Yellowing Varnish ?

[Community Art]

I have a painting that appears to be from 1958 (not signed on the
front). The painting has yellowed quite a bit. It's a snow scene. I've
had this painting for a while, I found it the trash and haven't given it
much thought. But I'm sitting here looking at it and its quite a nice
painting. Everywhere your eye follows it holds its own, except the
yellowing. My question is, "Is there a way to remove the varnish without
damaging the painting?" Its an oil painting, It would be really too bad
if its something that can't be fixed. :-( Thanks. Bob

[Bob & Dale Ford]

Are you sure it isn't just dirty i.e. cigarette smoke.
Dale

[Justine Thyme]

In article <3BEA175A...@mb.sympatico.ca>, bdf...@mb.sympatico.ca says...

>
>Are you sure it isn't just dirty i.e. cigarette smoke.

I agree. A simple cleaning with soapy water
may be all that's needed. Use a soft sponge
or soft cotton cloth. Rinse well with clean
water on the sponge or rag after soaping.
Don't overdo the wetting - be sparing in your
applications.

[Community Art]

Thanks for the help, I tried it, no good. The reason I believe its the
varnish is because of drip lines that has turned yellow. Thanks again.
Bob

[Dik F. Liu]

In article <25250-3B...@storefull-262.iap.bryant.webtv.net>,
RJWh...@webtv.net (Community Art) writes:

Depending on when the painting was varnish, you might be able to remove the
varnish using turpentine. If turpentine doesn't work, try toluene but remove
the varnish very carefully. Soak a Q-tip with toluene and work on the drip
lines first. If you remove any paints, stop. If conversely the toluene can't
remove the varnish, you are in trouble - some idiot probably saturated the
varnish with a drying oil, which is why sometimes varnish yellow. In this case
you need to take the painting to a professional cleaner who will charge you a
princely sum.

Hope this helps.

Dik