Removal of cobwebs
Cleaning trials were undertaken and the development of the cleaning continued through the contract in response to the changes to the decorative surface. The most successful methods were as follows:
• The removal of superficial dirt such as cobwebs and dust with a range of soft brushes. Where cobwebs on the surface were present the brushes were used in a simple sweeping motion. Where bat urine and heavier dirt deposits were present the brush was used in a stippling movement to reveal the paint below. The areas where the paint was flaking and lacked any cohesion were left until the consolidation trials were complete.
• Wet cleaning using Ammonium Carbonate at 2% in water and then rinsed with neat water. Both applications (the ammonium carbonate one and the water rinsed one) were undertaken through lens tissue, which worked as an intervention layer in order to safely work on the paint layers without moving the pigments particles.
• Where the paint layers were stable Wishab sponges were effective at increasing the clarity of the decoration. This applied mainly to the friezes at higher level.
| The middle section of the north wall before the conservation programme |  |
| The north side of the east elevation before conservation |  |
| The south side of the east elevation before conservation |  |
| Wet cleaning using Ammonium Carbonate at 2% in water and then rinsed with neat water. Both applications (the ammonium carbonate one and the water rinsed one) were undertaken through lens tissue, which worked as an intervention layer in order to safely work on the paint layers without moving the pigments particles. |  |
| the top frieze of the South and North walls was treated with a solution of Paraloid B72 in Acetone and White Spirit in low concentration (2 gr of Paraloid B72 in 660ml of Acetone and 330 ml of White spirit). |  |
| The rest of the decorative surface has been consolidated using Tri-Funori in water (1 gr of Tri-Funori in 200 ml of water). |  |
| Pure Red Oxide, min water, Stippled. Base, Pure White Limewash on lime render. |  |
| The Cross, Blue Ultramarine, min water, painted. Note the Blue disappearing and turning yellow on the lime wash. Over coated with Prussian Blue, min water, painted. Red design, Red Iron Oxide, min water, stippled. Base, Pure white lime wash on lime render. |  |
| Leaf and border, Red Iron Oxide, min water, stippled. Flowers, Dark blue, Blue ultramarine, min water painted. Light blue, Blue ultramarine with lime, min water, painted Yellow, Yellow Ochre and Lime, min water, painted. Dark Yellow, Yellow ochre, min water, painted. Base, Pure white limewash on lime render. |  |
| Detail of the middle section of decoration after cleaning |  |
| East elevation on the north side after cleaning |  |
| The south elevation high level frieze after cleaning |  |
| East elevation on the north side after cleaning | |