How to Clean Varnish From Canvas Paintings
Art restoration experts Cher Goodson and James Hamm offer a good deal of cautionary advice on varnish removal. Hamm advises against removing varnish on "young" paintings---those that are less than a century old. The paint on a work that is only 15 years old, he explains, may not be hard enough to resist varnish solvent, and there is a danger that the paint may be inadvertently removed during the process. Professional conservators may sometimes use close to a hundred different solvents to remove paint, but the expense involved in professional restoration may not be within your scope or budget. Removing the varnish yourself will save you money, as long as you don't damage the painting in the process.
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Instructions
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Instructions
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Choose a varnish remover or solvent that will work best for the type of painting you are working with. Visit an art or hobby store with a wide selection of materials. Considerations such as the age of the painting and the type of varnish on the work will affect the type of solvent you select.
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Work on a canvas that is not encased within a frame, if possible. Place a piece of wax paper beneath the canvas to protect the back. Lay the canvas down on a flat surface, such as a table, that is free from dirt and debris.
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Pour the solvent into a small container---you will not need much to start with. Dab a cotton swab in the solvent, and drain any excess solvent from the tip by pressing it against the inside of the working container. The swab should be damp, but not soaked; you do not want the solvent to pool or collect on the painting's surface.
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Gently brush the cotton swab over a 1-inch-square portion of the surface, beginning at an outer corner. Check the swab frequently to ensure that no paint is being removed. If you see paint color lifting, stop immediately and consult a professional conservator. Otherwise, continue working in areas of 1 inch at a time. Use a fresh cotton swab when the one you are working with becomes yellowed.
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Work on the varnish over a single color at a time; for example, do not switch back and forth between a tree and a barn. This will make it easier to note whether any color is being lifted. Be patient; work slowly and methodically during the removal process. Do not be surprised if it takes a period of several days or weeks to fully remove the varnish.
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If the painting has become tacky or sticky from the removal process, allow it to air dry completely. Depending on the type of solvent used and the reaction of the paint, it can take hours or days to fully dry. When it has dried, apply a fresh coat of varnish.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove varnish that has yellowed with age, or has become distorted because of heat exposure. When choosing varnish for re-application, be aware that there are natural and synthetic varnishes available, and all have different properties and react in various ways to aging. Visit Golden Artist Colors for more information (see Resources).
If you notice that paint is being lifted during varnish removal, cease work and seek expert advice. The paint may not have hardened sufficiently to endure the process. Make sure your work environment has adequate ventilation and is free of dust and dander.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer - public domain
