Perhaps you have found a beautiful oil painting, but it's old and in need of some deep cleaning. From surface dirt to varnish, there are different ways to clean your painting until it shines so that you can hang it in your home, or sell it for much more than you would receive for a dirty painting.
Instructions
1. Lay the painting with the back side facing up on a table with something soft like foam underneath it to protect the frame. Vacuum dirt and dust from the frame and painting. Use a pair of pliers to gently pry loose the nails until you can remove the painting from its frame without damaging either one.
2. Remove dirt from the painting by rubbing a chunk of doughy bread over the surface of the painting. While this is not considered a "professional" method, it has been known to work wonders in dirt removal. Be gentle and occasionally get a new chunk of bread. Brush away bread crumbs with a soft-bristled brush. Alternately, half an onion can be rubbed over the painting. Cut pieces off as they get dirty, and afterward go back over with a damp sponge.
3. Re-varnish the painting if the varnish, the clear coat that protects dirt from touching the paint directly, seems thin. Use a varnishing paintbrush and work with criss-crossing strokes from top to bottom. Work inside in a clean environment, and allow plenty of time to dry before returning to the old frame, or transferring into a new frame.
