u/springchikun

I don't know why but I think it's beautiful.

The base of this zinc monument was clearly used as something else before it was used to hold this monument. The right side has the signs of something being affixed to it and there's clearly writing on the front side. Anyone recognize what it might be? I keep getting told that it looks like Catholic symbolism.

These were scrubbed monthly with water and D2 for the first 3 months, then every other month up until the winter. They've been treated twice this year and this is the most recent result.

This has been treated with D2 multiple times, as well as an oxalic acid solution to remove rust/iron. Neither of those things worked. It has been scrubbed repeatedly and this orange stain still remains. I am afraid that this might be damage from someone using bleach or vinegar. This is in NW Oregon.

Restoration of a Statue at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in St. Paul, Oregon

A small before-and-after from a restoration project I've been working on at historic St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in St. Paul, Oregon. The parish was established in 1839, and the brick church that stands today was completed in 1846 using bricks made on-site, making it the oldest brick building in Oregon. It's been a privilege to help preserve a small piece of Oregon history. I'm very pleased with the progress so far.

For those wondering about the process, this work has been done entirely by hand using soft-bristle brushes, approximately 20 gallons of water, D/2 Biological Solution, and bamboo skewers for the most delicate areas. The goal is not to make the stone look new, but to safely remove biological growth, dirt, and staining while preserving the historic surface and preventing damage. Restoration like this is often a slow process measured in patience rather than power tools, but the results are well worth the effort.

If you're thinking about cleaning a historic monument yourself, the only cleaner I recommend is D/2 Biological Solution. Not bleach, not vinegar, not Wet & Forget, and certainly not wire brushes or other metal tools. D/2's chemical formulation was specifically developed for removing biological growth from historic masonry and stone, and it has been tested more extensively and over a longer period of time than any competing product I'm aware of. Preservation professionals have used it for decades because it is effective without relying on the harsh acids, salts, or oxidizers found in many other cleaners. When you're working on a monument that may be 100, 150, or 200 years old, proven long-term safety matters more than quick results.

If what you're doing cannot be undone, don't do it.

**I am trained to preserve and restore stone. Please do not attempt this without training or guidance from someone who knows what they are doing. This is not as simple as it seems, and it is very easy to permanently damage the stones. If you would like to find out how to participate or learn, contact your local historical society and ask them about programs and groups where you can learn.**

I started this last year, worked on it at least weekly for a couple months, then monthly for a couple months, then I left it alone while the weather was cold and started with weekly treatments about 2 months ago.

Lulu is finally done.

She was cleaned with water and D/2.

Hubbard, Oregon.

It's time to replace it.

I see these two (and sometimes a couple babies) just about every other time I visit the cemetery.