AC Wellman was engaged by Continental Office to restore three antique plaques from Wabash College. The three plaques, Wilson, Cayou, and Harper were picked up at Wabash College and brought back to our shop. The plaques were cleaned with soft plastic bristle brushes and mild soaps. There was more than 80 man hours spent cleaning the plaques. After the paint stains and green patinas were removed several shadow areas were exposed that could only be cleaned by being blasted with soda. Very little blasting was required because they were first cleaned with mild soaps and soft bristle brushes.
Harper and Cayou plaques designed by C.P. Jennewein
Once the plaques were properly cleaned, the original patina was reapplied by sweating plaques and applying patina. After the patina was applied a generous layer of Johnson Paste Wax was applied to each plaque while the plaques were warm. This insured that the wax penetrated all areas and pores of the bronze. Plaques were then packed and delivered to Wabash College.
Wilson plaque designed by Rudolph Schwartz
