How do you remove cigaret smoke smell from an oil?

equineart

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Posts
125
Loc
Lexington, KY
I have received 2 oils that are very nice and should not be very difficult to sell. You know there is always a BUT, The artist is a serious smoker and the art smells like an old ashtray.

Does anyone have any idea for removing the smell without damaging the art?

Thank you in advance for you time!

Mark
 
You could make boxes out of ArtCare Ragmat and
leave the paintings in them for awhile. This will
not be quick, but being passive, nothing in the
process should have any impact on the painting.
The hydrocarbons that you smell should be taken
up by the zeolites in the board. Microchamber
paper can do the same thing, but it is a bit
less easy to find.

Hugh
 
Hugh,

Thank you for the quick response!

Being a nonsmoker, it bothers me each time I pass by and I know my customers will not appreciate it.

I will give the box idea a try.

Thank you again!

Mark
 
A painting conservator could clean and revarnish them, which might improve their appearance as well as their smell. It's an investment you might recover easily in the price of the painting.
 
How about posting a sign saying "Free LYSOL With Purchase of Painting".
:cool: Rick
sorry. I couldn't restrain myself.
 
Originally posted by Rick Granick:
How about posting a sign saying "Free LYSOL With Purchase of Painting".
:cool: Rick
sorry. I couldn't restrain myself.
Or: Special discount for smokers....
 
Look for a company that specializes in disaster cleanup, such as floods and fire. They can put the paintings in an ozone chamber which will do a nearly miraculous job of getting rid of the smell. They use it to deodorize household items that have been through house fires.
 
Ozone is a highly reactive gas. I wonder if it is safe around paintings?

I once put a rubber band in an ozone chamber and within a few minutes it developed cracks like it was old.
John
 
John is right, ozone is very bad, both from an materials break down view, as well as from a health view.

From the conservation angle I always knew ozone is highly damaging to art, but looked into it when we moved into new house with big smokey smell (wood heat). Everything I learned made me want to stay well away from it, including its only so-so effectiveness.

I have tried lava rock xeolites etc., which work ok, but the best passive system is sunshine and fresh breeze.

I've covered smoky paper objects with Goretex and weighted it down from breezes, and a few hours of that worked better than weeks with lava rock zeolites.

Rebecca
 
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