|
Author
|
Topic: Beta cloth patches: care and preservation
|
SPACEKID
Member Posts: 59
From: UK
Registered: Oct 2007
|
posted 07-18-2008 12:11 PM
   
Anyone know the best way to remove creases from a Beta cloth patch? |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 07-23-2008 10:15 PM
I have tried it and have had absolutely no success. I had an Apollo 12 beta that wasn't cut square and since I had another I tried a hot steam iron on an ironing board -- I eventually got the cloth pretty wet -- but the crease did not change much at all. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
|
posted 09-29-2008 01:01 PM
I recently acquired a beta cloth Apollo 11 patch that has a large amount - almost a square foot - of extra cloth off to one side of the printed patch. Does it diminish the value of the piece to trim it to a more square shape, or should I retain the entire piece? I would like to frame it but it will be very difficult to do if I retain all the cloth.Editor's note: Threads merged. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
|
posted 09-29-2008 02:13 PM
I'm generally in favour of keeping items intact but in this case beta cloth patches were supposed to be trimmed to a large square around the emblem itself so I say trim off the excess. Don't overdo it though. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
|
posted 09-29-2008 02:22 PM
Yeah, I would need to leave enough extra fabric around it to stretch it out, anyway. There is a bit of a crease.
|
benguttery
Member Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
|
posted 09-29-2008 09:28 PM
I have trimmed several of my beta cloth patches primarily so they fit in my storage sleeves, but also to deal with fraying around edges. Once trimmed and stored they were fine. I had the scraps around for years; they were hard to throw away. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
|
posted 09-30-2008 02:18 AM
You can use the excess material to do a few experiments to try to answer the age-old question - how do you get creases out of beta cloth? |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 11-08-2008 09:26 PM
I used a steam iron on beta cloth once (got the fabric quite wet) but failed to remove a crease. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
|
posted 11-08-2008 11:15 PM
How about removing stains from Beta cloth? There are a few discolorations on one piece I have. I'm reluctant to try any cleaning products for fear of damaging the silk screening. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 11-09-2008 03:45 AM
I remember watching a makeover show in which fabrics were cleaned by wiping them with a damp face cloth that had first been dabbed on a neutral Ph face soap.I tried the technique on an old soviet EVA glove that was pretty grubby, but not heavily stained... and it came up a treat. You might want to try this on some of your off cuts. |
SPACEKID
Member Posts: 59
From: UK
Registered: Oct 2007
|
posted 04-12-2009 09:01 AM
Has anyone had any success in stopping Beta patches from fraying at the edges?
I know that rare damaged books are glued back together using a time tested mixture of flour and water in a paste. Does anyone think this maybe a good idea?Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 04-15-2009 08:41 PM
Steve, I would not advise putting any sort of paste on Beta cloth; storing them in archival-quality transparent pages works well. If you don't handle the edges, they won't fray. If you must handle them, pinking shears will work. |
Gene
Member Posts: 16
From: Troy Mi
Registered: Aug 2009
|
posted 08-15-2009 05:45 PM
What is the best way to frame up beta cloths? I have three finally, so I am seeking advice on how to best preserve them.
