Digital BW, The Print

Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge relating to the issue of
deacidifying paper?

There appears to be a large body of information relating to mass
deacidifying the huge body of old documents that are now self-destructing
due to the acid content of the paper used.  A related issue is deacidifying
individual papers, posters, etc.  The goal, of course, is to extend the life
of these papers.  Numbers like 300 - 500 years are tossed around.  It
appears to be a big deal with some lofty claims.

The process is to impregnate an acidic paper with acid-neutralizing
chemicals and buffering.

Two companies have sprays that are said to be ideal for individual posters,
etc.  These two products are called "Wei T'o" (the name of a Chinese god who
protects books) and Bookkeeper.  The Wei T'o website has substantial
information on it.  See http://weito.com/intro.htm

A several year old test on a Stanford cite draws into question the
effectiveness of the Bookkeeper spray product, while indirectly indicating
to me that the overall approach does have merit.

The obvious concept:  why not just spray the back of EAM with a Wei T'o
spray to deacidify the paper while not touching the surface (where buffering
might reduce the lightfastness of the pigments).

If we can't find a better-looking paper, maybe we can make the paper better.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com