Clearshield exhibits at Rotunda museum
Ritec’s ClearShield glass surface protection is ensuring an open-air glasswork at the entrance of Scarborough’s recently refurbished Rotunda Museum stays looking like new for longer, with minimal maintenance. Creative Glass, who designed and produced the sculpture, applied Ritec’s advanced surface finish to protect the glass from the damaging effects of the coastal location and other contaminants such as seagull droppings.
Standing three metres high, the imposing glass structure in front of the Museum adds a contemporary aspect to the landmark 19th century building. The glasswork consists of two overlapping panels of 19mm toughened glass, decorated with an etched-glass effect paint. The steel supports and concrete base are installed below ground, so the glass panels appear to be rising out of the ground. At night, blue LED lights installed around the base illuminate the structure, creating a stunning visual effect.
Creative Glass is a leading specialist in architectural and decorative glass and its design and production premises in Stockton-on-Tees boast the latest computer design and production technologies, including a ClearShield spray booth. ClearShield Glass Protect was applied over the entire glasswork for the Rotunda Museum before installation.
Working like ‘non-stick’ cookware, ClearShield chemically bonds to the surface providing a durable and transparent barrier, which is chemically inert, non-hazardous, UV stable and will not peel, crack or flake. Treated glass resists adhesion of both organic and inorganic contaminants before, during and after installation. It also protects glass against surface corrosion caused mainly by moisture and alkalinity.
ClearShield has been specified to protect many of the major glass artworks produced by Creative Glass. The company’s MD, Tony Campbell, comments, “With ClearShield surface protection, the Museum’s sculpture will retain its good looks and be less costly and time-consuming to clean without the need for harsh chemicals.”
Ritec’s ClearShield is part of a fully integrated system for the renovation, protection and maintenance of all kinds of exterior and interior glass, including sandblasted, architectural glazing, residential windows, conservatory roofs and marine glass. It can be spray-applied onto new glass in the factory before installation using either manual, semi or fully automatic spraying equipment, or manually for existing glass on-site. For more information visit www.ritec.co.uk.
