Category: treatment

condition, Conservation, Fundraising campaign, treatment

Crankshaft – the story so far

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by Vicki Humphrey on 20 April, 2014

In the beginning was a cylinder of solid steel, soon to be a crankshaft

On the 7-8th April, Ainslie Greiner and Ian Stewart travelled to Melbourne to visit Crankshaft Rebuilders. They took the original block from the Royal Daimler with them. The idea was to get the block line-bored and the new crankshaft test fitted to the block – this allows for finalised fitting to the bearings. This also provided Ian with the necessary information to manufacture a new rear main oil seal carrier on his return to the Museum.

Continue reading “Crankshaft – the story so far” →
condition, Conservation, Fundraising campaign, treatment

Interview with the conservators

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by Catrina Vignando on 28 March, 2014

The Royal Daimler Project is speeding along and we are getting close to our fundraising finishing line.

We have developed a video documenting some of the work we have been doing with the support we have received from members of the public. This video includes interviews with the National Museums’ automotive engineers and conservators and gives a sense of the work involved in bringing the Royal Daimler back to its former glory. Continue reading “Interview with the conservators” →

condition, Conservation, History, treatment

What is it?..and why does it affect our treatment approach?

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by Vicki Humphrey on 22 January, 2014

This strange looking object is just one part of the Daimler that represents the balance of pure conservation and minor restoration that will be characteristic of the work we are doing. In many discussions with visitors and on our blog we have mentioned our desire to stick – as far as possible – to a conservation approach. That is, retain and reuse as much of the original as possible. However, we always knew that there would be parts that would have to have extra work along with some that need to be replaced – the crankshaft is a fine example of the latter.

Continue reading “What is it?..and why does it affect our treatment approach?” →
condition, Conservation, treatment

Chassis work

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by Vicki Humphrey on 3 October, 2013

Ian Stewart spray painting the Royal Daimler chassis decked out in his PPE

The Daimler chassis that has been a major presence in the Large Technology lab over the past few months has been moved to another Museum site for painting now that it has been repaired. The painting will be done on the forecourt of one of the stores inside a specially constructed tent, with the team decked out in their personal protective equipment (PPE). Our investigations and helpful information from UK and Australia established that the chassis would have been gloss black; and so it will be once more. Continue reading “Chassis work” →

condition, Conservation, treatment

Paint and Project Planning

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by Vicki Humphrey on 5 August, 2013

After the excitement of the RACA dinner we are now back into practicalities.

Vicki Humphrey is working with the National Museum’s three conservation labs to coordinate the work on the different components of the vehicle. While the bulk of the work will be carried out by the Large Technology team, there is no denying that there are challenges and considerable work ahead for the Textiles team, who will be treating the upholstery and the textile fittings.

Continue reading “Paint and Project Planning” →
Conservation, treatment

Here is a challenge for you: Conservation not restoration

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by Monica Lindemann on 2 April, 2013

One-150x150When conservators are treating objects, including large technology objects, they aim to preserve as much of the original as possible. This is different from the approach of restoration, which might replace original materials, for instance paint surfaces, and would aim to make the object look brand new. In the past, this has been the approach of car restorers.

QUESTIONS: Continue reading “Here is a challenge for you: Conservation not restoration” →

condition, Conservation, Fundraising campaign, treatment

Royal Daimler returns to Mitchell

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by Heidi Bock on 7 March, 2013

Arrival of the Daimler (2009.0017.0001) to Acton for Museum Workshop exhibition

Our large technology conservation team, led by Ainslie Greiner, is delighted with the positive visitor response to the Museum Workshop: the art, science and craft of the conservator exhibition. Continue reading “Royal Daimler returns to Mitchell” →