With Spring upon us and Summer on the horizon, we are reading about hands-on cemetery preservation (or cemetery restoration) workshops to be presented in Ohio and in neighboring states.
Please keep in mind that a workshop is only as worthwhile as the quality of the teaching by its instructor.
Gravestone cleaning methods always matter!
Below is a handy sheet to have on hand before attending a cemetery workshop that includes demonstrations and instructions on how to clean gravestones.
Remember that not every gravestone really needs to be cleaned in order to read its inscription!
Less is always more when it comes to gravestones.
It is never appropriate or acceptable to use power tools on gravestones to clean them!
It is never appropriate or acceptable to use power tools on gravestones to clean them!
"NCPTT does not advocate the use of power tools to clean headstones. The use of such tools can abrade and remove granules from weathered marble and limestone. We do not advocate grinding, re-lettering, or polishing headstones as this alters the original surface of the grave marker.
The company that makes Nyalox brushes compares their performance to wire brushes, which are much too harsh for a stone surface. Would you use a Nyalox brush on a power drill to clean the surface of your automobile? If not, then you would not use it to clean a grave marker."
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These abrasive brushes shown below are harmful to gravestone surfaces and have no place at a cemetery workshop no matter who the instructor is!
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| Generally approved gravestone cleaning products -- LEFT COLUMN!! |
