Help with a Detolf display

[Izhak]

Hi!

I have been trying to spend some time fixing my display now, but Im a bit worried.. I have many different kind of stuff, ground dug, new, paper, cloth different metals etc (all german ww2 stuff ). Could this be a problem, thinking that maybe all these different materials affect each other in some way?

When cleaning the cabinet, should I be careful with what I use, e.g glass spray etc. Even if I wipe it all off, maybe it affects the air or something, kind of changes the "athmosphere" if you know what I mean

Also, I recently made myself "stands" in wood, oak. The wood is "oiled" with regular oil that you use on wood to make it shiny, dont know the word :P Could this oil be a problem?

Please, any help would be awesome!

regards Isak

[Izhak]

While Im at it, I have one other question..

I like having a bit of paper as a background in my frames, with a photo in front of a bit of regular black or white paper, could this be bad? Maybe the paper will be harmful for the photographs in time...

//Isak

[Izhak]

Hm, pitty I cant remove or change my posts... I have searched the forums now on another computer and I found a lot of answers there that I couldnt see with my other comp..

Still wondering about the first questions though

[Snni]

I would like to help, but I really dont know so much about it. Hope you get a answer to your question.
Regards

[Paul R.]

Isa, Lots of questions to answer. Answer to post number 2. Plain paper will out gas. Use an archival paper, or an archival corrugated plastic boards. They come in several colors. Usually a larger frame or hobby shop carries them. Be sure that they are archival safe. One company is called light impressions. They have them or any other archival supply companies.
Yes a mixture of materials can be harmful to each other. You first and biggest enemy is humidity. Humidity should be between 43% – 45 % 24/7/365. Glass cleaner is a chemical and leaves behind a residue. Use straight up vinegar and wipe completely off the class surface.
Yes, the sites nay Sayers will tell that nothing will happen to your items. They are not fans of conservation and never will be. Of course these are your items to do with as you see fit.
<O</O

[schönbeck]

at least here in sweden its called acid free paper. Acid paper was used in the artbusiness on all framings behind glass. THis caused all lithographs damages. At least here in Sweden they dont sell it any more for that purpose.
Like Paul says, visit a hobby shop or a shop that frames artwork.

Humidity is ofcourse a problem but it depends on where you live, here in Sweden it isnt that much of a problem.

[Izhak]

Paul R. and schönbeck, thank you!

I will go out looking for that acid free paper or archival paper, but do you know what paper size they usually are? Do you think it would be OK to use that paper as background and then attach a regular piece of glass with clips on it, or do I need to find any special glass aswell?

I think I read here somewhere that one of Detolfs problems is that it lets in dust, but that you should not seal it because it could build up gas or something, could this be from the acid paper?

No I dont think that humidity is a problem for me, but whats the cheapest way to find out my humidity level?
I really want to preserve my items as good as I can but since I like displaying it I dont want it lying in boxes in the bank or something, even if thats probably the best way to keep them =P

[Izhak]

Any one to help with the other questions? I really dont want to start fixing my cabinet before I know what safe and not

Regards

[Paul R.]

Hi
Acid free paper comes in many different sizes and lenghts. Yes you can us it for a background or place items on the paper. I would use a VU glass only if it diaplay is near a lot of light sun or house lights. You can also use a uv cling type of film to cover your glass, but the film rendered a fuzzy image.

Can you post photos. I'm not use as to what you are asking?? Detolfs along should not attract dust ??? acid free paper is not a dust magnet.
I would invest in a good accurate humidity guage. Humidity should be between 43 -45 % 24/7 365.

[Izhak]

Hi!
For now I will keep my photos in the shadow, will work out a plan in the future for both UV ligth and humidity..

What I meant was that since Detolf isnt completly sealed, the door leaves 1 cm on each side open where dust from my room, floor, can come in. No the paper itself shouldnt attract dust..

Im really curious about what I should use for cleaning the cabinets glass parts, Im worried that glass cleaner spray could make a harmful enviroment, since its probably full of chemicals.. And my wooden display stands, I use plastic displaystands so my medals wont tuch the wood/oil, but again, perhaps the oil will affect the enviroment..

Regards
Isak

[Izhak]

I see that this thread isnt goint anywhere so I try again; Is regular glass spray good for cleaning the glass in my cabinet or could this be bad for the enviroment in the cabinet? Many objects lies on top of the glass so it will have contact with the surface...

Any thoughts??

[Paul R.]

Hi IzhaK.. Sorry I over looked your question. As far as glass cleaner it best to use vinegar. Ammonia base cleaners leave and ammonia film behind. Vinegar will evaporate usually with in 15/20 minutes complestely with no residue left behind. Yes the nay sayers will disagree. It's you choice

[A.H. Thomassen]

While Im at it, I have one other question..

I like having a bit of paper as a background in my frames, with a photo in front of a bit of regular black or white paper, could this be bad? Maybe the paper will be harmful for the photographs in time...

//Isak

Well Isak, beeing a paper-buff myself i just scan the original (documents/photos), and then display the "copy" in a standard black frame. The original goes back in my archival type of albums. By doing this you can drool all you like but in the same time beeing assured that it does not effect your original paperwork

Here's the way i've displayed my "Hermann Künne" grouping.


AH

[bobcam1]

This is a GREAT idea for the display of paper items.....VERY nice!

Cheers,
Bob.

[Izhak]

A.H, That really was a great display! Thanks for the idea!
What kind of scanner do I need to make such good copies? And the printer should be good aswell?
I really have to try that, it would be good as you can make them smaller and dont fill up the entire display

Thanks