Preserving a head stone.
Discussion
Odd one this I know, but I need to preserve my parents head stone, its only a small one from a cremated plot say one and a half foot square, but my dad carved the original bit and has now had his name added and I am concerned its wasting away.
I did take it up a couple of years back and put maybe ten coats of water sealing paving slab preserver on it but would ultimately like to have it dipped or coated. Really would like it set in to a large block of clear acrylic if thats possible.
Any ideas?
I did take it up a couple of years back and put maybe ten coats of water sealing paving slab preserver on it but would ultimately like to have it dipped or coated. Really would like it set in to a large block of clear acrylic if thats possible.
Any ideas?
humpbackmaniac said:
Really would like it set in to a large block of clear acrylic if thats possible.
You'd have to be certain the acrylic would offer decent durability because it probably wouldn't be easy to remove it again if it began to go opaque, etc. It might look a bit strange too.Perhaps you might be able to get a mould made from the original and have a replica cast in something more long-lasting. True, it wouldn't be your dad's handiwork in the strictest sense, but the stone he carved would be the starting point.
Wouldn't you say there's an argument for letting it weather and erode naturally? Unless the stone used is particularly susceptible to the elements, I'm sure it will outlast you and remain perfectly legible for many years to come.
Personally, I think they look nicer as they gain a bit of character with age.
Edited by Risotto on Monday 6th September 14:37
Unfortunately OP and Petemate, there isn't a lot you can do to stop stones from eroding due to weathering, it's what they do.
What type of stone are they from?
Sorry I forgot to add, what you are doing is probably the best for it.
We coated the exterior walls of our house with watered down waterproof glue, just sprayed it on and it seems to have worked but it's not been tested over time.
What type of stone are they from?
Sorry I forgot to add, what you are doing is probably the best for it.
We coated the exterior walls of our house with watered down waterproof glue, just sprayed it on and it seems to have worked but it's not been tested over time.
Edited by WorAl on Monday 6th September 15:03
If you're going to try, I think it was PVA Glue of some sort, water it down so it can be sprayed from one of those pump up weed killer sprayer things and give it a good few coatings, with it being watered down it absorbs into the stone so has quite a deep protection.. The house we done it to has been up for about 15 years now and the stone works is still as good as new.
If you want, I'll find out what it was we used?
If you want, I'll find out what it was we used?
This is meant for concrete, but I'd give these guys a call and see if they can suggest anything:
http://bridgeguard.co.uk/
http://bridgeguard.co.uk/
You probably need somethingh UV stable as the standard brick and stone sealant isn't and washes away. I had my house coated in a UV stable fluid which was absorbed and dried within a day or so and now just looks like the stone but has stopped the weather erosion problem in its tracks.
My grans headstone went very green and we have used brick cleaner to get rid of the green mould after bleach failed but even that didnt get it all off or stop it returning.
My grans headstone went very green and we have used brick cleaner to get rid of the green mould after bleach failed but even that didnt get it all off or stop it returning.
could you not clean the stone and perhaps paint it with a masonary paint? not sure what the original colour of the headstone is buy many masonary paints come in a variety of colours, sandstone, grey, black, white etc? a couple of coats of that and i would expect it would last a long time. i suppose it depends on the type of stone, obviously wouldnt be a lot of good if it is granite or similar.
Monumental Mason would be able to give advice.
My Mother and I recently had my late Father's grave and monument completely renovated and the 60 year old marble came up like new.
A possible idea is to get a signmaking firm to construct a glued together clear acrylic plastic "cover", designed to be reasonably secure and sealed but could be replaced when necessary.
My Mother and I recently had my late Father's grave and monument completely renovated and the 60 year old marble came up like new.
A possible idea is to get a signmaking firm to construct a glued together clear acrylic plastic "cover", designed to be reasonably secure and sealed but could be replaced when necessary.
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