Re: Build Sheet
Dan
I can't remember if I posted that information on here or in The Restorer. I recall a story by someone else in The Restorer. Let me see if I can do a thumbnail.
There is a wide variety of archival things one can do to preserve important documents. They range from hiring a document conservator at the high end, to some simple DIY methods at the low end. Before you start you should be sure your document is original to your car. Use this service:
To start: Google is your friend:
Be careful in removing dust and dirt. It is very easy to remove the printed portion of the image with abrasion. Start with low pressure air first. Just like restoration on our cars, start with the softest least damaging process first. The printing on the original is produced by carbon paper, so it is not the same as the laser printed or ink jet material we are more used to. The paper used on the original is not top quality either. It was not intended to last 50 years. All paper is made using acids and will eventually deteriorate. All we can do is delay that deterioration. Acid free paper has those chemicals neutralized.
Storage is best done using acid free boxes, selves and/or paper. Store in cool, low humidity and dark location. Resist the temptation to store in the basement or attic. If you rent a safe deposit box for other important papers, it is a good place to store your original build sheet. Google acid-free paper for sources of storage materials. Take a high-resolution digital picture, or a photo-copy and use acid-free paper to print/display the image. If you decide to photo-copy the original, do it once or twice. The light used in repeated photo-copying can damage the original.
If you decide to hunt down a paper conservator, be aware paper conservation is a long and very expensive process. If you have a Corvette of some historical import or unusual build, preserving original documentation might be worth the expense. You will have to decide. Paper conservators may bring out parts of the printing that is not visible at first, so that might be anther reason to seek this service. Finding a paper conservator in your area will again be aided by the Internet. Here is one such origination:
Be cautious in shipping important papers. Hand delivery is best. Photo-copy before letting your build sheet out of your site. No delivery company will think this paper is as important as you think it is.
That is just a thumb nail. There are people who are as passionate about paper conservation as we are about Corvettes. There is no way I know enough about it to do an in-depth story, so seek out some of those sources commensurate with your pocketbook. As I recall the Restorer story I mentioned in the beginning it was about the use of a paper conservator at an educational institution. Your local historical society (if there is one), library, or college/university might be another source of more information or referrals to those more educated in this area than I am.
Remember we are only briefly custodians of these cars and their documentation. We have an obligation to those who came before us and those who will come after us to do the best job we can to preserve them.
Dan
I can't remember if I posted that information on here or in The Restorer. I recall a story by someone else in The Restorer. Let me see if I can do a thumbnail.
There is a wide variety of archival things one can do to preserve important documents. They range from hiring a document conservator at the high end, to some simple DIY methods at the low end. Before you start you should be sure your document is original to your car. Use this service:
To start: Google is your friend:
Be careful in removing dust and dirt. It is very easy to remove the printed portion of the image with abrasion. Start with low pressure air first. Just like restoration on our cars, start with the softest least damaging process first. The printing on the original is produced by carbon paper, so it is not the same as the laser printed or ink jet material we are more used to. The paper used on the original is not top quality either. It was not intended to last 50 years. All paper is made using acids and will eventually deteriorate. All we can do is delay that deterioration. Acid free paper has those chemicals neutralized.
Storage is best done using acid free boxes, selves and/or paper. Store in cool, low humidity and dark location. Resist the temptation to store in the basement or attic. If you rent a safe deposit box for other important papers, it is a good place to store your original build sheet. Google acid-free paper for sources of storage materials. Take a high-resolution digital picture, or a photo-copy and use acid-free paper to print/display the image. If you decide to photo-copy the original, do it once or twice. The light used in repeated photo-copying can damage the original.
If you decide to hunt down a paper conservator, be aware paper conservation is a long and very expensive process. If you have a Corvette of some historical import or unusual build, preserving original documentation might be worth the expense. You will have to decide. Paper conservators may bring out parts of the printing that is not visible at first, so that might be anther reason to seek this service. Finding a paper conservator in your area will again be aided by the Internet. Here is one such origination:
Be cautious in shipping important papers. Hand delivery is best. Photo-copy before letting your build sheet out of your site. No delivery company will think this paper is as important as you think it is.
That is just a thumb nail. There are people who are as passionate about paper conservation as we are about Corvettes. There is no way I know enough about it to do an in-depth story, so seek out some of those sources commensurate with your pocketbook. As I recall the Restorer story I mentioned in the beginning it was about the use of a paper conservator at an educational institution. Your local historical society (if there is one), library, or college/university might be another source of more information or referrals to those more educated in this area than I am.
Remember we are only briefly custodians of these cars and their documentation. We have an obligation to those who came before us and those who will come after us to do the best job we can to preserve them.
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