stripping Zubar murials

[waytogogeorges]

I got a call to remove alot of very old Zubars I was in this house about five years ago. I would never forget that because It was the first ones I ever seen. I knew what the person was describing on phone. She is moving and wants to take them. I remember that they were hung on plastered walls and were alot of earlier bad repairs. I could not tell at that time if they were hung on muzlin and blankstock. I never stripped this type of murial. How should i go about this removal also if they come off do you number them and how do i preserve them? When i go to look at this job is there any test i should make to determine if they can be removed.

Dennis George C.P.
Hung Right Wallpaper Specialist

[Jeff Evans]

Murph, Barry Blanchard and Bob Kelly would be the ones to start with on these. Heaven help you if they didn't use muslin....:eek:

[cgreene]

Hey Denice, How you been? You might talk to Mike also. He once told me to get piano wire behind and work down. Hope it has some kind of Liner will make it a lot easier.

[waytogogeorges]

Thanks for the piano wire idea. How would you preserve the panels?

[waytogogeorges]

Thanks Jeff...I'll communicate with the other guys.

[B Blanchard]

This is a risky and difficult project and one that has potential for serious liability. Proceed with caution and don't promise too much. Normally, this is a job for a conservator and they get a lot of money to do removal and restoration of antique murals.

Do you know which scenic it is? If it's one Zuber still makes and it's in bad shape the client may consider getting a new one ($$$$$). The old one has very little value if it can be reprinted. If it's one that is no longer made the value goes way up.

Do you know when it was installed? If it's printed on paper (as opposed to rag paper) it will most likely be very brittle. Even if it's on muslin, when you pull away from the wall the inks and paper will likely crack and tear.

Keep in mind that the colors are water soluble (unless it was coated). Removal will have to be dry.

If there is a loose corner, tear or an electric plate or fixture you can get behind you should be able to determine if there is muslin. If you see lining paper, dig below that to see if there is muslin under the lining paper. If there is muslin you should be able to CAREFULLY pull up a corner, get a spatula or broad knife behind the muslin and slowly work it off. You will probably want a second pair of hands to support the scenic as it comes loose. Most likely the muslin will be one large piece per wall so you will be taking down several panels of wallpaper at once.

If there isn't muslin I don't think you will have any success getting it off. I haven't tried the wire technique. It sounds like it would be worth a try. Again, a two person job.

You should expect to cause some damage to the paper. Be sure to tell the client in advance. Don't be afraid to stop if it's not going well. By all rights, this is a job for a conservator and they are highly trained.

You should check with a conservator on how to store the panels. General guide lines: remove the backing materials if possible, clean as best as you can, store flat if possible, keep dry and cool, cover in acid free paper. If you need to roll it up, roll on a tube with the colors facing in. Again, check with a conservator on storage.

No need to number them as each panel is unique (unless it's more than one complete set). I would take photos of the panels before taking down as a reference. (Second thoughts - might as well number them.)

If you are able to get the paper off the wall, rehanging will be a nightmare with having it properly treated and repaired.

Sorry if I sound pessimistic. I agree with Jeff that without muslin you will need divine powers to get it off. Hopefully, you will get lucky and there will be a muslin backing. Let us know what happens and good luck.

[Parodi]

This is a risky and difficult project and one that has potential for serious liability. ....

That sure is an understatement. If you have contractors insurance to the hilt it would still be a miracle if you are covered for work of this sort if the client makes a claim against you. If the client has a fine artwork rider on their home insurance it is only to cover accidental damage to the artwork from burst pipes or smoke....not an intentional attempt at removal and restoration. This project must be considered a "restoration" since they want it removed and later installed.... and as such IMO the project needs a conservator with their own type of insurance for that field.


And now a little story: I did a wallpaper estimate for a woman years ago and I didn't hear from her for 3 years. When I was there hanging the paper I asked her why it took three years to call me. She told me her husband owned a jewelry shop. A customer came in to have a diamond ring appraised. While the customer was there she pointed out the stone had a little looseness in the setting. Her husband the jeweler, being helpful, carried the ring a little way down the street to his friend who fabricated jewelry so that he could take a look. Somehow, by the application of heat, the friend cracked the $60,000 diamond and guess who got sued? Her husband did because technically the diamond was "in his care" during the damage and he was not insured for such an incident...only theft.

[waytogogeorges]

Jim:

Thanks for the story. After looking at this job, I know that it is something that is way beyond my powers. I don't even know of any conservator her in the Desert.
THAT WAS MY DIAMOND!!! hee hee :cry:

[cgreene]

Parodi, Concrats on your 100th post. We need more like you.

[Parodi]

Parodi, Concrats on your 100th post. We need more like you.

Thanks. But my mother used to tell me, "One of you is enough.":)

[Chris Nelson]

Thanks. But my mother used to tell me, "One of you is enough.":)

I think I have heard that from mine also.:notworthy:

[waytogogeorges]

This is a risky and difficult project and one that has potential for serious liability. Proceed with caution and don't promise too much. Normally, this is a job for a conservator and they get a lot of money to do removal and restoration of antique murals.

Do you know which scenic it is? If it's one Zuber still makes and it's in bad shape the client may consider getting a new one ($$$$$). The old one has very little value if it can be reprinted. If it's one that is no longer made the value goes way up.

Do you know when it was installed? If it's printed on paper (as opposed to rag paper) it will most likely be very brittle. Even if it's on muslin, when you pull away from the wall the inks and paper will likely crack and tear.

Keep in mind that the colors are water soluble (unless it was coated). Removal will have to be dry.

If there is a loose corner, tear or an electric plate or fixture you can get behind you should be able to determine if there is muslin. If you see lining paper, dig below that to see if there is muslin under the lining paper. If there is muslin you should be able to CAREFULLY pull up a corner, get a spatula or broad knife behind the muslin and slowly work it off. You will probably want a second pair of hands to support the scenic as it comes loose. Most likely the muslin will be one large piece per wall so you will be taking down several panels of wallpaper at once.

If there isn't muslin I don't think you will have any success getting it off. I haven't tried the wire technique. It sounds like it would be worth a try. Again, a two person job.

You should expect to cause some damage to the paper. Be sure to tell the client in advance. Don't be afraid to stop if it's not going well. By all rights, this is a job for a conservator and they are highly trained.

You should check with a conservator on how to store the panels. General guide lines: remove the backing materials if possible, clean as best as you can, store flat if possible, keep dry and cool, cover in acid free paper. If you need to roll it up, roll on a tube with the colors facing in. Again, check with a conservator on storage.

No need to number them as each panel is unique (unless it's more than one complete set). I would take photos of the panels before taking down as a reference. (Second thoughts - might as well number them.)

If you are able to get the paper off the wall, rehanging will be a nightmare with having it properly treated and repaired.

Sorry if I sound pessimistic. I agree with Jeff that without muslin you will need divine powers to get it off. Hopefully, you will get lucky and there will be a muslin backing. Let us know what happens and good luck.