Re: [BKARTS] deacidification of color newsprint

[Peter Verheyen <verheyen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just washing an item in plain (preferably filtered particle and charcoal) 
water will wash out most of the acids in paper, especially with frequent 
changes. What the magnesium (or calcium) provide is an alkaline 
reserve/buffer which will help neutralize further acids that are introduced 
over time. Eventually though, in a poor environment, that buffering can be 
used up too...

But, back to the process described... In addition to the magnesium 
bicarbonate (MgHCO3) and water (H2O), the other essential ingredient is 
carbon dioxide (CO2) , best gotten from plain selzer water (NEVER any of the 
flavored stuff). NEVER use 7-UP/Sprite. It's pure sugar water and will cause 
other problems.

The way the process works is that the CO2 in water allows the MgHCO3 to go 
into solution allowing it to actually penetrate the paper (degree of 
penetration depends to some extent on paper type). Just dumping the MgHCO3 
into the water only suspends it in the water and will leave a grit on the 
surface. Using Milk of Magnesia (tm) can work, but be aware that there are 
also other ingredients in it that may be less desireable.

Note that adding the alkaline reserve/buffering can actually cause some 
papers (such as newsprint) to darken slightly. The same can happen with 
non-aqueous solutions such as Wei T'o and Bookkeeper.

Hope this helps.

_____________________________________

Peter D. Verheyen
Bookbinder & Conservator, PA - AIC
<verheyen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
The Book Arts Web & Book_Arts-L Listserv
<http://www.philobiblon.com>

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Silver MayKitten" <maykitten1@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <BOOK_ARTS-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 2:47 PM
Subject: Re: [BKARTS] deacidification of color newsprint


> One quart warm tap water, 1/2 cup 7-up, or Sprite, 1 tbsp milk
> of magnesia.
>
> Mix the water and milk of magnesia, add to 7-up in a flat
> nonmetallic pan, do not stir, the bubbles are part of the
> magic.
>
> Carefully sink the clippings in the solution making sure not to
> overlap. Let set 10-40 minutes depending on age and condition.
> Pick out clippings and apply to glass like ferrotyping photo
> prints; place the desired image against the glass, being
> careful to roll all the air bubbles out with a brayer. Let the
> glass plate sit until the clippings are entirely dry, and fall
> from the glass on their own.
>
> I like to laminate in archival film as soon as possible after
> the clippings are dried.
>
> I say nonmetallic pan because I had bad luck with an aluminum
> tray.
>
> MaiKätzchen
> --- Teri L Herbert <herbertl@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > What is the best way to deacidify a 2004 newspaper with
> > a color photo in the article?  Is a magnesium-based
> > deacidifying solution safer than a calcium-based one?
> > Have there been any studies on long-term color
> > retention in deacidified newsprint?  Have newspaper
> > inks changed since 2000?  Do different newspaper
> > companies use different inks?
> >
> > Lots of questions and I would love to start a discussion on
> > this
> > challenge.
> >
> > Teri Lynn Herbert
> > Charleston, SC
> > herbertL-at-musc.edu
> >
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>
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