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Diploma in Patina: Minimal Intervention Criteria

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in patina and minimal intervention criteria for historic vehicles: 8 modules covering the concept of patina, intervention theory, documentation and diagnosis, painted surfaces, metals and chrome, interiors and organic materials, and mechanical use of the vehicle, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the value of patina on a historic vehicle.

02

Apply international principles of intervention.

03

Document and diagnose the state of conservation.

04

Conserve painted surfaces without losing originality.

05

Stabilise metals and chrome with minimal intervention.

06

Conserve interiors and organic materials.

07

Balance use of the vehicle with its conservation.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Historic vehicle conservators.
  • Restorers specialising in preservation.
  • Concours d’elegance judges.
  • Collection advisers.
  • Motor museum technicians.
  • Heritage documentation specialists.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to work in motor museums.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Turin Charter (FIVA principles for the use, restoration and preservation of historic vehicles)
  • FIVA Technical Code (historic vehicle classification and originality)
  • Venice Charter, 1964 (international charter for the conservation of monuments and sites)
  • Nara Document on Authenticity, 1994 (authenticity in cultural heritage)
  • UNE-EN 15898 (conservation of cultural property, main general terms)
  • UNE-EN 16095 (conservation of cultural property, condition recording for movable heritage)
  • ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums (professional ethics for museums)
  • E.C.C.O. Professional Guidelines (European conservator-restorers’ professional standards)
  • Adobe Lightroom Classic
  • Capture One
  • CollectiveAccess
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Patina in cultural heritage
  2. 1.2Patina on vehicles
  3. 1.3Traces of use and history
  4. 1.4Originality and authenticity
  5. 1.5Preservation-class vehicles
  6. 1.6Market value of patina
  7. 1.7Patina versus deterioration
  8. 1.8How owners and judges perceive it
  9. 1.9The ethical debate
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of an award-winning preservation-class vehicle
  1. 2.1International restoration charters
  2. 2.2The Turin Charter
  3. 2.3Authenticity according to the Nara Document
  4. 2.4Minimal intervention
  5. 2.5Reversibility
  6. 2.6Distinguishability
  7. 2.7Material compatibility
  8. 2.8Conservation, restoration and reconstruction
  9. 2.9Decision-making
  10. 2.10Practical: intervention decision matrix
  1. 3.1Historical research
  2. 3.2Photographic recording
  3. 3.3Damage mapping
  4. 3.4Identifying original materials
  5. 3.5Paint layers and repaints
  6. 3.6Non-invasive analysis
  7. 3.7Conservation priorities
  8. 3.8Condition report
  9. 3.9Intervention archive
  10. 3.10Workshop: condition report on a preservation-class vehicle
  1. 4.1Original paints
  2. 4.2Cleaning aged paint
  3. 4.3Paint consolidation
  4. 4.4Minimal touch-ups
  5. 4.5Waxes and protection
  6. 4.6Corrosion under paint
  7. 4.7Stabilising rust
  8. 4.8What should not be polished
  9. 4.9Maintaining the patina
  10. 4.10Laboratory: cleaning tests on original paint
  1. 5.1Pitted chrome
  2. 5.2Stabilising corrosion
  3. 5.3Cleaning brass and copper
  4. 5.4Oxidised aluminium
  5. 5.5Reversible protective coatings
  6. 5.6Original fasteners
  7. 5.7Castings
  8. 5.8Justified replacement
  9. 5.9Recording replaced parts
  10. 5.10Practical: stabilising original chrome plating
  1. 6.1Aged leather
  2. 6.2Original textiles
  3. 6.3Wood and varnishes
  4. 6.4Plastics and Bakelite
  5. 6.5Rubber and seals
  6. 6.6Gentle cleaning
  7. 6.7Consolidation
  8. 6.8Discreet repairs
  9. 6.9Protection from light
  10. 6.10Case study: conserving an original interior
  1. 7.1Conserving and driving
  2. 7.2Functional and safe mechanics
  3. 7.3Original versus new components
  4. 7.4Fluids and consumables
  5. 7.5Tyres and safety
  6. 7.6Documenting mechanical interventions
  7. 7.7Use and added wear
  8. 7.8Maintenance plan
  9. 7.9Advising the owner
  10. 7.10Practical: recommissioning plan for a barn find
  1. 8.1Selecting the vehicle
  2. 8.2Historical research
  3. 8.3Condition report
  4. 8.4Intervention proposal
  5. 8.5Surface treatments
  6. 8.6Interior treatments
  7. 8.7Use and maintenance plan
  8. 8.8Conservation dossier
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original charters and standards and applied exercises. The working software is Adobe Lightroom Classic, Capture One and CollectiveAccess, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: cleaning tests on original paint, a condition report on a preservation-class vehicle and stabilisation of corrosion on chrome. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: Turin Charter (FIVA), FIVA Technical Code, Venice Charter (1964), Nara Document on Authenticity (1994), UNE-EN 15898, UNE-EN 16095, ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, E.C.C.O. Professional Guidelines.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the Turin Charter, the Venice Charter, the Nara Document and UNE-EN 16095 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Adobe Lightroom Classic, Capture One and CollectiveAccess, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:A minimal intervention proposal for a historic vehicle, from condition report to treatments and a conservation dossier, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Vehicle and historical research
Select the vehicle and research its history and originality.
Condition report
Record and map the condition of paint, metals, interior and mechanics.
Intervention proposal
Define the minimal, reversible treatments justified by the charters.
Use and maintenance plan
Plan how the vehicle can be used and maintained without losing its patina.
Final project
Conservation dossier, report and presentation, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Historic vehicle conservatorPreservation restorerConcours d’elegance judgeCollection adviserMotor museum technicianHeritage documentation specialist
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Adobe Lightroom Classic, Capture One and CollectiveAccess, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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