[NHCOLL-L:4515] RE: Removing dust from skulls / bones / racks of horns

[Moore, Simon]

Hi Scott,

Best (I've used) is upholstery cleaning foam - brush off surface dust
(obviously) then squirt on foam, rub in until the foam goes nicely grey
then paper towel off, repeat as necessary, damp cloth to remove any
residues and there you are. Should remove dust and ingrained dust stain.



With all good wishes, 
Simon Moore, MIScT, FLS, ACR,
Senior Conservator of Natural Sciences. 
Hampshire County Council,
Department of Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs,
Museums & Archives Service,
Chilcomb House, Chilcomb Lane,
Winchester SO23 8RD. UK.
Internal  8 327 6737
01962 826737
http://www.hants.gov.uk/museum/biology 



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
[mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Scott LaGreca
Sent: 09 September 2009 21:18
To: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:4514] Removing dust from skulls / bones / racks of
horns

Dear All,

We're currently planning for an upcoming special exhibition in which
we're featuring all of our old, mounted ungulate skulls (and racks of
antlers): Elk, waterbuffalo, moose, white-tailed deer, you-name-it.

Many of these specimens have been kept in open-air storage and
accumulated a significant amount of dust. 

Please note, these are not taxidermy mounts; they don't have skins. And
they're not fossils, either. 

I'm sure this topic has circulated here before, but somebody, please
humor me:

How can I safely remove the dust from these old skulls and racks of
horns? What is best practice here with regards to conservation.

Thank you very much,

Scott


Scott LaGreca, PhD
Natural Science Coordinator
Berkshire Museum
39 South Street
Pittsfield, MA  01201  USA
TEL 413-443-7171, ext. 17
FAX 413-443-2135
slagreca at berkshiremuseum.org 

Get immersed in the sights and sounds of living frogs at Berkshire
Museum! Frogs: A Chorus of Colors, on view June 13-November 1, 2009, is
proudly sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union.

For more information visit www.berkshiremuseum.org