Cleaning Oil Paintings
Cleaning of oil painting is to be carried out only when the dust particles accumulate on the oil painting. Do not unnecessarily clean the oil paintings as the colors fade away after each cleaning. Follow perfect method while carrying out the cleaning of oil painting so that the oil paint remains intact and the originality is restored. Cleaning of oil painting is to be carried out under the strict supervision of expert so that the no harm is occurred to the original painting. In case if the painting is not of that importance then follow the given instructions to provide a new look to your oil painting. As it is said that the prevention is better than the cure so try to cover your oil painting with the help of thin plastic sheet or have a varnish coated on your painting. Some times this varnish layer makes your painting dull due to the atmospheric conditions in some of the parts of the world.
Before starting cleaning process check whether your painting needs actual cleaning. If it really requires then apply a small quantity of conservation liquid in remote corner of the canvas and check whether that portion is getting cleaned, if yes, then apply the liquid on the main portion with the help of soft cotton and that too lightly. So that the oil paint does not comes out.
In case if your oil painting has tiny particles or has a thin layer of vapor from burning material then clean the painting surface with the help of silky brush and that too very carefully. Do not rub the painting with the cotton cloth because the tiny threads may accumulate on your precious oil painting and it may spoil the painting instead of cleaning. If the painting has oil spilled over the painting or has sticky substances on it, then try to clean your painting with gentle soap solution mixed with mild water. Use soft polishing cloth that has no fibers. It is better to use after shave lotion or tape head cleaning solution rather than water, because water may degrade the performance of oil painting. But again it is reminded that use soft hand while cleaning the painting with above stated solutions.
Do not try to experiment cleaning with normal eraser other wise you will land up in eradicating your oil painting completely. The other safe method to clean your antique painting piece is to use low-pressure suction pump or blow it with the help of low speed fans. Keep in mind that water is the main enemy of oil; so do not use water at any cost.
Some people use wheat made yeast ball to clean the paintings. It may work for small duration; but it is not the complete and guaranteed final solution for painting cleaning. Because it may deposit tiny particles on painting that will not be seen with naked eyes but may create a problem in further cleaning. A little knowledge is always dangerous; so it is better to have thorough knowledge in cleaning your oil paintings than to repent later on.