Discovering your canvas painting has suffered damage or deterioration can be discouraging. It may be a result of a disaster on your property, vandalism, improper storage, or an accident. Whatever the cause and however valuable the piece, you may be worried the canvas is ruined.
Restore a painted work in 4 steps
The condition of painted works varies greatly from one to another. Here’s a complete guide which will allow you to work on any kind of restoration. Learn to return colors to their original brilliance.
This step is indispensable, before any other treatment.
Dust the back and the stretcher with a feather duster, a hog bristle brush or a goat hair brush.
If the paint layer is in good shape, clean it with another brush.
Clean
Remove the grease: with just water or with diluted ammonium citrate, remove the grime staining the varnish of a painting. This technique also suits unvarnished works, if you first test the reaction of the pigments, beginning with the dark colors and finishing with the greens and reds, which are very fragile.
Lighten the varnish: to remove one or more yellowed layers, using cotton soaked in solvent (for example, isopropanol). This is delicate work, requiring frequent checks with a UV lamp (which reveals the thickness of the varnish with a green glow).
A good idea: Remove the grease in sections
Mark the painting, with chalk, into square sections about 10 cm x 10 cm.
Put a wood block (the same thickness as the stretcher) under the first section.
Rub with a craft stick, wrapped in moist cotton, which allows you to work on larger surfaces than a cotton swab. The latter should be reserved for the details.
Blot with paper towels before moving to the next section.
If the cotton remains clean, use a 2 to 5% diluted solution of ammonium citrate in water.
Scrub the thick areas with craft sticks or a toothbrush. Dry your work frequently, stop and return to it later.
How to Restore a Torn Canvas
A canvas tear may be small and clean, or large and jagged. Some tears go horizontally and vertically, requiring professional restoration. For any tear, it’s important to follow restoration methods that are as noninvasive as possible, so the piece of work retains its integrity and original beauty.
Because canvas is made of individual fibers, a tear often pulls them apart and leaves a rough edge of fibers behind. For a DIY approach, you can patch the canvas on the backside of the painting using another piece of canvas slightly larger than the tear itself and secure with acid-free glue. The most challenging aspect of this approach is getting the fibers to lie flat.
An experienced restoration professional will be able to line up the fibers and edges to create a seamless look. The experts at Prism Specialties have repaired countless canvas tears, fire or water damage, and other types of accidents or wear, returning them to their pre-damage condition.
How to Restore a Faded Canvas
Because faded paint on a canvas is permanent, it can be difficult to restore the painting to an original-looking condition. With time, both sun exposure and fluorescent indoor lighting can lead to fading, which can leave art owners wishing they could bring the worn painting back to life.
A protective coating on most canvas prints makes it challenging to cover with a new paint job. So what can you do to restore a faded canvas and hang it proudly on your wall once again?
For best results, choose a professional service like Prism Specialties to make your canvas look like new. Letting the experts handle the task will ensure you don’t make matters worse and allows you to reclaim the painting’s original beauty. Prism Specialties brings 25 years of experience to faded canvas restoration. Our white-glove treatment means you can expect that your canvas will once again be as beautiful as before.
Trust Prism Specialties to Restore Paintings on Canvas
From mold removal and soot removal to canvas repair and framing, the experts at Prism Specialties can help you to clean and restore your painted canvas. While DIY strategies may sometimes work, if you are concerned about damaging your canvas during the process, the safest option is to turn to the trusted pros for comprehensive art restoration services.
The master restorers at Prism Specialties have extensive training and use proprietary products to clean and repair your canvas, or your entire art collection. Call our home office at 888-826-9429 or schedule service online to get started today.
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