Simple Steps to Clean an Oil Painting

If you’ve just acquired an oil painting or all ready have several paintings in your art collection and would like to give them a cleaning here are a couple of ways that you can do this. The first method is a way to clean dirt from the surface of oil paintings.

1. Bread- Yes, Bread, one to two loaves unless you have a very large painting you made need more. Sourdough is good bread for this in case you’re wondering.
2. Weather- When the weather is good it’s an idea to take the painting outside or place it on a large drop cloth, be prepared, this method can be quite messy.
3. Scrub- Pull the dough from the inside of the loaf of bread and scrub the oil painting by applying a gentle pressure. As the dough becomes dirty or begins to disintegrate, replace it with a new piece of dough from the middle of the loaf. Continue this procedure until you have covered the entire surface of the canvas.
4. Brush- Take a soft bristle brush, a good quality house painting brush will do, and brush off the crumbs that are remaining on the picture. Be sure you get all the crumbs off or you may end up with an army of ants attached to your painting.

Another method is for cleaning a picture that is painted on an artist board with oil paints.

1. Dust- Use a very soft brush to dust the painting with a very light touch.
2. Soap- Make up a mild solution of liquid soap.
3. Clean- Using a clean, soft rag, gently blot the surface of the painting, removing the oil and grime build up. Work in a small area and do not saturate the painting with the soap solution. Do not at anytime rub.
4. Repeat- You may need to repeat the process again, so be sure to let the painting dry completely.

Painting that are older than 50 to 60 years old are usually protected with a layer of varnish, which requires a solution in order to be cleaned, such as alcohol with a cotton swab. This method however, does not work on oil paintings that are coated with veneer.

Before undertaking any oil painting cleaning project it is best to check the quality of the paint’s ability to adhere to the artist board. Be warned that if the paint layer is very thick and raised from the surface or is flaking on any part of the painting you should avoid cleaning the piece at all, just leave it alone. If the painting is comparatively flat and unimpaired, try using the method mentioned above.

Please do not submerge the entire painting under water. You will end up with a warped, ruined painting. In fact, less is better. The less water you have to use, the better.

There are no guarantees when attempting to clean an oil painting. Depending on the style and techniques the artist used on your painting can determine the end result of your cleaning. Good or Bad.

Copyright 2007 Janice J. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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