How to clean oil paints: some tips and tricks

The first step in cleaning an oil painting is to remove the painting from its frame. Make sure the frame is on a soft surface to avoid damage. Once the frame is off, use a vacuum to clean out any crevices where the paint meets the wood frame. Be careful not to chip the paint.

The next step is to remove the mold. Using a cotton ball and sodium hydrochloride cleaner, gently rub the affected spot on the paint. Before you continue, check the cotton ball to make sure the paint doesn’t come off. Once the area is clean, immediately wipe the area clean with a damp sponge. Be sure to remove all of the cleaning agent.

To clean a small amount of dirt and grime, use a halved onion. The potency can be increased by adding lemon drops. Do not allow the lemon-onion mixture to dry on the paint. Clean with a damp sponge. If the dirt still remains, move on to cleaning with a lemon detergent. A soft sponge with lukewarm water should be used. Use the least amount of water possible. After cleaning, wipe off all the detergent.

For a higher level of dirt and grime, use baking soda. The concentration will need to be determined before using the solution on the entire canvas. The way to do this is by dissolving a small amount of sodium carbonate in warm water, then test the mixture on a corner of the sore with a cotton ball. Continue this process until the mixture removes the grime without stripping the paint. After cleaning, rinse off the soda with fresh water or it will leave white streaks.

If the paint is so dirty that the above methods don’t work, the next step is to remove the varnish. What is needed to remove the varnish is methylated spirits, turpentine diluted with linseed oil, and several cotton balls. Use the cotton ball covered with methylated spirits to remove the varnish. It is important not to go deep, remove only the varnish, and not the paint below. The method used to protect the paint underneath is after removing the varnish, use a fresh cotton ball coated with the linseed oil and turpentine mixture to stop the methylated spirits. Continually check the cotton ball to make sure the paint isn’t coming off. If the paint starts to come off, use the linseed oil and turpentine mixture to stop it.

After cleaning the paint it is necessary to re-varnish the paint. The varnish can be glossy or matte and should be applied in a crisscross pattern with a varnish brush. Let dry.