How to Clean An Oil Painting

Some friends were seeking advice on how to clean an oil painting:
''Dear Sir,
I purchased an oil painting and I suspect it needs to be cleaned, although it also needs a new frame and matting. The cleaning and framing, I think, would be more than the actual price I paid for the painting. I am willing to pay for new framing, although I would like to try cleaning it myself.
Any hints on cleaning.
Thanking you in advance.
Best, Mark''

Oil paintings are a unique and quantitative media. Most of these paintings take up to six months to completely cure and settle. More than other types of rough and ready projects, cleaning oil paintings need to be really trusted to specialist conservators. However, if your painting is not that old, not offensively precious, or not too significant, there are a few likely ways to make it look brighter and spot less yourself. In addition, changing true antiques almost forever decreases their value, whether or not they look better to you. Now, let’s began.

Step 1, On a pretty day, take the painting outdoors--or work inside on a large drop cloth--since this is a messy procedure.
Step 2, You would better to take a photograph of your painting. So, you’ll remember what your paintings looked like before you clean them. This will act as a before picture and allow corrections.
Step 3, It is best to remove it from the frame. Lay the oil painting to be cleaned face up on a flat stable surface, such as a workbench or table, which is covered with a soft cushioning material, such as doubled blanked or polyurethane foam to avoid damaging the frame.
Step 4, Apply a neutralizer on a piece of cotton and gently wipe it over the painting to clean off any dirt on its surface. To determine which product will clean paintings best, use a cotton swab with emulsion cleaner and varnish remover to test a corner of the painting. Emulsion cleaner removes dirt and smoke. Varnish remover removes yellowed varnish.
Step 5, Now start to clean the oil painting. Dip a 6" wooden Q-tip into the cleaning solution. Use a rolling motion (not a circular motion) when applying the cleaner. Make sure that you are removing dirt or varnish and not paint. Take another photograph before you clean the entire painting. Dispose of used swabs and cotton in a covered metal container.
Step 6, Varnishing the oil painting with a gloss varnish to preserve your oil painting. Using a soft bristle brush-- such as a good quality house painting brush--brush the remaining dough crumbs off the painting. Go methodically over the entire surface because the dough likes to stick and any remaining crumbs would be an enticement to insects.

Following all of the six steps, the oil painting will be cleaned perfectly. If all of these methods don’t work, it might be better for you to ask around at the gallery to see if there is a conservator’s apprentice or helper working there. Ask around unofficially by checking with the security guards, reception staff, gallery shop clerks, etc. They might be willing to look at your painting to recommend a solvent or clean it for a lower price. You could also check antique and framing shops to see if they have lower prices for cleaning services.

For other friends, if you ever require or desire to get rid of the work for any reason, always contact the artist, who must be informed of the work's new location so he or she could update the work's origin records.
Good luck cleaning your oil painting!

Article Source: http://www.spells4free.com

Alexander is graduated from Central Art Academic with a Bachelor Degree in Painting Art. He is an avid enthusiast of the oil painting art and is engaged in continuing his contribution to the art world. Now, he works for an oil painting store. Ask more questions or see his art, please visit www.ceruleangalery.com or contact him through mail article@ceruleangallery.com.

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