Has anyone ever cleaned an oil canvas painting before?
by
Dorene H
+7
9 answers
-
Dorene, I have used oil and a soft cloth.
Pam
on May 12, 2012
-
what kind of oil Pam ?
Dorene H
on May 13, 2012
-
When I bought oil paintings directly from the painter, he told me to use a little Ivory soap and a soft cloth...
Pat S
on May 13, 2012
-
I used a little mineral oil on a soft cloth. You don't want to use anything that will dry out the oil paint as that will make it crack. Ivory should be mild enough. But I wouldn't use much of the soap. Rinse well afterwards. I did some oil painting when I was younger and thought about being an artist. Seems like a lifetime ago. LOL
Pam
on May 13, 2012
-
I studied museum curatorship in college and have restored and resold antiques for many years - what you clean with can depend on the condition of the piece - but the standby for me is white bread (like wonderbread NO seeds or texture to it), crust removed, wadded up and gently rubbed in a circular motion like an eraser. When the bread is dirty, throw it out and get another piece. After you're done "erasing," tip it and tap the frame gently to knock off the crumbs, or blow across it, or use a new, large paintbrush to brush it clean. The trick is to use enough pressure to clean without straining the canvas, but bread does a good job with just light strokes. If it is a valuable piece and/or old, cracked, or too dirty to clean this way - I would have a professional clean it - oils and soaps may be fine for short term but can corrode the paint and canvas over time.
Angela S
on May 14, 2012
-
Thank you so much Angela. I'm going to try the bread. But if it doesn't do much I'm going to have it professional done. My great grandfather painted it
Dorene H
on May 14, 2012
-
You are very welcome! Sounds like you have a precious antique there! Feel free to ask any other questions you may have and good luck.
Angela S
on May 14, 2012
-
I do it means so much to me.. My great grandfather painted it of me when I was a little girl
Dorene H
on May 18, 2012
-
First, dust with a soft brush (such as a makeup brush you are not using...we all have one). The wipe with warm, soapy water. Once clean, wipe with damp wet cloth to rinse and then spray with oil paint protector...you can purchase at a craft shop...it is spray linseed oil, the same oil you use to mix with your paints. You can take painting out of frame or tape off frame to spray.
Jeanette S
on May 19, 2012
Sign Up to Answer
Suggested Project Book
