Special project case study; Westminster Abbey, Cloister entrance gate
The Brief
To make good the wear and tear to the lower parts of a gate that is the main rear entrance to the Abbey.
What did we do?
We did a trial clean of the paintwork and gilding to see how much of the gate really needed redecoration. It was decided that the upper parts of the gate, not being much damaged from use, could simply be carefully cleaned. We did need to make good the more extensive damage to the lower parts of the gate, stripping back to the metalwork, rust treating and priming where necessary. We mixed paint colours to match the cleaned upper parts, undercoated, topcoated and gilded inside and out while the gate was in normal use by visitors, staff and residents. The intention being to not make it obvious that anything had been done to the 1995 decoration.
The Client Quote
"Kevin’s suggestions helped us avoid the disturbance and cost of redecorating the whole gate. He managed to achieve an excellent result that satisfied everyone at the Abbey while working around the constant heavy use of this entrance.”
Iain McDonald, Deputy Clerk of the Works, Westminster Abbey