Restore Laser Paints

2002/09/26 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Teknologia
• Fisika

However, Marta Castillejo and her team have presented the way to use the laser to restore pictures. Researchers have published their work in the specialized journal Analitical Chemistry and it seems that it can be well received. According to the results of this research, the laser does not harm the pictures, but has been shown to be better than the chemical methods used now.

Influence of time

The restoration work removes dirt from the surface and reveals the original colours.

Over time, the paints are covered with dirt and the varnish darkens. In addition, at other times it tended to increase the materials to modify or restore the paintings. On the other hand, natural disasters can also be very harmful, just see the influence of the last floods in central Europe. To remove all these materials and remove the pigments to the surface, solvents and chemicals are used, but very careful not to damage the picture and are not very favorable for the environment.

For their resolution, the researchers were assisted by the European Union and the General Council for Scientific Research (CSIC). During the research a gas laser has been used that takes advantage of crypton fluoride, obtaining a light with a certain wavelength in the spectrum of ultraviolets.

The laser has been tested in paints with natural and synthetic pigments, both coated with varnishes and uncovered. Keep in mind that the old paint wore a layer of varnish to protect the paint. In these cases, the laser does not cause any damage to the paints. But even those with no varnish, very few changes occur and are easily controlled by changing some laser parameters.

Laser benefits

To clean the dirt that covers the frame, as well as to leave the pigments below, the laser is controlled by computer. As the materials are removed from the frame, the system is able to analyze the components thanks to a carrying spectroscope.

Other positive aspects of this laser method are the greater control of the work area, as well as the quantity and quantity of material to be removed. In addition, it is less harmful to the environment than the conventional method and has proven that it serves to restore paintings damaged by fire. But at the moment the prototype they have made is not portable, but they are already working to achieve it.