Cleaning oil paintings

This is a new purchase , it needs a clean up , I’d like to do it myself, any tips ? It’s by “Cherubini”

 

I cleaned this small painting myself, this is a before and after photo:


This is what I did... First, remove the painting from the frame. Second, use a very soft brush to clean off any dust. Next collect Q-tips (you will need LOTS of them). The only thing you want to use, I mean the ONLY THING, is saliva, no I am not kidding. DO NOT use any cleaners, DO NOT use water! The enzymes in saliva is what does the cleaning and it won't damage the paint.

You can collect the saliva over a period of time. My painting was small so instead I just stuck a clean Q-tip in my mouth as I went. Gently rub the wet Q-tip on the painting cleaning a small area, about 1 square inch, at a time. Do not rub hard, you could dislodge flecks of paint. As each section is clean move on to the next. It will take time but it will work.

Once it is clean you may find there is varnish on the painting. If so I would either leave it alone, or, if you really want it gone, that should be done professionally.

If your painting has any value at all you probably should have it cleaned professionally. Good luck

 

Andrea Cherubini! 1833-1905
Nice find.

 

Good and interesting information. Thanks for that

 

Thanks a lot Marie , I’ll give it a go .

 

Thanks

 

I might give the saliva method a go as well. If anyone has the details on the cleaning chemicals conservators use and is willing to share though, I'm all ears! I've got some nasty, grimy (and inexpensive) paintings. These are so dark and/or yellow they are hardly worth displaying. Still, they aren't worth nearly enough (and may never be) to justify a professional clean.

I'm searching for the following:

-Cleaning agents for removing just the grime layer
-Cleaning agents to remove old varnish
-Reversible conservator's varnish

I suspect that the most appropriate chemical depends on the exact composition of the grime or varnish. If the saliva method fails, I'd rather not resort to a mystery cleaner on Amazon!

 

Ok I’ve tried the spit , not really worked , next I’m trying olive oil soap . I will of course report back my findings.

 

There is a reason that paintings conservators spend at least 2 years in graduate school, followed by supervised apprenticeships. To clean paintings safely, you need to be able to identify the original materials (support, paint medium and pigments, varnish), and their condition; any materials used in previous repairs; and the nature of accumulated dirt and damage. You need to understand the effects of various cleaning agents, how to devise the most appropriate treatment, and how to apply it safely (both for the painting, and for yourself).

It is easy to damage a painting in ways that will not be immediately obvious. If there are minute cracks in the varnish or paint layers, for example, a cleaning solution may seep in and cause lower layers to swell or dissolve, leading to flaking and paint loss in the future. Do you know what the long term effects of any residue of "olive oil soap" would be?

You have been given advice here on the most conservative method of cleaning that should be attempted by an amateur. If you want to potentially destroy the value of a significant painting, then by all means go ahead and experiment. Perhaps you can then move on to operating on your dog based on a few articles on the internet.

 

Possibly a bit rude way in saying it , but you are of course right .

 

Sorry if it came across too harshly. It is a personal sore spot.

 

If you like they painting and it has any value, take it to a professional or leave it alone! JMHO.

 

No problem it was well said , out of respect to not only the age of some of my paintings but also the value, I would never harm one , I am experimenting on an worthless already damaged painting.

 

Hello someone else has jumped in lol , ok Marie

 

For the Master of Art Conservation program at Queens University, these are the entrance requirements:

• Four-year Honours bachelor degree in humanities, sciences or engineering with a minimum B+ average (or equivalent).
• One full-year, post-secondary course in fine art studio or workshop practice (or equivalent).
• Three terms of chemistry at the university level, including at least one term of organic chemistry, all courses preferably with a laboratory component.
• Applicants with an undergraduate degree in the humanities must have a minimum of five full-year courses in art history, ethnology, archaeology, or equivalent.
• Applicants with a science or engineering undergraduate degree must have a minimum of two full year courses in art history, ethnology, archaeology, or equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of work experience as a conservator.

(Frankly, I don't understand that last one. I guess it's for people who don't have any of the other qualifications)

 

Surprisingly I come up short on more than a few of them ( all of them being honest) thanks but I will have to pass on the course .

 

I know these requirements pertain to a Master program, however similar barriers exist in many industries. Texas previously required a course, fee, and exam for eyebrow threading. The state lost the health and safety argument there and the requirements were struck down by the TX supreme court. License requirements primarily and generally serve as barriers to entry to limit competition in a profession.

I'd argue it would be better for the art (not necessarily for professionals already practicing) if details on conservation chemicals are published. That way people with nearly-worthless but horribly-grimy paintings won't have to resort to olive oil soap. Hundreds or thousands of paintings are probably needlessly damaged every year because very few people have access to conservation-related information.

 

This was an entirely well-intentioned amateur effort:

Do you think that giving this person a bucketful of chemicals would have helped?

You might look up some of these:
https://guides.library.queensu.ca/art-conservation/journals

I don't know what you'll find, but if you want to research, it's a starting point.

 

I’m sorry I started this thread , I totally agree with 2manybooks , I love antiques and especially art , I quite often stand with my mouth open at not only the age of some paintings but the skill of the painter , we are only temporary keepers and we must look after them and then pass them on to future generations.

 

Probably wouldn't have made their effort any worse! Lol

Thank you for the link. I will read through some journals and try to learn more. Gary, there are also some cleaners on Amazon that may be worth a shot: Amazon.com: Winsor & Newton Artists' Picture Cleaner, 75ml (3221735)

P.S. I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers or offend anyone here. Whatever you do, good luck with your painting Gary.