By S. M. El-Sheikh, Mona F. Ali , Kholod K.Salama
ABSTRACT
Cleaning mural paintings using microemulsions were applied by means of export poultice technique (50:50)
mixture of Arbocel BC 1000 and Arbocel BC 200 (type of pure cellulous fibers). The cleaning fluid is added to
pure cellulose until the saturation of pulp is converted into compress which apply to the cleaned surface. In
current study, three global successful microemulsions were chosen to be used in cleaning models of fresco
paintings from the monastery of saint Jeremiah using three kinds of available local low cost pulps (paper
pulps – cotton fiber – wood mulch (sawdust)) instead of the Arbocel. The results are supported by optical
microscope, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra for the poultices after treatment to define the solubilizing
spots in the compresses after treatment. The paper pulp is the most successful compress as it contained
the wax and glue spots with the three kinds of microemulsions compared to sawdust and cotton fiber.
