Open Forum

Hello Mel,

If you have any doubt than do not use the blocks.  I have used them as well at home and they may be a bit much for your application.  I feel that the less is more approach would work well in your situation.  Although this is without seeing the object.  But anytime you have a doubt then stick with your gut and do some additional research into cleaning methods,

Magic Erasers contain microscopic abrasives which can easily polish off softer bronze/brass oxidation (patina).  Depending on what kind of paint (oil or latex) is spattered on the plaque, the Magic Eraser may or may not be effective.  Not a prudent idea...  MHE

Is the plaque accessioned, meaning - does it have an accession number on it?  If not, you philosophically have the freedom to try and clean it as you wish. If it has a number on it, conservation protocols should kick in and I would avoid any do-it-yourself cleaning attempts.

Steve

Thank you, everyone who responded.

You all reinforced what my instincts were telling me, but you never know--sometimes there are commercial alternatives to some of our problems. I've not allowed the use of a Magic Eraser and I'll get back with my staff and volunteers to let them know that that's still the case.

Also, while this plaque isn't an accessioned item, I still like to give my advice to the public as if it were. "It's your item, and you can do with it what you will, but speaking as a curator I would recommend..."

If it helps your discussion, here's an example you might use. Think of regular pencil erasers. If you erase too hard or too long, you damage the paper. There's no real way to distinguish between when you're just erasing the pencil and when you're affecting the paper.

That's a great analogy. Thank you.