How to Protect an Oil Painting
Oil paintings can last many for many generations, but only if they're carefully preserved. You must take special care to protect oil paintings from dust, scratches, humidity and other harmful factors. Here's how to protect an oil painting.
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Instructions
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Coat the surface of the painting with a layer of varnish to preserve it. This should only be done by the artist after the painting has thoroughly dried (about one year on average), or with the assistance of a knowledgeable conservator.
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Hang oil paintings in places where they will not be knocked over or scratched. Make sure there is no possibility of water dripping onto it. Avoid placing oil paintings near windows, fireplaces, radiators, heaters and a/c vents.
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Remove dust from the surface of an oil painting with a soft brush (goat hair brushes from the craft store work well) or a pure white cloth. Don't use feather dusters or sheepskin dusters, which can catch on the surface texture of the paint and damage the painting.
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Protect your oil paintings while moving. During the move, place them in a safe location, such as a closet, where they won't be bumped. You also can move them into your new home first. When your paintings aren't hanging, rest them, painted side out, against a wall with a padded surface beneath them. Do not cover paintings with plastic no matter where you store them. They need air circulation to prevent moisture buildup.
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Never place oil paintings in the kitchen or bathroom. The changing levels of humidity will cause damage including mold and/or mildew. Do not allow people to smoke in rooms where valuable paintings are kept.
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Wash your hands whenever handling an oil painting; oils from your hands can damage the surface.
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Tips & Warnings
Never spray any kind of cleaner on an oil painting. Cleanings should only be done by professional conservators.
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Comments
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robertsloan2
Oct 03, 2007
Excellent article on preserving oil paintings. I'm glad you're making this information available to collectors -- it surprises them when I tell them I need to hold on to the painting for a year before its final varnish coat if I do one on commission. -
robertsloan2
Oct 03, 2007
Excellent article on preserving oil paintings. I'm glad you're making this information available to collectors -- it surprises them when I tell them I need to hold on to the painting for a year before its final varnish coat if I do one on commission.
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PrinceEric
Sep 25, 2007
I have some oil paintings in my grandma's Texas mansion that are of my ancesters and while most are from the 18th century, some go back the 1500's, I always hear that they should never be placed by windws, this gives me some questions as to where one should hang them. A couple are on a wall oposite a large window in my bedroom and light from the arc on the top of the window does hit them directly, but they don't seem faded, they have hung there since around 1950, but still should they be moved? I also would like to know if its okay to place lamps next to and below oil paintings, because lamps light the house most of the evening and night, and all lamps are located against walls with paintings. I also would like to know if cleaning oil paintings will take away their value
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PrinceEric
Sep 25, 2007
I have some oil paintings in my grandma's Texas mansion that are of my ancesters and while most are from the 18th century, some go back the 1500's, I always hear that they should never be placed by windws, this gives me some questions as to where one should hang them. A couple are on a wall oposite a large window in my bedroom and light from the arc on the top of the window does hit them directly, but they don't seem faded, they have hung there since around 1950, but still should they be moved? I also would like to know if its okay to place lamps next to and below oil paintings, because lamps light the house most of the evening and night, and all lamps are located against walls with paintings. I also would like to know if cleaning oil paintings will take away their value
