How to Remove Cigarette Tar From an Oil Painting

Cigarette tar can build up on oil paintings.

Cigarette tar leaves a dull, yellowish tint on anything it is exposed to. It can change a painting into a ghost of its former self. You can bring back that lively brightness by gently removing the tar with emulsion. It's actually a two-part method that involves applying emulsion and then neutralizer in sequence to stop the cleaning from going any deeper.

Things You'll Need

• Plywood square, 1/2-by-6-by-6 inches
• Cotton balls
• Neutralizer
• 6-inch wooden cotton swabs
• Emulsion

Instructions

1. Place the painting face up on a worktable. Place the plywood square under the corner of the painting where you wish to start cleaning. The plywood should only be under the canvas, not the frame. When you push down on the canvas, the plywood should provide support so the canvas doesn't stretch.

2. Dampen a cotton ball with neutralizer. Wipe the painting in the corner with the neutralizer to remove any surface dust, grit or debris.

3. Dampen a cotton swab with emulsion. Gently roll the swab over the painting in the corner where you applied the emulsion. Immediately dampen a swab with neutralizer and roll over the area with it to stop the emulsion. Examine the painting. If you can't see that any tobacco stain has been removed, repeat the applications until the corner begins to brighten.

4. Move systematically over the painting, cleaning 3-inch squares at a time until you have completely cleaned the entire painting.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't get the painting clean with emulsion, try using varnish remover just as you did with the emulsion. You can purchase both products at any hobby shop.

• Depending on the frame, you may have to stack two plywood squares under the canvas to equal the frame height on the back, or you may even have to use a thinner square. Try Formica or even stiff cardboard.

• Wear rubber gloves if you're sensitive to cleaning products. Clean paintings in well-ventilated rooms. Set up fans if you are sensitive to fumes.

References

• Angel Art House: How to Clean Oil Paintings
• Gainsborough Products, LLC: Cleaning an Old Oil Painting