How to clean Oil Paintings
David Davis
tranc...@finfin.com(Trance) wrote:
: "Is there any safe, do-it-yourself way to clean antique oil paintings or
: should this always be left to professionals? Looking for advice.
: CPFa...@AOL.COM" Sure thing, old buddy. Spray a thin coat of EZ-Off (that's
: the oven cleaner) on it and let it stand overnight. In the morning just give
: it a sponge bath, gently now!, and you will have whole new painting for
: yourself! You are welcome, in advance! T.
Ouch! Is that to imply that Caustic Soda is the UNIVERSAL CLEANER for oil
painting? How about a mixture of ammonia and bleach (please don't try that
one. It will KILL you!!!) :-( -Dave-
Susan Germain
> "Is there any safe, do-it-yourself way to clean antique oil paintings or
> should this always be left to professionals? Looking for advice.
> CPFa...@AOL.COM"
>Sure thing, old buddy. Spray a thin coat of EZ-Off (that's
> the oven cleaner) on it and let it stand overnight. In the morning just give
> it a sponge bath, gently now!, and you will have whole new painting for
> yourself! You are welcome, in advance! T.
>
Geez, Trance. Do you think maybe you're a bit cynical?
I am a professional, and often get paintings that were cleaned with
Palmolive ("Well, it's gentle for your hands!") and Linseed oil ("I
thought I'd moisurize it")
When a painting is brought to me I never know what it may have been sealed
with, if anything at all. Shellac is handled completely different from
varnish. The goal is to clean the protective coating, not the pigment.
Using the wrong solution may not budge the dirt in the surface, or burn
the pigment right off!
I ALWAYS start with a small spot that will be covered by the frame till I
find the right solution. If Farley wants to try, go ahead. But for my
money, I'd rather take it to someone who knows what they're doing. It's
cheaper in the longrun.
Good luck!
Susan