Dacron Lining

It is a conservation technique intended to provide a structural support of the photograph after removing a poor quality mount.

You need:

• Plexiglas
• Polyester (Dacron)
• Filtered water  
• Mylar (melinex polyester)
• Wheat starch paste
• Two Japanese brushes (one for applying the starch paste and one for flattening)
• Two pieces of western paper: one Mirage (for support) and one library Bristol board (for aesthetic purposes)
• Scalpel

 How to do:

1. Apply wheat starch paste on plexiglas surface and cover it with a sheet of wet polyester (Dacron).
2. Brush wheat starch paste all over the Dacron, put a damp sheet of Mirage paper on it and apply wheat starch paste.
3. Put the piece of Bristol board on top of the coated Mirage paper.
4. Aside, place the photograph on a separate piece of mylar with the face down and humidify it from both sides.
5. Apply wheat starch paste all over the back of the photograph.
6. Place it on the Bristol board and remove the mylar by rolling it.
7. Wipe the surface of the photograph in order to remove the excess water and leave it to dry for few days.
8. Remove the photograph from the plexiglas and polyester mechanically. Trim it with scalpel.

 Tips:

• For this type of lining the wheat starch paste should be thinner than mending paste.
• Use blender for preparation of the paste because it helps to make it smoother.
• You can use any other paper with smooth surface.