WhatsApp usWe are happy to assist with paper impacted by foxing, stains or full discolouration. Please fill out the form below and we will be in touch with a bespoke treatment plan.
Foxing & Discoloured Paper Restoration
Yellowing paper, stains and speckled surfaces can all be restored by our conservator with sensitive methods. We can restore small and widespread areas of foxing, as well as acid damage and water stains. The results will remove contamination and allow your artwork to be displayed in its best possible condition for preservation.Â
Our paper conservator is able to restore paper that has become disturbed by stains, whether these are contained to one area or widespread.
Discolouration can hinder the visual impact of watercolours, drawings, maps, certificates and more. Although it may look extreme or disheartening, it can usually be restored with great success.
Expert paper conservation
Professional cleaning of paper artworks can achieve the safe removal of typical issues such as foxing, mount stains, accidental damage and atmospheric contaminants.
After testing the sensitivities of each pigment and material, we can sensitively treat the staining without disturbing the original application of ink, pencil or paint.
What causes yellow paper?
Historic paper has often been through many challenging environments. Over time it may have been exposed to open fire places, smoke and moisture. Tide lines from accidental spills, floods or humidity can also darken the composition.
Discoloured prints, artworks and documents are most often caused by:
- Old age
- Foxing
- Acidic framing materials
- Mould growth
- Water damage
- Accidental spills
- Nicotine exposure
- Open fireplaces
Depending on what the paper was made of, the surface can become a dark brown or yellow hue. Some forms of historic paper are simply more robust and high quality whilst others are weaken and easily deteriorate without well-considered care. We are happy to help you assess this and find the best possible solutions for preservation.
Acid stains and mount burn
Paper artworks and documents often have damage created by the frame or mount they reside in. This is due to the acidity of the surrounding materials, as well as tape and other adhesives which were used to hold it in place.
Our most frequent treatment for paper is the removal of acidic backing boards, adhesives and surface staining. An artwork or document that has been affected can be gently washed in a tailored solution, lifting the yellow and dark contamination whilst preserving the historic or artistic integrity.
In many cases the results are truly remarkable, allowing a historic piece to finally be viewed in its original condition.
Removal of acidic issues will also help to preserve the paper and stop the issue from worsening once it is reinstalled in a conservation appropriate frame.
Foxing spot removal
Brown spots or freckles forming on paper is known as foxing. This is a typical variety of discolouration and one that can continue to spread across antique prints, watercolours or documents until it is professionally treated.
Foxing often occurs due to the chemical composition of the paper itself and can be encouraged to spread further in humid environments.
These rusty brown marks can be removed with sensitive and tested methods. Gentle cleansing of the paper is conducted in a solution tailored to the needs of the materials, ensuring that does not disturb the pigments, pencil or ink. Spot cleaning can also be performed to treat minimal areas, reducing the visual issues as much as is safe and possible for the conservation of the paper.