World Trade Center I-Beam Preservation
I have been asked to make an honorable artistic memorial for exhibition on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy. For the memorial, a section of the I-beam will be publicly displayed inside an airport, and it may be an open display able to be touched by the public.
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Q. I have a unique question for which I need some advice. It pertains to the proper preservation of an original I-beam from the 9/11 World Trade Center site. I have been asked to make an honorable artistic memorial for exhibition on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy. For the memorial, a section of the I-beam will be publicly displayed inside an airport, and it may be an open display able to be touched by the public. When the I-beam was in storage, it was placed into an oxygen-purged tent for a few years. The TSA recommended we find some way to clean the beam but leave the original finish intact. Who knows what chemicals, debris, toxins and human parts are on the surface? We thought of a liquid cleaner/soap but suspect this will cause more rusting after application. Any recommendations for cleaning, preservation and processing while retaining the original finish? Thanks! B.B.
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