A range of aqueous methylcellulose mixtures was applied to polished Carrara marble tiles for four hours, 24 hours, and until the poultices had dried to films. The specular gloss of each test area was measured before the poultice was applied and after its removal. When removed wet, poultices made with hard tap-water or deionized water containing a large excess of calcium carbonate or bicarbonates produced little or no change in surface gloss. On the other hand, poultices made with deionized water alone produced significant decreases in specular gloss; this effect was slowed but ultimately not diminished by the addition of ammonium hydroxide to pH 9. After only four hours AB57 made with EDTA produced severe dissolution of the marble, while AB57 made without EDTA did not appear to alter the surface. Mechanical removal of calcite crystals occurred when poultices were allowed to dry to films. When bulking agents were used, there was little or no reduction of poultices made with methycellulose of three different molecular weights showed no discernible difference.