the negative
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5NTQ=