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Guidelines for Metal Components
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Conservation Actions
Cleaning Metal Components | Repairing Metal Components
General Approach
| Recommended
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Not Recommended
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| Identify the types of metal that make up the Cenotaph/Monument component requiring repair. |
Undertaking repairs to metal components without knowing the type of metal being treated. |
| Determine the cause of deterioration of the metal components requiring repair, through investigation, analysis, monitoring, or testing as required. |
Initiating a repair without understanding the cause of the problem being treated.
Carrying out a repair that does not address the cause of the problem. |
| Document the form, materials and existing condition of the Cenotaph/Monument before and after conservation begins. |
Undertaking project work that will have an impact on metal components without first undertaking a survey of existing conditions. |
| Ensure that all proposed conservation actions for metal components represent minimum interventions to solve identified problems. |
Removing or radically changing significant metal components and finishes. |
| Retain as much of the original material as possible by repairing or replacing only the deteriorated portions. |
Removing major portions of the metal component and replacing with a replica. |
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Conservation Actions
| Recommended
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Not Recommended
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| Protect metals from corrosion by providing proper drainage so that water or organic matter does not stand on horizontal surfaces or accumulate in decorative or curved features. |
Failing to identify, evaluate, and treat causes of corrosion. |
| Ensure that all metals in direct contact with each other are of types that will not cause galvanic corrosion. |
Placing incompatible metals together without providing a reliable separation material to prevent galvanic corrosion. |
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Cleaning Metal Components
| Recommended
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Not Recommended
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| Clean metals, when appropriate, to remove corrosion prior to refinishing. |
Failing to recognize when cleaning is inappropriate for the particular metal. |
| Identify the particular types of metal prior to any cleaning procedure to ensure that the gentlest cleaning method possible and the appropriate level of cleanliness are selected. |
Using cleaning methods that alter or damage the original patina, colour, texture, and finish of the metal; or cleaning when it is inappropriate for the metal.
Removing the original patina of the metal, which may be a protective coating on some metals, such as bronze or copper.
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| Clean soft metals such as lead, tin, copper, terneplate, aluminium and zinc with appropriate chemicals methods because blasting methods can easily abrade their finishes. |
Cleaning soft metals such as lead, tin, copper, terneplate, aluminium and zinc, with grit blasting or other abrasive methods, or using tools such as wire brushing, which will abrade the surface of the metal. |
| Use the gentlest cleaning methods for hard irons: cast iron, wrought iron, and steel, in order to remove paint build-up and corrosion. If hand-scraping and wire brushing have proven ineffective, low pressure dry grit blasting may be used as long as it does not abrade or damage the metal surface. |
Failing to employ gentler methods prior to abrasively cleaning cast iron, wrought iron or steel; or using high pressure grit blasting. |
| Protect adjacent materials during cleaning so as to avoid damage by abrasion or chemical reaction. |
Failing to mask or otherwise protect adjacent masonry, wood or other metal surfaces during metal cleaning. |
| Re-apply an appropriate paint or coating system after cleaning in order to decrease the corrosion rate of metals or alloys. |
Failing to re-apply protective coating systems to metals or alloys that require them after cleaning so that accelerated corrosion occurs. |
| After cleaning, leave metal surfaces meant to be exposed without further treatment. |
Applying paint, lacquer, or other coatings to metal surfaces meant to be exposed. |
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Repairing Metal Components
| Recommended
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Not Recommended
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| Use only personnel experienced in the metal being repaired. |
Using untrained personnel for repairs to metal components, thus causing further damage to fragile elements. |
| Test all chemicals and consolidants for their interactions with the particular metals with which they will be in contact, as part of planning for the repairs. |
Using untested chemicals and consolidants thus causing further damage to fragile metal elements. |
| Retain sound metal elements, or deteriorated metal elements that can be repaired. |
Replacing metal elements that can be repaired. |
| Stabilize deteriorated metal elements by structural reinforcement, weather protection, or by correcting unsafe conditions as required, until final repairs are undertaken. Repairs should be physically and visually compatible. |
Removing deteriorated metal elements that could be stabilized on site, or leaving metal components in precarious states for long periods of time while waiting for repairs to be implemented. |
| Follow recognized conservation methods when repairing metal features by welding, patching, splicing, or otherwise reinforcing the metal. |
Using metal repair techniques common to auto body shops or other commercial situations when treating the metal elements of a Cenotaph/Monument. |
| Repairs may include limited replacement, in kind or with a compatible substitute material, for those extensively deteriorated or missing components. |
Replacing an entire metal element when repair of the metal and limited replacement of deteriorated or missing components are appropriate. |
| When replacing an entire metal component too deteriorated to repair, use the remaining physical evidence as a model to reproduce the substitute part. If the same kind of material is not technically or economically feasible, then a compatible substitute may be considered. |
Removing a metal element that is irreparable and not replacing it. |
| When replacement of a metal component is required, use a new metal element that conveys the same visual appearance, and is physically and visually compatible with the other parts of the Cenotaph/Monument. |
Using a substitute material for the replacement part that neither conveys the visual appearance of the surviving parts of the metal feature, or that is physically or chemically incompatible. |
| Re-paint metal components, if warranted, with colours that are appropriate to the Cenotaph/Monument. |
Using new colours that are inappropriate to the Cenotaph/Monument. |
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