My grandmother did many oil paintings before she died. They're lovely, but only valuable to the family. My mother, huge smoker, put a small oil painting (about 12 x 18) in her small studio apartment for quite some time. That week she's going, and gave the painting to me. It's difficult and drippy with smoke residue. My local memorial wants nearly $200 to wash it! Will there be a home-remedy that I.. Among my loyal readers was seeking advice washing a gas painting: Before she died my grandmother did a few oil paintings. They are beautiful, but only valuable to our family. My mother, a heavy smoker, put a small oil painting (about 12 x 18) in her small studio apartment for many years. That week she's going, and gave me the painting. It's sticky and drippy with smoke residue. My local memorial wants almost $200 to wash it! Can there be a home-remedy that I really could attempt? Certainly, I dont want to harm it, but its not really a valuable piece, and I only want it washed enough to hang in my own kitchen (still living with fruit) and wine. Thanks for any advice you can provide! I cant make any guarantees (because Im not really a curator) concerning the security of the options for your particular painting. But I could let you know what I do to wash the pictures I possess. 1.The safest selection, but will not work on sweaty parts is to use a very soft brush to get rid of dirt and soot particles (tremendous soft paintbrush, child toothbrush, shaving brush, that sort of thing). You can purchase a micro attachment set for your vacuum that has little brushes (under an inch in length) for deeper cleanup (dont scrub the top using the bristles, thoughjust light, rounded moves). If that doesnt work, you need to use a dry rubber sponge simply speaking strokes over the surface, but only if the surface isnt broken or flaky. I discovered anyclean by searching newspapers. I-t sees every last little bit of dust and soot, but likely wont work on the really difficult parts. 2.The other alternative is to use gentle, clean towels and water with a couple of drops of dish soap. If you can take away the frame-to check this on the side or edge-of the painting first, do-so. Watch the surface of the painting and examine the cloths to see whats coming off, and certainly if the paint hues are lifting off, stop cleaning. Take to just moist towels initially, dab the painting, no cleaning. Be careful to not expand the canvas by pushing too much, if she painted o-n canvas. If moist cloths arent working, make use of a little more water, only beware that water can seep under varnish, if there's any, and that if the paint is slender, and the canvas or panel gets damp, it can shrink or warp and cause cracks in-the paint. Ive washed my very own pictures this way, but if I ever tried it at a gallery a conservator could wring my neck! Ive also used alcohol on a cotton ball for really poor areasscary, however it works. Work with a tiny amount of alcohol. It may be worth it to ask around in the gallery to see if there is a conservators apprentice or helper working there, if these methods won't work. Request information from unofficially by checking using the security guards, party staff, gallery shop clerks, and so on. He or she may be ready to examine your painting to suggest a solvent or clear it for a cheap (under the dining table o-n his/her own time). You could also check old-fashioned and framing shops to see if they have lower prices for cleaning services. All the best cleaning your oil painting! Please let me know in the event that you found my advice valuable. For more valuable oil painting methods refer to my blog.CarpetFirst 78 York Street London W1H 1DP 020 8099 8444
