Location: indoor or outdoor Orientation: North, East, South.
Both are important due to traffic, pollutants and light exposure. Location and orientation will have an impact on the mural and make it more or less vulnerable to decay.
Indoors murals:
We can protected better indoor mural by creating a control climate interment but be careful in termos of the location. Mold can easily grow on areas where the area is not flowing and the humidity is high. Also the proximity to a kitchen can be a problem due to high temperatures and soot.
Murals could be very vulnerable to abrasions on corridors. There are also structural issues to consider related to the building structures such as cracks or the breakage of mortar. Remember the mural is an integral part of the architecture so it moves and settles with the building.
Outdoor murals:
Are more exposed to weathering. Sunlight produces fading so it is important to select a surface that is not so exposed to the sun or that are protected by architectural hangers.
Paints used need to be of high quality as well and pigments lightfastness. A clear coating protection with UV filter maybe recommendable.
Graffiti is one of the name concerns so applying an sacrificial anti-graffiti coating may be appropriate to improve protection. Remember that anti-graffiti coatings need to be maintain.
Most important
The mural by Jean Charlot is at the Lee College Theatre (entrance hall) in Pearl City, Hawaii.
The theatre attendees rest there elbows and place their drinks on top of the ledge damaging the mural overtime. Detail of scratches and paint losses.
Outdoor murals:
Are more exposed to weathering. Sunlight produces fading so it is important to select a surface that is not so exposed to the sun or that are protected by architectural hangers.
Paints used need to be of high quality as well and pigments lightfastness. A clear coating protection with UV filter maybe recommendable.
Graffiti is one of the name concerns so applying an sacrificial anti-graffiti coating may be appropriate to improve protection. Remember that anti-graffiti coatings need to be maintain.
Most important
• Prepare the wall prior to painting the mural (cleaning, removal of loose materials and priming)
• Consider alternative substrates or support (that may improve longevity)
• Make sure materials are compatible. Substrate is compatible with paint layer. Pigments are light-fastness.
•A conservator can assess the wall and approved materials
• Apply protection
Have a maintenance plan in place
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| "Whale of a Mural" is located on an under pass in the City of Santa Monica, CA |
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| Detail the painting showing the paint detaching due to salt efflorescence coming through the concrete walls |
