After an initial diagnostic phase done using the IBIX Mobile Lab, the restoration of The Victoria Lines in Malta began with the use of dry HELIX® with extra fine calcium carbonate.
The material, composed mainly of marble and limestone, is fully compatible with porous stones and thus can gently and effectively clean even delicate materials such as Maltese stone. The blasting machines were properly adjusted based on the data collected from previous tests. As such, the operating pressure and the amount of material emitted was properly regulated according to the characteristics of the area to be treated. The cleaning was uniform and chromatically the same as the original material. The historic patina, where preserved, especially in areas less exposed to the elements, was perfectly preserved and even enhanced by the elimination of unwanted chemical and biological deposits.