How do I Go About Cleaning Oil Paintings?

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Any advice about cleaning an oil painting that's covered in dust or yellowed varnish must come with a major disclaimer. More than other kinds of do-it-yourself projects, cleaning oil paintings should really be trusted to expert conservators. However, if your painting is not that old, not terribly valuable, or not too important, there are a few possible ways to make it look brighter and cleaner yourself. Furthermore, altering true antiques almost always decreases their value, whether or not they look better to you.

Before the 1940s, paintings of oil on canvas were frequently covered with a layer of varnish to add sheen and protect the thick layer of paint, called the impasto. Yet varnish reacts differently to the environment than does paint, so these varnish seals end up cracking, yellowing, or gumming up over time. It can make the original hue of the oil paints look dull or discolored.

If it seems that your painting is older, assess whether the paint is in good shape but the varnish has aged. In this case, try applying a mild solvent called a conservation liquid. Art supply stores might sell an "emulsion" designed to clean and remove varnish. There is always a chance that the solvent will also damage or remove the oil paint. If you are willing to risk this possibility, dab the emulsion with a cotton swab very delicately. Try spot-testing one corner before moving on to the entire canvas. Work in an area with adequate ventilation.

For recent paintings, your problem is more likely a build-up of dust, smoke, pet hair, dander, and even bacterial or fungal growth. In this case, make sure none of the paint is ready to come off the canvas or board, meaning that it doesn't exhibit any cracks or flakes. Then you can carefully dust the surface with a very soft, dry bristle brush, such as a baby toothbrush or shaving cream brush.

When the surface is sticky, grimy, or oily, you may want to take the cleaning a step further and actually use a mild detergent solution. Again, generally speaking, oil and water should never mix, as moisture can damage both the canvas and the impasto. Proceeding with caution, use brand new cotton cloths dipped in a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Lightly blot the surface, but don't scrub, wipe, or rub at the painting. At no point should you submerge any part of the painting, nor allow so much moisture that it drips or pools.

For the experimental types, people have come up with some unorthodox methods of getting dirt off an oil painting. White bread seems to work. Ball up soft, sticky, doughy white bread and gently rub it against the canvas. You'll see it blacken like a pencil eraser. Brush off the crumbs. You also might try a low-suction vacuum with a brush nozzle. This should remove pet hair and dust balls in a deeply textured painting.

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New: Discuss this Article

Posted by: anon13063
Dear Sir

I have done some paintings on canvas (Oil Colour) 6-7 years back, still some of the area wherever I used white colour is little sticky, I feel like it is not dried properly. How can I dry or remove the stickiness.

Please I need your help. Your sincerely, akbar

Posted by: anon6808
how do i get water streaks off our oil paintings. thanking you in advance
Posted by: anon6154
Oil paintings were cleaned in my country succsessfully of dirt with onion or potato cut in half and rubbed over the painting without damaging the color.
Posted by: anon6130
We have oil paintings from italy which were purchased in 1969. My dear husband decided they needed a good scrubbing so he used clear water and a wash cloth, which needless to say you can see where he wiped them. Is there anything that we can do to correct this?

thank you

js

Posted by: packrat
I have an oil painting my father bought my mother in 1968. It has hung in a home with heavy smokers since then. the colors have become dull. It also got wet during a hurricane when the windows were blown out. Can it be restored?
Posted by: anon5018
JK,

If you have a steady hand, try using a sharp scalpel blade to open an edge between the painting and the emulsion blob. Then use your fingernail or a toothpick to prise the blob away. Oil and water paints will stick together but the bond is weak, so the emulsion may well peel away when you get underneath it.

Posted by: ceilidh71
I have an old oil painting from prior to the Napier earthquake in New Zealand. I would like to clean it. I would appreciate it if some one could advise me.

Thanks

Posted by: anon3833
I have an oil painting (approx 20 years old) which has, in some areas, been painted with very thick layers. A small 'blob' (5mm x 5mm )of white emulsion paint has, unfortunately, fallen onto a dark red area of this painting. How do I get rid of it please?

JK


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