How To Clean An Old Oil Painting
Olivia Luz

Use a cotton swab to test a corner of the oil painting with gainsborough emulsion cleaner and varnish remover to determine which product will best clean the painting.
Do not use paper towel because little pieces will rip off where the paint has texture. Alongside traditional oil paintings on canvas surface cleaning is also possible for oil paintings on panel and copper. 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. To clean an oil painting lightly dust the surface of the painting with a clean dry paintbrush to remove any surface dirt and debris.
Do not use brute force to try to get the dirt off. Bread is slightly acidic so it can cut through the nicotine. Make sure you haven t had anything to eat or drink at least 30 minutes before cleaning your canvas. Use saliva and a cotton swab to clean the painting.
Lightly roll the cotton swab over the surface of painting focusing on any spaces that look especially dirty. You can also safely clean off dirt and grime on an oil painting using saliva. Avoid the use of water alcohol or baby oil for cleaning your oil painting. To do this gently lay a clean dry towel over the painting.
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Alcohol acts aggressively and rubbing it on the canvas will completely remove the paint. The easiest thing to do is simply rub a slice of white bread over the painting. Start at the center of the painting with your hands flat on the painting smooth the the towel against the painting to soak up the water. Here is a home ready technique that will get rid of the average accumulation of house dust on your oil paintings.A mix of dish soap and water can be used to clean oil paintings but can damage the painting if done improperly. Water will change the texture and look of the paint on your canvas. For copper paintings it is best to avoid aqueous water based treatments. Steps to clean the painting.
Using a conservation gel will remove the surface dirt and not risk the painting. Another home remedy for cleaning oil paintings is to cut a big white potato in half then rub the white moist part over the painting. Apply gainsborough neutralizer to a piece of cotton wool or white cotton cloth and gently wipe over the face of the oil painting to clean off the surface dirt. Swipe a clean cotton swab along your inner cheek or tongue to pick up some saliva.
The dirt will stick to the potato. We now need to mop up all the dirty water from the painting.
Source : pinterest.com