How do you use aluminum foil to make a gravestone legible?

Question: How do you use aluminum foil to make a gravestone legible!?

I have tried it and it seems to make it worse!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I've had a little bit of succcess with foil!. Not reynolds wrap, but foil art foil!. Reynolds wrap stuff is too thick!. You can buy the cheap, dollar store brand!.!.it works okay because its really thin!. You need to rub all the dirt, debris, etc off the stone!.!.!.a whisk broom works really well!. Then, cut the sheet to wrap over the top and go all the way to ground level!. Using a paint brush!.!.!.I have a 1/4 inch soft bristle one!.!.!.you smooth the foil over the stone!. When you begin to see where indentations are, concentrate on them using the paintbrush to poke the foil into the indentations!.

Its a real pain, a long, slow process!. If you go quickly, either the foil crushed/ridges and you can't get a reading!. I found, really, its better to do a rubbing using thin paper and charcoal!. Sometimes all thats left it a dent, and using the letters around it and its basic shape you can extrapoltate the word!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you can, brush off all the dirt and growth, but be careful - some stones begin to disintegrate with weather and age!. On inside grave-stones I have used a special type of wax crayon (not a pencil) on a soft white paper and done a rubbing!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I use like brown wrapping paper that works better than aluminum foil!.!. then use the side of a pencil and rub across until the words show through!. It won't be perfect but it should be legible!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Powdered white chalk dusted over the inscription will sometimes make it legible!.Www@QuestionHome@Com