Study and Restoration of the Yi Ma Wu Hui Layer of the Ancient Coating on the Putuo Zongcheng Temple

The Putuo Zongcheng Temple was built over two hundred years ago. The ancient coating on its wooden structures has been seriously damaged and needs restoration. To restore the original structure, the YMWH (Yi Ma Wu Hui) layer of the ancient coating in the Putuo Zongcheng Temple is separated and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At the same time, the components of the YMWH layer are compared with the commercial materials used for restoration. The analysis and comparison indicate that nonblood YMWH technical processes were used in the Putuo Zongcheng Temple. The similarity between ancient materials and commercial restoration materials is confirmed. On this basis, the restoration of the ancient coating is successfully completed. This research on the YMWH layer in ancient coatings will probably improve the understanding and application of traditional coating techniques in the preservation of ancient cultural architecture.