Stained glass restoration

Our Studio is following internationally accepted criteria that apply to stained glass restauration as follows: A) all materials and procedures should be reversible without affecting the piece (B) all intervention must be the least required to achieve the desired end (C) original materials should be retained so far as it possible (D) all conditions, procedures, materials and processes must be recorded (E) the hand or style of the conservator should not be visible to the casual observer on the object (F) the conservator is ethically bound to provide the highest quality restoration within his power.

Our goal is to halt deterioration, stabilize panels and alleviate stress which causes deterioration of the windows. Those problems include: Bulging or sagging, condensation - particularly in between secondary glazing, cracked glass or lead, loose support bars, peeling mortar and white powder on the lead surface (oxidation). Our restoration experts are cleaning the glass using Mechanical and Chemical cleaning processes. Mechanical cleaning tools range from bristle brushes, glass-fiber brushes and scalpels to steel wool, wire brushes and sand paper. The effectiveness of chemical solvents as a cleaning agent is clearly improved when the solvent is used in conjunction with a mechanical cleaning method. Next in prosess we are repairing cracked glass pieces using appropriate mending method such as epoxy glue bonded under ultra-violet light. The process causes no destruction of the original glass. The resulting line of the joint is very narrow and virtually disappears to the eye. If the glass is damaged beyond repair new glass pieces of the same quality and color is cut and replaced. Next step is to re-solder all cracked soldering joints and repair the original lead where necessary. Finally stained glass window panels are re-glazed and new glazing compound is applied. Glazing compound is a mixture of window putty and linseed oil. All the glass needs to be cleaned and polished.