How do you clean an Oil painting??

Question

My girlfriend has a picture of her daughter that was done as an oil painting, but over time it has turned a bit yellow-ie, and was wondering how it could be cleaned!

Answer 1

probably already know: Don't clean it yourself.
But if you have a precious, but less valuable oil painting, you can clean it yourself this way:

Start by using a soft brush to remove dust. Choose an obscure corner of the painting to begin deeper cleaning.

Use a clean cloth dampened with warm water and if no color is removed, you can use a small amount of soap.

Rub lightly in a circular motion.
To dry, stand the painting at an angle in a warm, airy place.

Some authorities quoted in the Indianapolis Star say boiled linseed oil restores the oil that washing has removed. Gently rub the oil on the painting and leave it on a few minutes. Gently rub it off. Don't leave oil on the painting because it will absorb dust.

Answer 2

Does it need cleaning? Check a few things! Where has it been hanging? Direct sunlight, even for a short time each day will cause paint to oxidise and darken. Smokers? cigarette smoke will put a film on paint and attract dust. Quality of the paints? Cheaper white oil paint contains a lot of filler and will tend to "yellow" over time. If you need to experiment, find a corner [try bottom left as you do not look there as often] and with a cotton-bud dipped in warm water with a little shampoo,PH neutral, gently rub the surface in a circular motion over a small area. Look at the cotton-bud! Any colouration? ie: brown? could be dirt film [unless that part of the painting is brown!] Try again, let the surface dry naturally and check the difference. From this you should be able to tell if cleaning is necessary. Keep going yourself, slowly and small areas at a time, or seek out a restorer.That will not be cheap. Is it worth it?

Answer 3

Oil paint won't come off with only water. you ought to soak your brushes in paint remover or turpentine made particular for removing oil based paints. whilst the paint is all bumped off then roll up into an previous rag and wring the brushes only approximately dry. Now placed into yet another container like a plastic throw away cup with a sprint turpentine back and do a similar element to verify the brushes are completely wiped sparkling from any ultimate paint. Wrap back into an previous rag or paper towels and wring the bristles out back. this might make and shop the paint brushes waiting to apply back for oil portray. I continuously take a advantageous piece of white paper and wrap it around the comb and placed slightly scotch tape around to hold the paper in place. I try this to shop the brushes whilst not in use and it keeps them sparkling and suitable difficulty unfastened from airborne dirt and mud.

Answer 4

Start with a belt-sander and some sixty grit.
When you see daylight, switch to eighty and work away until everything is clear.
Rub the stretcher with boiled linseed oil for preserving purposes and replace in the frame.
Hammer a six inch nail into the wall with a fourteen pound hammer.
Hang picture.
There you go!

Answer 5

it can be cleaned as any painting regardless of age but if its of considerable value, then its a job for the experts

Answer 6

i bet the portrait gallery / museum people know and it probably involves an expensive chemical solvent applied in minute quantities and a very particular brush used carefully and delicately ... but that's just a guess

Answer 7

Try using saliva on a cotton bud.

Answer 8

i wud suggest a feather duster for cleaning off dust and stuff but i dont know how to help you in your case.

Answer 9

Bleach and steel wool will clean just about anything!

Answer 10

Do not, especially as it is of sentimental value. Take it to a professional.