Repainting the telescope

When the telescope arrived at the Museum, analysis revealed that its cast iron pedestal was actively corroding. The conservation team removed the existing paint, which had only recently been applied, treated any rust and applied primer and several coats of paint. Reference to telescopes of comparable age suggested that the pedestal was originally a dark green.

The telescope’s main tube had been stripped back to the underlying brass. Many antique collectors favour this look, but working telescopes are generally painted dark colours to reduce the reflection of ambient light. Remnants of original paintwork from the tube’s interior surface were analysed to precisely identify the paint’s colour and chemical composition. Matched new paint was then applied to return the tube to its ‘original’ finish.