Today’s question comes from Tom, and he asks:
“I have a large dark oil painting, very dusty, I need to clean it and retouch it (I am the artist who painted it). It was glazed and varnished with Liquitex. Once cleaned and retouched, I intend to use Liquitex again. I heard somewhere I could use white bread to clean the surface. Is this a realist means of cleaning?”
Do you have any information that might help Tom?
Please leave your response below in the comment box.
Thanks!
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Diane Overcash on Wed, 17th Sep 2008 10:29 pm
Hi Tom,
I haven’t heard about using bread to clean an oil painting. I have had great results using lemon juice and water and a soft cloth. I use 4 parts water to one part lemon juice. Use a soft cloth, (not terry cloth), dipped in the water and lemon mixture to gently wipe the painting. The lemon helps cut through the sticky buildup from dust and heating and air conditioning systems. Make a final wipe with clean water to remove the lemon juice, and let air dry.
i hope this helps.
Diane Overcash
Mike Swedenberg on Thu, 18th Sep 2008 12:55 am
Hi Tom,
If the painting has great value to you, take it to a reputable restoration shop and have them do it. The few dollars you spend will be less than the emotion cost if you ruin the painting using some kind of gimmick like white bread. Why take a chance?
If that is not an option where you live, take an old painting you may have lying around or one you pick up cheaply at a thrift shop and experiment on that.
Long Island Academy of Fine Art
Jean Davies on Fri, 19th Sep 2008 11:01 am
I read that you can clean an oil painting with a potato cut in half – use the cut side to clean the picture, and keep cutting the potato to get a clean bit as it dirties. Haven’t tried it though, so suggest you try it on a small spot first
Mike Walker on Tue, 23rd Sep 2008 8:30 pm
Hi Tom,
I have cleaned both oil & acrylic paintings, due to dust & crud build up, (both my own work & that of customers). My solution is to use a neutral soap and water solution applied with a soft tooth brush. Then gently rinsed off with clean natural/rain water, (tap water contains chlorine and other additives which may damage the paint over a period of time). Use one of those soaps that are recommended for babies and people with sensitive skin, as they contain much less fat and caustic ingredients. I wouldn’t use potato, white bread or a cloth, as all will leave something behind. After cleaning hang the painting in a warm airy and shaded place preferably outside away from air conditioning or similar heating. It should be fully dry in a few hours.
Karin Wells on Thu, 2nd Oct 2008 5:31 pm
Try distilled water – about a cup to which a drop of liquid dish soap has been added.
You can start with a Q-Tip to test and graduate to a soft cloth and your finger tip to gently clean. If any color or “paint” comes off on the cloth – stop!
Dietrick on Thu, 6th May 2010 4:11 pm
In Holland a friend of mine restores old Dutch masters and NEVER uses soap, but 3% Amonia and DISTILLED water only. One dish hold the solution of Amonia and an other the dist. water with which she washes off directly after wards, also make sure to dry the spot right away.
Dab or rub carefully with cotton make up remover pads in 2 inch squares and work your way accross the painting. Replace the cotton dabs often when they get dirty. Dry right after with toilet paper or kitchen towel.
NEVER us gloss varnish but only special varnish that is reversable in order to avoid it getting stuck and impoosible to remove when it turns yellow, like all coatings do over time.
Lat me know if you need help