02 Bust of Apollo Belvedere

This marble bust was in need of surface cleaning. Minor surface abrasions at the lower front part of the bust and at the back also needed attention.

A laser cleaning system Nd:YAG 1064 nm was chosen as the best method to remove stubborn dirt from the surface. After most of the dirt was removed, the whole object was swabbed with damp cotton wool. The combination of these two methods produced a clean, even finish. The object was then given a protective wax coating. The shallow abrasion in the marble were filled with wax to prevent dirt from accumulating in these areas. It also helped them to blend in.