Before she died my grandmother did many oil paintings. They are wonderful, but only useful to the family. My mother, a heavy smoker, hung a small oil painting (about 12 x 18) in her small studio apartment for several years. That week she is moving, and gave me the painting. It's desperate and drippy with smoke residue. My local memorial needs very nearly $200 to scrub it! Can there be a home-remedy that I.. One of my loyal readers was seeking advice cleaning a gas painting: My grandmother did many oil paintings before she died. They are attractive, but only important to the family. My mother, a heavy smoker, hung a small oil painting (about 1-2 x 18) in her small studio apartment for several years. This week she's going, and gave me the painting. It's difficult and drippy with smoke residue. This powerful [[http://www.threadless.com/profile/3021768/hoecoast9|analysis]] article has several dazzling cautions for how to engage in this view. My local art gallery needs almost $200 to completely clean it! Will there be a home-remedy that I possibly could try? Demonstrably, I dont want to damage it, but its not a important piece, and I only want it washed enough to hold in my own kitchen (still life with wine and fresh fruit). Thanks for any assistance you are able to offer! I cant make any guarantees (since Im not really a curator) concerning the security of those means of your particular painting. But I could tell you what I do to wash the pictures I possess. 1.The safest solution, but won't focus on parts is by using a really soft brush to get rid of dust and smoke particles (very soft paintbrush, baby toothbrush, shaving brush, that sort of thing). You can buy a micro connection package for your vacuum that's small brushes (under an inch in diameter) for deeper cleanup (dont wash the top using the bristles, thoughjust light, circular passes). If that doesnt work, you can use a dry rubber sponge in a nutshell strokes throughout the surface, but only if the surface isnt damaged or flaky. I-t sees every last bit of dust and smoke, but likely wont work on the really difficult parts. 2.The other alternative is to utilize gentle, clean cloths and water with a few drops of dish soap. Do so, If you're able to take away the frame-to check this privately or edge of the painting first. Watch the top of the painting and always check if the paint hues are lifting off clearly, and the cloths to see whats coming off, stop washing. Take to only wet fabrics at first, dab the painting, no cleaning. Be careful to not stretch the canvas by pressing too hard, if she painted o-n canvas. If damp fabrics arent working, make use of a bit more water, just beware that water can run under varnish, if there is any, and that if the paint is slender, and the canvas or board gets wet, it can shrink or warp and cause cracks in-the paint. Ive washed my own paintings this way, but easily ever tried it at a gallery a conservator could move my neck! Ive also used alcohol o-n a cotton ball for really bad areasscary, but it works. Make use of a tiny level of alcohol. If these procedures won't work, it may be worth it to ask around in the gallery to see if there's a conservators apprentice or assistant working there. Ask around unofficially by checking with the security guards, reception staff, gallery store clerks, and so forth. She or he may be willing to examine your painting to propose a solvent or clean it for a cheap (under-the table o-n his/her own time). You could also check classic and framing stores to see when they have lower prices for cleaning services. All the best washing your oil painting! Please I want to know in the event that you found my advice valuable. For more helpful oil painting guidelines reference my website.CarpetFirst 78 York Street London W1H 1DP 020 8099 8444