Documents are important pieces of our history, often containing valuable information that must be preserved. However, even with the best care, documents can suffer damage over time, such as tears, stains, and general wear and tear. Fortunately, many of these problems can be resolved with minor repairs, allowing you to continue enjoying your documents.
One of the most common document repairs is patching tears. If the tear is small and does not affect the contents of the document, you can repair it with a piece of high-quality Japanese paper and a starch paste or methylcellulose glue.
The process involves cutting a piece of Japanese paper slightly larger than the tear, applying starch paste or CMC glue to the back of the paper, and gently pressing it onto the tear.
Another common problem is the presence of mold stains or other types of stains. To deal with these types of problems, it is important to remove the document from the humid environment and allow it to dry completely.
Source: https://www.rsl.ru/en/international-events/events/document-restoration-conservatism-and-innovations-2021
In addition to these repairs, other minor document problems can be fixed with special adhesive tapes, stain removers, and other document-specific repair solutions. However, it is important to remember that these solutions should be used sparingly and only in cases where the damage is minor and does not compromise the integrity of the document. And don't forget that interventions like these must be carried out by a conservator of cultural assets!
In summary, small repairs to documents can extend their useful life and ensure that the information contained in them is preserved for longer. However, it is important to remember that some problems may require the help of a professional conservator.
Do you want to know more about this topic?
We have a new course waiting for you here! See details of the course with Profa. Fernanda Auada about Conservation of Books and Documents
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