Conservation of a KayakAfter the skin was stabilized, for esthetic reasons and visibility the splits were "filled" with high grade lambskin cut to the shape of the split. This was glued to the Japanese laminating paper with Acryloid B-72 and then retouched with waterpaints. Other splits were only cracks and were simply retouched once they were laminated.
Drawing the pattern of the split on "Mylar"
Cutting out the sheepskin using the pattern
The glue is spread on the reinforcing Japanese paper
Positioning the leather within the split on Japanese paper
Adjusting the fit of the leather with a scalpel
Retouches on lambskin in progress
To secure the backing, the tourniquet technique was used, along with several pieces of cardboard. Retouches to tear lines used waterpaints on a protective film of a 2% Ethulose 400 in distilled water.
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