The Repair of Wrought and Cast Iron Work - Dublin City Council
The Repair of Wrought and Cast Iron Work - Dublin City Council
The Repair of Wrought and Cast Iron Work - Dublin City Council
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IRON THE REPAIR OF WROUGHT AND CAST IRONWORK<br />
Accurately recording the position <strong>of</strong> each element <strong>of</strong><br />
ironwork is essential <strong>and</strong> enables ironwork to be<br />
reinstated correctly after repairs. <strong>The</strong> railings<br />
illustrated above appear to have been reinstated in<br />
the wrong positions, resulting in a misalignment <strong>of</strong><br />
the railing feet <strong>and</strong> original corresponding sockets in<br />
the coping stones<br />
Analysing existing coatings<br />
<strong>and</strong> paint layers<br />
Original decorative schemes, such as gilding,<br />
can be hidden under layers <strong>of</strong> modern paint<br />
(Image courtesy <strong>of</strong> Historic Scotl<strong>and</strong>)<br />
Layers <strong>of</strong> paint accumulate over the years <strong>and</strong> later<br />
paint may conceal early or original coatings. For<br />
ironwork <strong>of</strong> any significance it is advisable to take<br />
paint samples which can be pr<strong>of</strong>essionally analysed<br />
under a microscope. <strong>The</strong>se may reveal original or<br />
earlier colour schemes <strong>and</strong> the types <strong>of</strong> coatings<br />
which were applied. See also page 16.<br />
For smaller projects, this need not be an expensive<br />
undertaking. A feathered cut into ironwork can also be<br />
an effective means <strong>of</strong> revealing consecutive layers <strong>of</strong><br />
colour. But it needs to be borne in mind that different<br />
coats – primer, build coat, <strong>and</strong> top coat – were <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
different colours, making it difficult to recognise which<br />
layer was the finished appearance <strong>of</strong> the paintwork.<br />
Primers can sometimes be easily distinguished as they<br />
were <strong>of</strong>ten a red colour, particularly where traditional<br />
red lead paint was used. Some paint colours will have<br />
changed from their original appearance under the<br />
influence <strong>of</strong> sunlight <strong>and</strong> other factors.<br />
Analysis <strong>of</strong> paint scrapings can reveal much about<br />
earlier decorative schemes. Even viewing a section<br />
through the paint layers with the naked eye can<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten reveal useful information about underlying<br />
coats <strong>of</strong> paint<br />
37