Wishab Sponge

PEL is the UK appointed distributor for Wishab. This dry cleaning system has proven its reliability for over 20 years by conservators who use Wishab for a number of specific cleaning problems. Wishab is available as a drey sponge in powder form and as a spray powder. The usage depends on the type and sensitivity of the artwork being cleaned.

Wishab Sponge is used to carry out convenient and safe dry cleaning of surfaces on paper, walls, ceilings, pictures, frescos, mural paintings, wallpaper, tapestries, textiles and other surfaces. The sponge consists of a blue handle with the yellow cleaning layer moulded into it, this layer restores itself constantly due to the crumb formation process. The soft sponge is used for sensitive surfaces, the hard sponge for less sensitive base surfaces and the extra hard sponge for non-sensitive surfaces such as stone. The surfaces to be cleaned must be absolutely dry.

Wishab Powder has been specially developed for dry cleaning of paper documents, it can also be used on other items. Simply spread the powder over the surface of the object to be cleaned. Rub the powder over the surface by hand using cotton wool or wearing our cotton gloves. For tougher applications the powder can be used with soft felt disks on rotating tools. Caution must prevail with any cleaning method and we advise this is done by a professional conservator. Wishab soft powder is used for sensitive surfaces such as paper and textiles, the hard powder for less sensitive surfaces such as sturdy heavy papers, wood etc. The surfaces to be cleaned must be absolutely dry and not powdery.

Wishab Spray Powder is a special development for dry cleaning using the spraying method. The spray powder method is used to penetrate in depressions and hollow spaces where access is difficult, such as masonry (sandstone), sculptures or objects that have extremely rough surfaces. When using the spray method, the correct adjustment of air pressure is very important, however the air pressure is easy to determine by conducting trials. Recovery of the sprayed-on material is possible since the powder can be used several times (10 times or more) Wishab spray powder is coarse, (particle size approximately 0.5-1.5mm) the sprayer piping and nozzle must have large diameters. Nozzle size 5-10mm diameter air volume of 1000 litres/minutes, working pressure of 5-10 bar with a distance of about 0.5-1 metre.