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This article first appeared in Conservation News 75. Re: AeroglymTM or not AeroglymTM: that is the question!In the article Aeroglym or not Aeroglym, that is the question!, which raised the issue of the effectiveness of Aeroglym as a cleaner on decorative furniture surfaces, the manufacturer's technical advisor is quoted as saying he "would not use it for anything other than what it was designed for, and he would not use it on furniture." However, adaptation and innovation of existing materials and procedures is crucial for the further development and progress of restoration and conservation techniques.Garlic is a fantastic ingredient in many cooked dishes, but a tube of garlic purée could not assist in the bonding between brass and carcase on an item of Boulle furniture. On the other hand, a peeled clove of garlic can prove invaluable when wiped over the brass, to aid adhesion between substrate and decorative surface veneer. In a similar vein, an ordinary household iron is almost essential in removing creases from clothing, yet a rosewood veneered Regency card table would not appreciate the efforts of the "linen/steam" setting to further enhance the lustrous finish. However, with careful use on a low setting and a sheet of good quality brown paper the effect on reconstituting the animal glue beneath the lifting rosewood veneer invariably proves satisfactory. The instructions for use on a bottle of Aeroglym describe a method of application suitable for the effective cleaning of plastics and acrylics, however a large majority of a restorer's/conservator's work will not be composed of plastic and acrylics. Consequently Aeroglym, when used on decorative furniture surfaces, should not be employed as a cleaner. The difference between the use as a cleaning agent and as a lubricant for the increased effect and case of burnishing renders the original qualities redundant. Rather than applying a viscous paste and allowing the water to evaporate before removing with a rag, it can be applied already absorbed within a cotton burnishing cloth and employed with a constant movement over the surface to act as a very mild burnishing cream, and worked until the required lustre has been achieved. The exact same result can be replicated over a longer period of time when a dry cloth is used. This would indicate that contrary to suggestions of the "oil and silicate acting like a grain filler on an uneven surface", it is the flattening of surface fibres that produces the "pleasing sheen". This method of application will also prevent the risk of Aeroglym pooling on the surface or being absorbed into the carcase wood, a particular concern if the product were to contain linseed oil. It would seem unwise to assume that because "there are many references in furniture restoration literature that encourage the use of linseed oil for various purposes. It is therefore likely that linseed oil residue could be present." This product has been specifically designed for the aerospace industry. Whatever may have been written in restoration literature bears absolutely no relevance to the ingredients of Aeroglym. Because of this, it is completely reasonable not to find linseed oil as a constituent of the product, a fact verified by the manufacturers. As with any liquid substance that is introduced to the decorative finish on an item of furniture, a risk is created of damaging the finished surface if applied incorrectly. A problem that many restorers/conservators regularly encounter is a build-up of residue from cream cleaners around metal mounts. The safety data sheet indicates effective removal of Aeroglym with soap and water. This recommendation from the manufacturers would seem to assure that rather than requiring a volatile solvent and "serious intervention" the application of soap and water will suffice in situations where an item of furniture has suffered from attempts to clean it with Aeroglym. Water is one of the most essential and versatile substances in restoration or conservation. With patience and care almost any surface detritus can be removed. From careful swabbing of dirt particles from gilt surfaces to removing excess glue when veneering, water can be employed in an appropriate manner to clean virtually any surface applied to furniture and works of art in general. In situations when water alone is unable to remove more ensconced grime, the small addition of a mild detergent or solvent can aid proceedings. In the rare instances when these dilute solutions are not strong enough to remove surface degradation, one would generally imagine that doing so, whether mechanically or chemically, would damage the surface finish. Certainly, Aeroglym should not be accepted as a cleaning agent for decorative furniture surfaces. The product is however an excellent aid when employed for the purpose of providing a very mild lubricant while attaining a lustrous finish through burnishing.
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