|
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted 09-23-2010 04:24 PM
I have an unflown Apollo 16 beta cloth patch signed by Charlie Duke. I want to frame it but am not sure the best way to do it so as not to damage it at all. Is there any possibility of "bleed" if it were to be sandwiched directly underneath plexiglass? (I know that doing so with glass on any paper document is a very bad idea.) For what are hopefully obvious reasons, I don't want to actually mount the cloth to anything - no glue or adhesives - hence the idea to have it sandwiched between acid-free matte board and plexy. If anyone has any experience with mounting one of these and could pass along their advice, that would be great. Thanks in advance! Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 09-25-2010 09:18 PM
Yes there is an easy solution: simply use an acid-free matte with a square or circular opening in front -- the beta panel is thereby not in contact with the plexi. Generally looks better, too! |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 07-03-2013 11:40 PM
I purchased a beta cloth patch a while ago on eBay that was quite inexpensive because - ack - the seller had stepped on it, and there are very clear, dirty sneaker tread marks in an area about 2x6. I'll try the brushing and vacuuming mentioned above, but does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks! |
garyd2831
Member Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
|
posted 07-04-2013 08:58 AM
Could it be placed flat in a slightly soapy bath solution and using a cloth to wipe away the stain/tread mark? I would use a flat plastic type of a container big enough to lay the patch flat down. Using some laundry detergent (small amount) and maybe a little warm mostly cold water, gently wipe across the dirty area. This is just a suggestion. |
JBoe
Member Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
|
posted 07-05-2013 08:23 AM
Getting back to the crease question, have you tried laying a damp cloth over the crease and then ironing on the damp cloth? The beta cloth may be damp after that. |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 07-06-2013 09:20 PM
You're welcome to try the damp cloth approach but I would doubt it would make much difference. On this and the cleaning question, I think it's good to remember, after all, that that Beta cloth was selected as the outer layer for lunar EVA suits, worn in in some very extreme conditions. It's smart to treat it carefully, but in my experience it's pretty durable. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
|
posted 07-28-2013 09:31 AM
I just won an Apollo 12 Beta Cloth Patch (my first beta!) and would like to display it behind a matte that shows the size of the patch on the suit. Does anyone know the dimensions of the patch as it was cut down for the suit? 4x4 or larger? And what type of glass or plastic would preserve the cloth the best in the frame? |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
|
posted 08-01-2013 09:29 AM
My new Apollo 12 patch!  |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 08-01-2013 11:00 AM
Congratulations on your acquisition! I'm no expert but a frame that cuts out UV I would imagine is a must? |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
|
posted 08-01-2013 01:33 PM
I found a 12x12 document frame for now that will keep it flat and clean. It is a start. |
jonspace
Member Posts: 169
From:
Registered: Jan 2014
|
posted 02-16-2014 04:39 PM
I have a small handful of Apollo Beta cloth patches that I'd like to frame and display. I'm pretty new to collecting.What is the general guidelines for caring for Beta patches? Are they sensitive to UV light? Is acid free tape suitable for matting/framing? Will this material corrode or become brittle over time? Editor's note: Threads merged. |
DChudwin
Member Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 11-09-2014 05:46 PM
I have about five Beta cloth patches from Apollo and Skylab missions. The problem is that the outside threads are fraying. What is the best way to store cut Beta cloth so that the swatch does not unravel over the years? I currently have them in hard plastic photo holders. Is there a better way to store them? If I want to have them framed, how should they be attached to the matte board? Adhesives, corner holders and stitches are methods I have used for material other than Beta cloth. Any comments on the care and feeding of Beta cloth patches would be appreciated. Editor's note: Threads merged. |
jonspace
Member Posts: 169
From:
Registered: Jan 2014
|
posted 11-09-2014 05:47 PM
I have a large collection of Beta cloths (including flown, used, and prepped) and this is the best I've come up with after speaking with folks from the Smithsonian, the American Institute for Conservation of Historic Works, and the Washington Conservation Guild. For storage, use a binder with 12"x12" archival grade poly sleeves. The best way to prevent fraying, is to stop handling them. This also keeps them away from UV when you're not enjoying viewing them. For framing, the safest way to do this is to encapsulate them using archival grade polyester (such as melinex). For framing materials use 99% UV filtering glass/acrylic, 100% cotton rag matting AND backing. Call several frame shops and be very cautious. More often than not, they sell "acid free" materials, but then use things like foam core, and only partial UV protection. I've even purchased a flown beta from a dealer that was "archival" framed, and when we took the frame apart, the beta was touching the foam core, the glazing was not UV-protective, and the edges of the beta were taped with acidic adhesive (masking tape!) directly to the foam core backing (which loses its acid-resistance over time, and will overtime become acidic and stain your beta). Here is what the recommended method looks like and the glass. |
DChudwin
Member Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 10-09-2015 01:24 PM
I recently obtained some Beta cloth squares with individual mission patches for some of the Apollo flight. I have not collected Beta cloth items before so I have some questions. What is the best way to store these items? There is some minor fraying at the edges. Can they just be left in a plastic sleeve? What is the best way to frame Beta cloth? Do framers uses a glue to adhere them to matte board, or do they sew the corners? Finally, what is the best pen to autograph Beta cloth? Are very fine black sharpies the way to go? Editor's note: Threads merged. |
rlobinske
Member Posts: 148
From: Crawfordville, FL
Registered: Oct 2014
|
posted 03-03-2017 04:58 PM
I recently purchases a beta cloth ASTP patch that has some tape residue visible. Any recommendations on how to clean, or should I just leave it alone?Editor's note: Threads merged. |
advertisement