CLEANING AREAS: THE LOCATION OF TESTS IN THE CLEANING OF PAINTINGS

Abstract

Cleaning tests are usually carried out in order to study the solubility of the non-original layers. They also supply part of the information necessary in order to understand the configuration of the deposits, to select the layers which will be removed and to design the most adequate cleaning systems. Study of these tests has been chiefly based on protocols which allow decisions to be made concerning which chemical agents should be used in a given cleaning operation. The aim of this research has been to develop a system to improve the design and, particularly, the location of cleaning tests. In order to do so, cleaning area has been defined, a concept which allows the surface of painting to be divided into areas which do not show a regional variability. This division enables the location of cleaning tests to be organized in a structured and efficient manner.