Best way to clean paintings on wood
by
Catherinekay
+4
My late mother painted several paintings on wood and they have become very dingy. What's the safest and best way to "bring them back to life"?
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/cleaning-maintaining-all-kinds-116975
Assuming it's oil paint, try a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball, being careful to not let it pool or run. People make careers of cleaning and restoring fine art work and there are a lot of things to know. If I were you I would be looking for suggestions everywhere on the internet so you can develop a plan that gives you the best chance of success, pooling the knowledge you can find.
Everyone knows you cannot post anything on the internet that's not true, but some of it is suspect. Getting recommendations from several sources allows you to avoid the outliers.
Before you try anything. Take a Q-tip and dampen it. Run it lightly in an inconspicuous place. This could be paint that washes off.
Use vinegar. Put the vinegar on a soft cloth an gently rub over the painting.
We bought a painting this fall that my husband (artist) cleaned but it was an oil painting. You must first determine what kind of paint your mother used.
Hello Catherine......Don’t. It is a job for a pro.....
If you’re determined to do this yourself, take your time. I would Take. A q-tip and test a few different cleaning agents. First try plain water, soap and water, rubbing alcohol, etc. You may find that one of the simple methods will work wonderfully. Good. Luck