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What cleans tobacco off oil paint?
gunnut505
Member Posts: 10,290 ✭
I bought a really nice oil painting by a famous artist at a yard sale yesterday, and when I got it home, I noticed the White is actually a mild yellow from tobacco (I guess) smoke.
Anyone do conservation in their spare time?
What would remove the stains without damaging the original oil paint?
I'd like to restore it to its' original color, but I don't want to remove any oil paint (or add any other paint).
Yeah, I thought about TSP, denatured alcohol, WD 40, and all the really easy-to-find-but-will-probably-ruin-the-painting stuff; I would have tested all of it on another crappy painting first, but I'm looking for someone who knows for certain that it won't affect the painting.
Thanks for the good info all, especially steg.
Anyone do conservation in their spare time?
What would remove the stains without damaging the original oil paint?
I'd like to restore it to its' original color, but I don't want to remove any oil paint (or add any other paint).
Yeah, I thought about TSP, denatured alcohol, WD 40, and all the really easy-to-find-but-will-probably-ruin-the-painting stuff; I would have tested all of it on another crappy painting first, but I'm looking for someone who knows for certain that it won't affect the painting.
Thanks for the good info all, especially steg.
Comments
Its tedious and takes a long time depending on the size of the painting. They let me try it but I kept using the same Q tip..tasted terrible.
It would be like having an original Winchester at 99% condition valued at $ 100,000 and you cleaned it. Next morning you look again and all blueing and case coloring are gone. New value $ 1000.00
As for "testing" things on other paintings, that does NOT mean the chemical will work on the one you are trying to clean.
Leave it alone or have a professional do it.
W.D.
TSP (trisodium phosphate) is traditionally used in building restoration work for cleaning smoke-damaged painted surfaces, but -- particularly if this has any value -- you'll want to check with art/painting experts before trying it on what you have!
I am the retired Artist Technical Consultant for M. Grumbacher, Inc., and am an expert in the materials of the artist and Art Conservators.
I strongly suggest that you find an Art Conservator (Painting Restorer) in your area and get him/her to look at your painting and give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to restore it.
Before you do that, I suggest you go to your Public Library and look up this book in the Reference Section: "The Artist's Handbook" Fourth Edition by Ralph Mayer. There is a section about the restoration of oil paintings. It is listed in the book's index.
Above all, with the exception of those who recommended that you seek out a professional restorer, do not pay any attention to the advice
given prior to mine. If you try any of these thing, such as using chemicals of any kind on the surface of your painting, you will irreparably damage and ruin your painting!