On August 10, 1998, a 20-ton section of the Titanic's hull, known as the "Big Piece," was raised, and while it was conserved, it was not repainted.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
The "Big Piece" and its conservation:
The "Big Piece" is a significant section of the Titanic's hull, raised in 1998.
Conservation Process:
The artifact was conserved by LP3 Conservation from France and EverGreene Architectural Arts.
Cleaning and Preservation:
The conservation process involved removing loose corrosion and rusticles using a 3,000-psi water jet, drying with propane torches, and hand-picking debris.
Rust Neutralization:
To neutralize the rust, conservationists applied a 5% tannic acid solution and hot waxed the piece.
Bronze Elements:
The bronze elements, such as the windows, were left with their original paint residue intact.
No Repainting:
The conservation efforts focused on stabilizing the artifact without compromising its desirable patina, and therefore, the "Big Piece" was not repainted.