Question Cleaning an oil painting

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M

mayos

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Oct 8, 2007
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673
Loc
Clay Center, KS.
A customer came in today wanting an oil painting cleaned. She's inherited it from a person who smoked a great deal so it's stained badly. Does anyone know of anyone around the Kansas area who does something like this or can someone tell me how to do it?

Thanks!!
 
Jerry, cleaning an oil is not rocket science but you shouldn't start with a customer's piece. I would contact a conservator. Someone should chime in with a good resource in your area soon.

Cleaning an oil usually means carefully removing the existing varnish using various chemicals and then revarnishing. There are various types of varnishes that artists may use. Some of the newer ones are easily removed with mineral spirits. Older varnishes may take acetone or other very difficult materials to work with which take training and practice to use effectively without damaging the painting.

If you do want to pursue learning more about cleaning paintings or doing minor restoration work, here is a good source to start:

http://www.gainsboroughproducts.com/
 
Not terribly close to you, but the AIC website (www.conservation-us.org) Find a Conservator search feature turned up two: http://tinyurl.com/27lzo88

As far as telling you how, that's not something I would recommend with the distance learning method, even with some of the fine minds of the Grumble. And you sure don't want to learn on your customer's artwork.
 
Removal of a surface coating from an oil painting can result in loss of glazes that the artis added, if it is not done by someone fully trained in this field. Framers should refer this risky work to conservators, which reference can generate framing referrals from the conservators.


Hugh
 
One thing to bear in mind. All oil paintings are different. You could clean one and it will come out fine. You could employ the same methods on another and fetch all the paint off. Sadly, some artists pay very little heed to the craft side of the making art. The hard part is telling what method will work. That's were the experience of a good constervator comes in.
 
Cleaning paintings is not rocket science, it can be way more difficult! There are quite a number of variables including methods and materials used, past environment and past treatments. Plenty of room for unknowns, and there is no one way to clean them. That's why we are lucky to have conservation scientists like Richard Wolbers researching and testing new, less invasive methods than have been used in the past.

This might give you an taste of what a complicated and varied field it is. http://www.conservation-us.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=484&parentID=476
 
I use over the counter PineOil based cleaners u can get in craft stores or online, of course. Windsor Newton makes a fair one, just use it outside, phewww....

I won't claim its conservation work, in fact, i'm sure its far from it. But i tell the customer that right up front that this is not a conservation process and for those that show any hint of concern i will redirect them to seek a conservator and bring it back for framing.

Most customers however, arent looking for awesome, they're just looking for clean. That said, i will only take the job with a waiver stating they know it isnt a conservation process and that it may damage the art.

I will always test the mixture on the edges first and brave a corner with a q-tip. i let it dry a few days before reapproaching the picture and if the tests go well, i will progress into background. If all goes well, i will lightly do the main focus of the painting.

So far, its all gone well. I've used it on 100 year old canvas all the way down to a painting on chipboard and so far no ill effects.

Good luck.
 
I realize this post is from last June but The Frame Guild in Wichita, 316-684-1361, is the shop to whom I refer most of my painting-cleaning requests, at least until I learn to do it myself... ;)
 
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