Sharing this blog post by the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training just posted today entitled: "Abrasive Cleaning of Grave Markers"
This article can also be accessed from the home page of the National Park Service.
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Thanking Dr. Mary Striegel for answering my question in the post concerning the use of abrasive tools on gravestones such as "Nyalox Brushes"* that rotate on power drills used to clean and 'polish' the surface of a gravestone for inscription reading purposes, etc.; and often promoted for use in the name of restoring a gravestone to its original state.
No one is saying that these types of brushes do not have their proper place for an appropriate and effective use. In my opinion, a gravestone is not one of them. As this article points out, if you would not use this type of a power tool to clean "the surface of your automobile" ...."then you would not use it to clean a grave marker."
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I encourage anyone who has questions regarding using any power tool on a gravestone to please devote a few moments to read this story, and consider that it is worth it to you and the gravestone to make the choice to use the least aggressive methods first -- methods that are non-invasive, non-toxic, and almost free!
For reading faint inscriptions on gravestones, try using mirrors ** to reflect sunlight on the names and dates.
If you feel you must clean, use plain water; it is recommended to use distilled water***.
Please review all of your options before taking even a scraper, or a brush, to a gravestone. Or, applying a chemical. Try the least abrasive and invasive techniques such as those mentioned above first. It will benefit both you and the gravestone with this approach!
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