If you are leaving the country for a year abroad and have decided to put your artwork collection in a self-storage unit while you are gone, then it is important that you take steps to proactively prevent any damage. For example, you need to rent a climate-controlled unit to protect your art against temperature fluctuations, and then package each piece in the best way possible. To this end, here are some time-tested tips about how to safely store valuable artwork in a self storage unit.
Tip: Don't Ever Wrap Art Pieces in Plastic Wrap
When you are packing your art pieces for storage, you should never wrap paintings or other pieces in plastic wrap. Wrapping pieces in plastic wrap will seal in humidity and moisture that will lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Instead of using plastic, wrap your artwork in acid-free paper. For breakable items that you would be inclined to wrap in plastic bubble wrap, instead use acid-free packing peanuts or sawdust.
Tip: Always Store Paintings and Framed Artwork Standing Up or Hanging Up
Just as you should never store books or vinyl records laying down and stacked on top of each other, the same is true for paintings and other framed art pieces. Instead, you should always store framed pieces either standing up and separated by acid-free packing materials or hung up. If you only have a few paintings, you can hang them on the walls of your storage unit. If you have too many paintings for the wall space, you can stand the paintings up together in a large crate or wooden rack.
Tip: Clean and Polish Wood Items to Prevent Damage from Cracking
If you have art that is made of wood, then it is important that you take steps to prevent it from cracking while in storage. In addition to storing these pieces in a climate-controlled unit, you should also proactively prepare them by dusting them well and then applying a layer of paste wax. The wax will hold in the moisture of the natural wood and keep your art from cracking in storage.
Tip: Keep an Inventory of Your Artwork Offsite
Finally, before storing your artwork, make an inventory list that includes information about each piece along with a photograph. Keep your art inventory sheet in a safe place while you travel and do not store it with your art. You will need this list in case there is a problem with your storage unit due to crime or an extreme weather event.
Share25 May 2017
After I realized that my finances had hit an all-time low, I started looking into my accounts. I realized that one of my biggest bills was my monthly storage unit since I was renting a large unit. To save some money, I decided to talk with a storage unit manager to see what I could do. They were able to give me some great tips, and I was able to transfer to a smaller unit. This blog is all about lowering your storage unit bill so that you can get a handle on your finances. With a little research, you can free up some of your cash flow.