How to Remove the Shine From Shiny Oil Paint
Shiny oil paint can make a painting look like it has more colors than it actually does. The shiny surface causes reflections on the painting, making it more difficult to observe. Unlike regular house oil paint, you cannot sand or rub oil paintings to dull the shininess of the paint. A varnish with a matte or satin finish works best to change the sheen of the painting without adversely affecting the painting itself.
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Things You'll Need
- Feather duster
- Loaf of bread
- Fast-drying matte varnish, aerosol (smooth paintings)
- Books
- Wooden board
- Hog or bristle paintbrush (textured paintings)
- Liquid varnish
Instructions
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Dust the painting with a feather duster and then pull the center out of a loaf of bread, roll it into a ball and roll the bread ball over the surface of the painting to gather the dust.
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Hold a can of fast-drying matte picture varnish 15-inches away from the painting and off to one side. Don't depress the spray nozzle while the spray can is directly over the painting or this will cause pooling. Depress the spray nozzle while moving the can back and forth across the painting from side to side and then from top to bottom.
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Set a stack of books up on each side of the painting and lay a board on the books. This board will keep dust from settling down on the freshly varnished painting.
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Tips & Warnings
Applying the varnish in two different directions ensures proper coverage.
Apply varnish when room temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit
For textured paintings, apply the picture varnish with a hog or bristle paintbrush. The bristles of the brush ensure varnish gets in the uneven surface areas.
Wait six to 12 months for a thick-painted painting to dry before applying the picture varnish, and three months for a thin painted-painting. If you don't wait for the painting to dry before applying the varnish, it will cause spottiness on the painting.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
