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Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

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shell or horn itself may be dyed with a light<br />

fast water soluble dye by simmering the shell<br />

gently for a few minutes, though extended<br />

simmering will cause shell and horn to delaminate.<br />

The overall tone of the dyed shell may<br />

then be adjusted by using pigmented glue or<br />

paper underneath. In some cases, for example<br />

when matching an adjacent surface, it may be<br />

necessary to apply a varnish or tinted glaze.<br />

Many alternatives to turtleshell and horn<br />

have been utilized and include a variety of<br />

pigmented fill materials from sealing wax,<br />

shellac, epoxy resin, polyester resin, guitar<br />

picks and acetate sheets (Lochhead, 1989). It<br />

may be possible to cast replacements, though<br />

polyesters may require the addition of an inert<br />

powder to impart opacity. Imitation turtle shell<br />

can be made from epoxy resin tinted with<br />

Orasol dyes (Ciba–Geigy). As with the ivory<br />

substitute described above, the dyed epoxy<br />

can be accurately rolled to thickness between<br />

guides or in a rolling mill before it has<br />

completely set (Figure 15.1a,b). If a thermoset<br />

is cast directly into the surface a reversible<br />

isolating layer should be used.<br />

Coatings<br />

Wax may be used as a coating to resaturate<br />

an aged surface, matte surface. A mixture of<br />

beeswax and carnauba wax paste may impart<br />

a high sheen.<br />

15.1.3 Mother-of-pearl<br />

Although mother-of-pearl is an organic material,<br />

it has a high inorganic content. It is nonporous,<br />

brittle and may be prone to<br />

delamination. Calcium in the shell will be<br />

attacked in acidic conditions. Shells and shell<br />

material can be attacked by organic acids in the<br />

air and show fuzzy crystals of calcium formate,<br />

sometimes known as Bynes disease (Tennent<br />

and Baird, 1985). Long exposure to acidic<br />

conditions may completely destroy the shell.<br />

The susceptibility to acids was exploited in the<br />

past to etch shell. Wax was applied to the shell,<br />

a design traced through the wax, and the shell<br />

then dipped into an acidic solution, etching the<br />

surface of the shell where it was exposed.<br />

Cleaning<br />

A dampened swab is usually sufficient to clean<br />

mother-of-pearl, though acidic solutions<br />

(a)<br />

(b)<br />

Conserving other materials I 673<br />

Figure 15.1 Epoxy turtleshell substitute: (a) rolling to<br />

the required thickness using a rolling mill; (b) substitute<br />

ready to be cut to shape<br />

should be avoided. Organic solvents may be<br />

used if they are compatible with the adjacent<br />

surfaces. Hydrocarbon solvents are effective in<br />

removing greasy accretions. Atmospheric

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