RootsChat.Com

Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Katrina Tricker on Thursday 13 January 22 11:55 GMT (UK)

Title: Marble and lead headstone cleaning
Post by: Katrina Tricker on Thursday 13 January 22 11:55 GMT (UK)
What's the best way to clean a 45 year old head stone made of marble with lead letters .
I don't want to damage it just clean it up brighter
Title: Re: Marble and lead headstone cleaning
Post by: Pheno on Thursday 13 January 22 12:49 GMT (UK)
Don't know the answer, but lots of cemeteries/graveyards have rules and regulations about cleaning headstones and in some it is not allowed so you probably need to check that first.

Pheno
Title: Re: Marble and lead headstone cleaning
Post by: roopat on Thursday 13 January 22 13:53 GMT (UK)
Be careful with the lead letters, quite a few on my father's stone (50 years old) have fallen off over the years.


Pat
Title: Re: Marble and lead headstone cleaning
Post by: Guy Etchells on Thursday 13 January 22 14:03 GMT (UK)
What's the best way to clean a 45 year old head stone made of marble with lead letters .
I don't want to damage it just clean it up brighter

Never clean any headstone in the UK in winter, most absorb water and the cleaning could allow the water to be absorbed and freeze taking the face of the stone with it as the ice expands.
If you really have to clean a headstone in summer use clean water and a soft cloth, nothing else.

Avoid catching the lead letters with the cloth they are held in place with tiny pins on their back and can be damaged or pulled out and twisted very easily.
Cheers
Guy