How to Remove Yellowed Varnish From a Painting
Artists typically protect the their oil paintings by applying a coat of varnish to the surface of the painting. In addition to protecting the canvas, the varnish enhances the colors of the paint. However, over time the varnish may turn a yellowish color because of aging and exposure to pollutants in the environment. In addition to yellowed varnish, paintings accumulate dust, dirt and other forms of grime. Cleaning an oil painting is a time consuming process and, if done improperly, runs the risk of damaging the painting.
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Things You'll Need
- Lint-free cloth
- Neutralizer
- Cotton wool
- Varnish remover
- Cotton swabs
- Container
Instructions
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Lay the painting on a flat surface. Wipe the surface of the painting with a lint-free cloth to remove loose dirt and dust. Avoid scrubbing or applying pressure to the canvas.
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Clean the surface dirt and grime with a neutralizer product. Neutralizers are available at art supply stores. Apply the neutralizer to a piece of cotton wool. Gently wipe the surface of the painting with the cotton to remove the surface dirt. Replace the cotton wool with a fresh clean piece if the cotton becomes saturated with dirt.
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Pour a small amount of varnish remover into a container. Varnish removers are available at art supply stores or online at sites such as blhaymondsupply.com. Dip a cotton swab into the container. Work on a 2 inch area of the painting at a time to remove the yellowed varnish. Avoid scrubbing the surface of the painting. Use a rolling motion with the cotton swab to remove the varnish. Rotate the swab over the 2 inch area. Inspect the swab to make sure it only has dirt and varnish and not paint on it. Don't dip the dirty swab into the container. Replace the swab with a clean one. Continue the process until the yellowed varnish has been completely removed from the oil painting.
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Tips & Warnings
Work in a well ventilated area while you are cleaning the painting.
Wear surgical gloves to protect the painting as you work on it.
Place a piece of linoleum under the part of the painting that you are cleaning. The linoleum provides extra support for the canvas which reduces the risk of damaging the canvas as you are cleaning it.
It is a good idea to apply a new coat of varnish to the painting after completing the cleaning process. The new varnish enhances the colors and protects the surface of the painting.
If the old painting is valuable, it is a good idea to have the yellowed varnish removed by a professional art restorer.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
