From April 1 to 10, 1997, staff of the Fine Arts Section of the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) carried out conservation treatment work at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on a large mural Homage to RFK. The work, by artist William Ronald, is acrylic on particle board, 13.4 m high by 18.3 m wide. The mural had been treated 20 years earlier by CCI, but since that time has suffered from stains, finger and scuff marks, abrasion and losses, and airborne dirt and grime, which have dulled the colours.

Surface dirt and stains were removed as much as possible using a weak solution of a high-foaming, neutral pH detergent applied to the surface of the mural with soft sponges. Dissolved dirt and residues from the cleaning solution were gently wiped from the surface of the mural using terry cloth. The surface was then rinsed with distilled water, also applied with soft sponges, and gently wiped dry with terry cloth.

Access to the surface of the mural was provided by scaffolding along the lower levels, and by a "Genie" hydraulic lifting device at the upper levels. The highest parts of the mural could be reached only by using a sponge mop on a long pole.

More vigorous cleaning, using stronger cleaning solutions, was required on the lower areas of the mural where furniture, the visiting public, and staff had come in contact with the surface. Noticeable losses to the paint layer were filled with a commercial wall-patching compound and were inpainted to match the surrounding colour using acrylic emulsion paints. In several locations, intractable stains and marks that could not be removed were retouched using the same acrylic paints.

To prevent or at least minimize further physical contact with the mural, a protective railing or a raised ledge was recommended.

After treatment, the true brilliance of William Ronald's colour vision is much more apparent and accessible to viewers, who can now enjoy and appreciate it for many years to come.