Restoration Services

ACA Paper Restoration offers services ranging from basic conservation to complex restoration. Our service extends from fine art prints and paintings to personal pieces that hold sentimental value. See the detailed list of items we restore on the right side of this page.

The following is a list of the conservation and restoration services we offer, in addition to an explanation of each:

Cleanings:  Works on paper are cleaned with a variety of aqueous solutions for the purpose of oxidizing and removing staining in the paper. We start with a mild cleaning solution and will increase the strength as necessary to clean the paper without risking any damage to the pigment or paper.

All pieces are tested to determine if and how they can be cleaned most effectively and appropriately.  Pieces with fugitive pigments are cleaned by having the image templated and sealed before spray cleaning the exposed paper areas (watercolors, for instance).

Works on paper that cannot be exposed to water can be improved with a dry surface cleaning using ground vinyl erasers and cleaning sponges.

Deacidification:  This refers to the neutralization of acid present in the paper.  This process will not change the appearance of the piece, but will inhibit toning and deterioration of the paper and pigments.  We deacidify paper with a pH neutralizing agent that we add to a bath of cleaning solution.  We spray the solution onto pieces that cannot be bathed.  Deacidification is the essence of paper conservation.

Pressing:  We use a temperature controlled vacuum press to flatten most of the pieces we work on.  We also have a manual book press for pieces that are too fragile to expose to heat and/or suction.

Pressing a work on paper will diminish creases, rippling and curling.  It also helps diminish the appearance of tears and textural abrasions.

Mat, Backing and Tape Removal:  If a piece is stable enough to be submerged in a bath, most mats, backings and tape will “float” off.  Frequently, water will break down adhesive, but a solvent may also need to be used to remove a backing adhered with a non-water soluable adhesive (heat mounted pieces, for instance).

If the piece cannot be submerged, the mats, backings and tape are removed manually, using dry processes, as well as applied heat.

Patching and Backing:  In most cases, we use an archival semi-transparent tissue-like paper for patching.  We also use a variety of mulberry papers adhered with wheat paste or methyl cellulose to mend tears.  Backings are done on archival paper or mat board, depending on what is most appropriate.  We use only reversible archival adhesives.

Retouch:  Retouch is applied where there is missing or faded pigment.  When inpainting, the appropriate medium is matched with the specific piece that is being worked on. 

Mold Treatment:   A common problem with works on paper is mold growth and staining.

Mold and mildew can stain and deteriorate paper.  It can also compromise pigment.  We can remove superficial mold growth, clean staining and eliminate residual mold spores.