Although Chartex is described as “removable” in every source I could find that mentioned it by name…it requires heating your object up to 200ºF. That’s 93.3ºC – twice as much heat as is typically used to apply heat-set tissue mends. And after 30-40 years after it’s application, the Chartex adhesive has probably undergone at least some degree of cross-linking. And let’s not forget that this adhesive covers every square inch of the support.
At this point, I don’t think heat is a viable removal method. At least not the “recommended” heat of 200ºF – but maybe a low heat assisted by solvents is an option? Again, I need to do some tests and see how little heat is needed to activate (or de-activate, if you will) the Chartex adhesive.
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February 26, 2009 at 8:56 pm |
While working at CCAHA for 10 years I came across a variety of objects lined with Chartex. Maps, documents, etc. I assumed that perhaps the chemical make up of the formula changed over the years. Looking in my notes, I wrote: “Polyisobutylene + wax = cloth. Soluble in hexanes. Petroleum benzine to remove the cloth. Painted solvent (after testing media) on the front of the object to release cloth with crepe eraser remove residue for the back.
January 28, 2010 at 4:35 pm |
We just completed a large batch of magic posters mounted on Chartex and found the most effective method of removal to be a partially wet gelatin facing temporarily mounted to a board – this allows you to effectively pull the cloth and its waxy film completely off.
A link to the entire procedure:
http://www.postermountain.com/form/posters/formatted/2787