Technical information

Restoration of a galvanized sheet-metal cornice by George L. Mesker & Co. on the First State Bank in Winchester, Illinois.

Technical information from the National Park Service (for additional topics go here):

• Metals in America’s Historic Buildings: Uses and Preservation Treatments. Margot Gayle, David W. Look, AIA, John G. Waite, AIA. 1992.
• Restoring Metal Roof Cornices (Preservation Tech Note, Metals No. 2). Richard Pieper. 1990.
• In-kind Replacement of Historic Stamped-Metal Exterior Siding (Preservation Tech Note, Metals No. 3). Rebecca A. Shiffer. 1991.
• The Maintenance and Repair of Architectural Cast Iron (Preservation Brief 27). John G. Waite, AIA. 1991.
• Historic Decorative Metal Ceilings and Walls: Use, Repair, and Replacement (Preservation Brief 49). Kaaren R. Staveteig. 2017.

Historic preservation technical procedures from the U.S. General Services Administration (for additional procedures go here):

• Galvanized Iron and Steel: Characteristics, Uses and Problems (Procedure Code 0501009S)
• Cast Iron: Characteristics, Uses and Problems (Procedure Code 0501004S)
• Water Washing of Metal With/Without Detergents (Procedure Code 0572501P)
• Removing Dirt Build-Up on Ornamental Metal (Procedure Code 0570002R)
• Cleaning/Removing Paint from Wrought Iron, Cast Iron and Steel Using Mechanical/Abrasive Methods (Procedure Code 0501005R)
• Removing Paint from Wrought Iron, Cast Iron and Steel Using Thermal Methods (Procedure Code 0501016R)
• Stripping Paint from Ornamental Metal (Procedure Code 0570003R)
• Stripping and Repainting Iron and Steel Features (Procedure Code 0501026R)
• Primers and Paints for Wrought Iron, Cast Iron and Steel (Procedure Code 0501013S)
• Primers and Paints for Zinc and Galvanized Iron and Steel (Procedure Code 0501015S)
• Applying a Sacrificial Coating to Wrought Iron, Cast Iron and Steel (Procedure Code 0501018R)
• Procedures for Soldering Sheetmetal (Procedure Code 0501007R)
• Repairing Small Holes, Nicks, and Minor Imperfections in Cast Iron (Procedure Code 0501012R)
• Repairing Fractured Cast Iron Features (Procedure Code 0501013R)
• Repairing Loose Cast Iron Joints (Procedure Code 0572502R)
• Repairing Corrosion Pitting and Cracks in Cast Iron (Procedure Code 0501001R)
• Repairing Damaged or Missing Ornamental Metal (Procedure Code 0570001R)
• Duplicating Cast Iron Ornament (Procedure Code 0501014R)
• Installing a Tin Ceiling and Cornice (Procedure Code 0573002R)

Historic technical information:

• Sheet Metal Cornices. National Association of Sheet Metal Contractors. 1925.
• Standard Practice in Sheet Metal Work, Manual No. 2: Flashings. Sheet Metal Contractor’s National Association, Inc. 1952.
• Tin Roofer’s Handbook. Compiled by the Joint Committee on tin plate for the National Association of Master Sheet Metal Workers of the United States. c. 1907.

Replacement parts:

• W.F. Norman Corporation – still operates machines as old as the company itself. Production methods remain the same since 1898 with panels stamped one at a time on antique rope drop hammers, resulting in better quality control than modern hydraulic presses. Many of the company’s own dies are similar to those offered by the Meskers, while custom dies and stampings are also available.
• Heather & Little Ltd. – sheet-metal restoration company which reproduced sections of the original Mesker Brothers sheet-metal facade and cornice for the Brosnaham Building in Pensacola, FL, after Hurricane Ivan. The dies for these very popular Mesker motifs and designs may still be available for other projects. Contact the company for a quote and reference the Brosnaham Building or this blog.
• Abatron – custom mold-making and casting services in various epoxy materials. The column base for the 6 inch Mesker Brothers Iron Works column is already available in fiberglass and epoxy composite or a reinforced epoxy casting compound. Simply contact Marsha Caporaso at marsha@abatron.com or (800) 445-1754(800) 445-1754 for a quote; the castings are made to order.
• Allen Architectural Metals – the ‘morning glory & sunflower pilaster’ is an exact replica of one of the most popular cast iron storefront column designs offered by George L. Mesker & Co.
• B-W Consultants, Inc. – limited quantity of 6 inch mid-column ornamentation for Mesker Brothers Iron Works storefront columns, reproduced in cast aluminum. Contact Darius Bryjka for more information at bryjka@hotmail.com

 

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