Conservation Services

At ACT Art Conservation, we provide thoughtful, ethical, and meticulously executed conservation treatments for artwork of all mediums. Every project begins with a careful assessment of the condition, materials, and history of the object, followed by a customized treatment plan that prioritizes the long-term stability, aesthetics, and integrity of the work.

Our practice merges traditional craftsmanship with modern conservation science, maintaining full adherence to professional ethical guidelines such as minimal intervention, reversibility when possible, and complete transparency in treatment documentation.

Every conservation treatment begins with a detailed evaluation that includes:

• A thorough examination of the artwork’s structure, materials, and condition
• Identification of active deterioration, prior restorations, or environmental concerns
• Photography and written documentation
• A formal treatment proposal outlining recommended approaches, goals, and estimated timeframes

This process ensures clarity and alignment before treatment begins and provides an essential professional record for future care.

Add on services such as UV, XRF, IRR, microscopy and other imaging services and technical assessments are available under or Photography & Analysis page 

Our studio offers full conservation treatment for paintings on canvas, panel, board, or mixed supports, including:

• Surface cleaning and removal of grime, soot, or aged coatings
• Varnish reduction or removal
• Consolidation of fragile, flaking, or unstable paint
• Structural stabilization of canvas or panel supports
• Filling of losses and custom inpainting using reversible, lightfast conservation materials
• Application of protective varnish layers
• Treatment of distortions, cupping, planar deformations, and tears (with relining or localized repair as appropriate)
• Restretching 
• Heat table flattening and consolidation 

More services available 

For drawings, prints, watercolors, photographs, and archival materials, we offer:

• Cleaning and reduction of surface dirt, stains, acid and discoloration
• Aqueous baths and washing - suction table washing
• Solaring
• Delamination of secondary supports/backing removals
• Hinding and framing support
• Dry cleaning
• Mold and Mildew reduction and removal
• Humidification and flattening
• Backing and tape, adhesive removal
• Tear mending and infill using Japanese tissues and reversible adhesives
• Support and edge stabilization
• Conservation washing when appropriate
• Digitizing

All treatments follow museum-standard protocols for handling light-sensitive and moisture-sensitive media.

We treat a wide range of three-dimensional artworks and decorative objects, including metals, ceramics, wood, stone, plaster, and mixed media works. Treatments may involve:

• Cleaning, stabilization, and surface recovery
• Structural repairs and adhesions
• Loss compensation and inpainting where appropriate
• Corrosion mitigation for metal objects
• Protective coatings and long-term stabilization strategies
• Glass and mosaic reconstruction
• Stone and masonry reconstruction and cleaning 

We approach each object with an understanding of material behavior, artist intent, and long-term preservation needs.

Our book and archival conservation services include:

• Stabilization of bindings, spines, and sewing structures
• Washing and deacidifying
• Reconstruction and paper conservation
• Cleaning, mending, and leaf repair
• Removal of damaging tapes, adhesives, or non-original materials
• Conservation housing and custom enclosures
• Treatments designed to preserve both functional and historical integrity
• Binding 
• Enclosures 

We conserve and restore historic frames, gilded surfaces, wooden supports, and decorative finishes, offering:

• Structural repairs and reinforcement
• Gilding restoration and toning
• Reconstruction of missing decorative elements
• Surface cleaning and stabilization

Frames are treated with the same level of care and professionalism as the artworks they protect.

We conserve and restore historic frames, gilded surfaces, wooden supports, and decorative finishes, offering:

• Structural repairs and reinforcement
• Gilding restoration and toning
• Reconstruction of missing decorative elements
• Surface cleaning and stabilization

Frames are treated with the same level of care and professionalism as the artworks they protect.