Laser cleaning of varnish from bog oak surface

Abstract

The removal of varnish is a very challenging task in the conservation of wooden artifacts. The results of experiments performed to investigate the suitability of lasers for cleaning aged varnish from bog oak wood (ebony) are presented in this paper. Optimal laser parameters for safe and efficient varnish ablation were determined in order to preserve the integrity of the original wooden substrate during the cleaning process. The ablation threshold for varnish and wood damage threshold was examined using Nd:YAG laser (1064, 532 and 355 nm) emitting pulses of nanosecond (8 ns) duration. Results of induced varnish removal and other morphological alterations to the wood surface were investigated by optical microscopy and colorimetry.