Comments on: Reader’s Question: Cleaning an Oil Painting http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/ Use what you have, get creative and save! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:41:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jenn @ Frugal Upstate http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/comment-page-1/#comment-90802 Jenn @ Frugal Upstate Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:37:22 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=1492#comment-90802 Kevin~Thanks for letting us know that it really works! And thank for the link to the scientific article--it's always good to provide folks with as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision about what to do--especially when dealing with something they probably can't "fix" if they mess it up, like an oil painting! Kevin~Thanks for letting us know that it really works! And thank for the link to the scientific article–it’s always good to provide folks with as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision about what to do–especially when dealing with something they probably can’t “fix” if they mess it up, like an oil painting!

]]> By: Kevin Daniel http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/comment-page-1/#comment-90799 Kevin Daniel Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:57:25 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=1492#comment-90799 By the way, here is a link to a scientific research articl that supports the use of saliva as a cleaning agent. http://www.jstor.org/pss/1506167 By the way, here is a link to a scientific research articl that supports the use of saliva as a cleaning agent.

http://www.jstor.org/pss/1506167

]]> By: Kevin Daniel http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/comment-page-1/#comment-90797 Kevin Daniel Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:52:45 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=1492#comment-90797 I tried the spit technique and it really works. I had a couple of 8 x 10 paintings, that were probably from the 1950s, not varnished and incredibly filthy. I used a cotton swab and just stuck one end in my mouth and then gently rolled it across the surface of the paintings, which slowly moistened the grime and removed it. It took me about 2 hours to clean one 8 x 10 painting, so this is very time consuming. A cotton swab can only clean a very small area of the painting and I probably used a hundred double tipped swabs to clean one painting. I tried the spit technique and it really works. I had a couple of 8 x 10 paintings, that were probably from the 1950s, not varnished and incredibly filthy. I used a cotton swab and just stuck one end in my mouth and then gently rolled it across the surface of the paintings, which slowly moistened the grime and removed it. It took me about 2 hours to clean one 8 x 10 painting, so this is very time consuming. A cotton swab can only clean a very small area of the painting and I probably used a hundred double tipped swabs to clean one painting.

]]> By: Jenn @ Frugal Upstate http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/comment-page-1/#comment-27110 Jenn @ Frugal Upstate Mon, 03 May 2010 11:46:58 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=1492#comment-27110 Mario~Thanks for the input! It is always great to hear from an expert on these types of questions. Mario~Thanks for the input! It is always great to hear from an expert on these types of questions.

]]> By: mario C http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/comment-page-1/#comment-27085 mario C Sun, 02 May 2010 20:21:32 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=1492#comment-27085 Cindy is correct. I don't know about the bread thing. I worked for a conservator who while cleaning a painting used saliva. I have also heard that the Met collects it from workers. Another way to clean is with mild detergent mixed with bottled water. Test in corners but the basic idea is that you clean the painting without removing the paint so check the swab often and do not rub instead, spin the swab slowly. Another thing to keep in mind is to do fields of color at a time. So sky, Then fields, then trees, etc. Good luck. P.S. This does not to take into account varnishes and glazing techniques used in painting. Cindy is correct. I don’t know about the bread thing. I worked for a conservator who while cleaning a painting used saliva. I have also heard that the Met collects it from workers. Another way to clean is with mild detergent mixed with bottled water. Test in corners but the basic idea is that you clean the painting without removing the paint so check the swab often and do not rub instead, spin the swab slowly. Another thing to keep in mind is to do fields of color at a time. So sky, Then fields, then trees, etc. Good luck.

P.S. This does not to take into account varnishes and glazing techniques used in painting.

]]> By: Cindy Brick http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/comment-page-1/#comment-9521 Cindy Brick Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:33:55 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=1492#comment-9521 I enjoy your blog so much that it's a pleasure to be able to help out once in a while. Know how the Smithsonian's curators clean their paintings? With spit! They keep a handful of q-tips (theirs have a long handle) and a very large glass of water to "refresh" the source, shall we say. I'm not kidding. I read this in last year's September issue of the SMTIHSONIAN. The curators said saliva was one of the best natural non-abrasive cleaners around. I enjoy your blog so much that it’s a pleasure to be able to help out once in a while. Know how the Smithsonian’s curators clean their paintings? With spit! They keep a handful of q-tips (theirs have a long handle) and a very large glass of water to “refresh” the source, shall we say.

I’m not kidding. I read this in last year’s September issue of the SMTIHSONIAN. The curators said saliva was one of the best natural non-abrasive cleaners around.

]]> By: Molly http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/comment-page-1/#comment-9473 Molly Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:05:53 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=1492#comment-9473 I just read in the Real Simple magazine about cleaning an oil painting with a piece of regular/dry white bread and dabbing it over the painting...It might just dust it, but it's something! I just read in the Real Simple magazine about cleaning an oil painting with a piece of regular/dry white bread and dabbing it over the painting…It might just dust it, but it’s something!

]]> By: Jenny http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/comment-page-1/#comment-9467 Jenny Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:01:11 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=1492#comment-9467 I recently researched an article on this topic so here is the article (free to read!). Obviously, do not try any self cleaning methods on a valuable painting or one that will leave you heartbroken to lose. http://www.ehow.com/how_5155460_clean-painting.html I recently researched an article on this topic so here is the article (free to read!). Obviously, do not try any self cleaning methods on a valuable painting or one that will leave you heartbroken to lose.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5155460_clean-painting.html

]]> By: Mercedes http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/comment-page-1/#comment-9450 Mercedes Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:15:01 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=1492#comment-9450 I think this maybe one of those instances when being cheap is not the same as being frugal. While the painting may not have any monetary value it has a lot of sentimental value for her and that should not be dismissed. It doesn't seem she is in a rush to get this cleaned. I would start saving money now to get this professionally cleaned in the future and return this painting to his original state. I am sure the painting and memories deserve that. Mercedes I think this maybe one of those instances when being cheap is not the same as being frugal. While the painting may not have any monetary value it has a lot of sentimental value for her and that should not be dismissed. It doesn’t seem she is in a rush to get this cleaned. I would start saving money now to get this professionally cleaned in the future and return this painting to his original state. I am sure the painting and memories deserve that.

Mercedes

]]> By: Leanne http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/readers-question-cleaning-an-oil-painting/comment-page-1/#comment-9448 Leanne Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:37:10 +0000 http://www.frugalupstate.com/?p=1492#comment-9448 Bread could well work, I know it can be used to remove any nicotine staining from upholstery that's been in a smoker's home so it could be quite good at removing any surface dirt. They coulld try calling any larger local galleries to see if they cane speak to someone serving an apprenticeship. They may be willing to clean it to add to their experience using pro tools for very little money. Bread could well work, I know it can be used to remove any nicotine staining from upholstery that’s been in a smoker’s home so it could be quite good at removing any surface dirt.

They coulld try calling any larger local galleries to see if they cane speak to someone serving an apprenticeship. They may be willing to clean it to add to their experience using pro tools for very little money.

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