Solvent reactivation of adhesives in textile conservation: survey and comparison with heat reactivation

Abstract

Current practice of solvent reactivation of adhesives in textile conservation was assessed using two methodologies: an international survey of conservators, and practical tests that provided a comparative study between two different reactivation techniques, heat and solvents. Despite some recent technical developments in the application of solvent reactivation for the treatment of textiles, the survey pointed out that conservators are using solvent reactivation techniques less often than more familiar and longer established heat reactivation techniques. The comparative study proved that the two adhesive reactivating techniques (solvents or heat) produce very different results in practice. Moreover, different solvent reactivation techniques (applied via brush or in vapour form) and different solvents used to reactivate the adhesive also produce diverse results. Some of the possible variables to consider when selecting reactivation techniques for adhesives are highlighted.