Opinions Wanted Lotion on Original Acrylic...moisturize me!

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H

Hatter

True Grumbler
Joined
Aug 15, 2012
Posts
56
Loc
Kenai, AK
Hello Grumblers! We had an unusual artist recommendation recently, and I wanted to get some opinions, warnings, anecdotes, or general thoughts on the subject.

A valued customer of ours had a commissioned piece, acrylic paint, done and shipped to him. It was rolled before totally dry and bits of paper stuck to the paint. With weeks of communication between us, customer, and artist, we have managed to get all the paper off but consequently there are now dull patches on the piece. Our customer called today and explained that the artist had recommended rubbing lotion into the dull blotches to shine them up and gently blend them into the rest of the piece; naturally he is apprehensive about this and wants input/research/recommendations.
This seems like a terrible idea, with or without direct artist permission. We're discussing amongst ourselves here at the shop, but OF COURSE want to hear what you all have to say if anyone has done this or heard of this method before. I can't even find anything online pertaining to the subject.

Much thanks!!!
 
Being up in Alaska, I'm sure you can substitute Moose grease for lotion.:thumbsup:

Always happy to help.
 
Lotion should only be used on the skin...or to avoid getting the hose again.

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I would suggest that it be sent back to the artist to correct. Why should his/her problem become yours. Sounds like you have already spend a lot of time on this that you most likely aren't getting paid for.

And NO!, I wouldn't put lotion on it.
 
BUUUAHAHHAHAHAHAHA !!! this is the best one yet!!!

The little devil on my shoulder is chanting..... "DO IT >>> DO IT >>> DO IT!!!! "
 
JPaul's recommendation is spot on... pun intended.
 
Yet again, the Grumble needs "Like" buttons! Haha. Perhaps seal grease would be more apt than moose or lotion. I hear whale is pretty lubricating, as well as clean burning ;)
Straight faced now. The artists has offered to redo the piece, but from what our customer says it's fairly obvious said artist doesn't want to. Never had this happen before, always package them that way, yada yada. The time has come, I believe.
 
If a replacement piece is on the way, maybe we should rub this one down just for slicks and giggles...with permission, of course!
 
If you are going to get a replacement then, YEAH!!!... Slather that thing and let us know what happens!!
 
It sounds to me like the artist has no clue how to solve his problem, either. I would send it to a conservator, and have the bill sent to the artist. He can rub some lotion on that, right before he pays it.
 
With you on that Paul! A lesson learner for future shipping reference, if the arteest was of the disposition for lesson learning...he he
From how the back and forth has been going, it sounds like fixing the piece is not an option. A new piece is the issue fixer, strangely enough; it's an impressionist piece, and comes from quite far away. All this will be discussed with our customer, so no headway quite yet :)
 
Seeing that it is the artist's responsibility I would pass the buck right back to them.
My understanding is that acrylic paintings should have a coat of clear acrylic varnish (sealant) to help prevent dirt from getting in the micropores that are formed while it is drying. If that is the case the repair would also use the same varnish to even out the reflective nature of the surface.
I also understand that Moose Drool (besides being a fine beverage) acts as a safe natural cleansing agent for painted surfaces.

images
 
Moose Drool, it's what's for dinner!

wpfay said:
Seeing that it is the artist's responsibility I would pass the buck right back to them.
My understanding is that acrylic paintings should have a coat of clear acrylic varnish (sealant) to help prevent dirt from getting in the micropores that are formed while it is drying. If that is the case the repair would also use the same varnish to even out the reflective nature of the surface.
I also understand that Moose Drool (besides being a fine beverage) acts as a safe natural cleansing agent for painted surfaces.

images
Click to expand...
 
OK. I had an acrylic once that was just like that. Long story short, I tried all the techniques for cleaning oils and made a complete mess of it. I didn't know any better then..... I do now.:icon11: After using water/soap on it it went all cloudy. So then I wiped it over with mineral spirits which looked great while it was wet but went cloudy again once dry. Then I tried wax polish. Even worse. In the end I figured acrylic is plastic so I tried some stuff for buffing up plastic bits on cars. Worked like a charm.

Still got the painting - the customer never picked it up. :icon21: Been hanging on my wall for years and it still looks good. I keep it there as a reminder of not to fart about when you don't know what you are doing.

You have to be very careful with acrylics. I was lucky. Get the artist or a good restorer to look at it.

Don't put anything greasy on it. :shutup:
 
Since acryic water dispersion paints dry leaving a surface full of holes (they are were the water was) no one has a good idea of how to keep these surfaces clean, over time. Adding anything is not wise, unless it is the artist making the additions.


Hugh
 
preservator said:
Since acryic water dispersion paints dry leaving a surface full of holes (they are were the water was) no one has a good idea of how to keep these surfaces clean, over time. Adding anything is not wise, unless it is the artist making the additions.


Hugh
Click to expand...

Hugh Just to clairify is it the consences not to varnish acrylic paintings?
I believe the manufactures still recomend them to be varnished.
 
Conservators generally do not recommend varnishing acrylic paintings.


Here's an excerpt from this site: http://www.si.edu/MCI/english/learn_...paintings.html

Removal of the top most dirt layer is perceived to be easier on a varnished painting. Unfortunately, varnishing an acrylic painting is problematic because the dried acrylic paint layer is soluble in the solvents used to make most resin solutions. Cleaning an emulsion paint with no varnish is also problematic because water may remove water-soluble additives and could make the pigment/polymer-binder interface less intimate causing colors to appear less saturated. Cleaning may also swell the thickener additives, disturbing the paint layer. Presently, there is no completely acceptable resolution to the problem of cleaning acrylic paintings.

Glazing appears to be the best option.
 
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