From: Richard Kahn

From: Richard Kahn To: "Jeffrey E." <[email protected]> Subject: Fwd: Library Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:42:19 +0000 long winded and thorough will forward photos when received this afternoon thanks Richard Kahn HBRK Associates Inc. 575 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor New York. 10022 tel fa cel Begin forwarded message: Date: April 22, 2015 at 9:22:49AM EDT Subject: Re: Library From: Brandon Thom son To: Richard Kahn < We are in the process of deciding the best way to go, so I am doing a lot of trials. I am also using different techniques so the materials I am using dry much longer. I will send you some samplings this afternoon. Once the techniques are set in motion, the work progresses in a prompt manner. I recommend, not to use wax finish any more. If Mr. Epstein likes this kind of finish, I will imitate this finish, but the wood HAS TO BE SEALED, in order not to be susceptible to fungi and molds. The wax finish does not prevent the molds and moisture to penetrate the wood. I will stay in touch with you from now on, and you will receive updates daily. There is a lot of other implications coming with the way it turned out. One of them is color. The color of the floor meeting the woodwork. What I like to suggest is that I will finish one side, the large wall on the East side and let Mr. Epstein look at it, and if he will like it, I will go ahead and finish the rest of the Library. May be this is safest way to go for now. Every time you start the project, the beginning is most difficult. Remember the Library in NY. Because of the problems, I had to change the way was finished. Many times the methods will change, because I am not only finisher but also conservator specializing in wooden objects. I always choose what is the best not only to finish but also to last. If I only cared to earn money, I would not bring these problems to light. It is not profitable. You also have to trust me, that I want the very best for my client. Brandon On Tue, Apr 21, 2015 at 11:05 PM, Richard Kahn < Thank you for update. Please send photo of piece that Is finished. > wrote: EFTA00858769 Thank you. Richard Kahn HBRK Associates Inc. 575 Lexington Avenue, 4th Floor New York. NY 10022 Tel Fax Cell > On Apr 21, 2015, at 9:04 PM, Brandon Thompson < wrote: > Dear Mr. Kahn, > Time to update you with the progress on the restoration of the Library. > Believe it or not, the beginning of this restoration is like a detective story. > We have a lot of dark-purple sections, still did not dawn on me that the worst will be the true. During the work today, as we dis-attached the doors from the lower cabinets, we found molds in some places. What happen, the moisture causes the condensation and than sets on the objects. In one place was so severe, that I thought it was a flooding or leak from the roof. I HAVE TO GO WITH ALTERNATIVE RESTORATION. I am presuming Mr. Epstein loves the liming wax finish, but this kind of finish does not adequately protects the wood from damage. Needless to say, oak wood have largest expansion and contraction rate from all the woods. This causes the wood-grain to absorb the moisture and with time create spots. Oak contains iron, which in turn will create on the surface dark spots. Right now, we have thousands tiny dark spots, which can be eliminated. The darkening of the wood can be confirmed by all the peoples witnessing to it. > I am coming with the solution to this problem. I will strip and wash all the wood.. I will emphasize the grain of the wood but than I will seal it may be even two times and finish with varnish (satin) finish. Once this is sealed and finished, I will rub the surfaces with the steel wool and apply the wax finish. I could apply liming-wax finish as well. > Tomorrow, I will take a hair dryer and will kill the molds. This is the type of the mold, that sucks moisture from environment and uses it for its own purpose. > Also, I will recommend to use Silica Gel. There is a Silica Gel that changes the color once is saturated with water. You can process Silica Gel by baking it in the oven in 185 degrees of F and reuse it as many times as you want. > This would solve some of the moisture problem in the Library. > I was thinking that I may finish one wall for Mr. Epstein, for him to see and if he approves it, I will finish the rest of the Library in the same way. > Please give me some feed back on the subject. > Thank you. > Brandon Thompson > PS there is a way I could finish the Library by covering most of the problems and make easy money. I would not feel well doing this. I know the way I want to go is more difficult but at the same time, better service and lasting restoration. > Change in the method of restoration caused me to buy different materials. > If this could happen in NY you would not even know, as I have most of these materials in stock. Unfortunately, this is different, I am away from my "perch". EFTA00858770