From: Richard Kahn
To: Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd: Library update from Brandon
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2015 01:28:13 +0000
Richard Kahn
HBRK Associates Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Tel 212-971-1306
Fax 646-350-0954
Cell 917-414-7584
Begin forwarded message:
From: Brandon Thompson <
Date: April 21, 2015 at 9:04:19 PM EDT
To: Richard Kahn
Subject: Library
Dear Mr. Kahn,
Time to update you with the progress on the restoration of the Library.
Believe it or not, the beginning of this restoration is like a detective story.
We have a lot of dark-purple sections, still did not dawn on me that the worst will be the true. During the work
today, as we dis-attached the doors from the lower cabinets, we found molds in some places. What happen, the
moisture causes the condensation and than sets on the objects. In one place was so severe, that I thought it was
a flooding or leak from the roof. I HAVE TO GO WITH ALTERNATIVE RESTORATION. I am presuming
Mr. Epstein loves the liming wax finish, but this kind of finish does not adequately protects the wood from
damage. Needless to say, oak wood have largest expansion and contraction rate from all the woods. This causes
the wood-grain to absorb the moisture and with time create spots. Oak contains iron, which in turn will create
on the surface dark spots. Right now, we have thousands tiny dark spots, which can be eliminated. The
darkening of the wood can be confirmed by all the peoples witnessing to it.
I am coming with the solution to this problem. I will strip and wash all the wood.. I will emphasize the grain of
the wood but than I will seal it may be even two times and finish with varnish (satin) finish. Once this is sealed
and finished, I will rub the surfaces with the steel wool and apply the wax finish. I could apply liming-wax
finish as well.
Tomorrow, I will take a hair dryer and will kill the molds. This is the type of the mold, that sucks moisture from
environment and uses it for its own purpose.
Also, I will recommend to use Silica Gel. There is a Silica Gel that changes the color once is saturated with
water. You can process Silica Gel by baking it in the oven in 185 degrees of F and reuse it as many times as you
want.
This would solve some of the moisture problem in the Library.
I was thinking that I may finish one wall for Mr. Epstein, for him to see and if he approves it, I will finish the
rest of the Library in the same way.
Please give me some feed back on the subject.
Thank you.
EFTA00858806
Brandon Thompson
PS there is a way I could finish the Library by covering most of the problems and make easy money. I would
not feel well doing this. I know the way I want to go is more difficult but at the same time, better service and
lasting restoration.
Change in the method of restoration caused me to buy different materials.
If this could happen in NY you would not even know, as I have most of these materials in stock. Unfortunately,
this is different, I am away from my "perch".
EFTA00858807