Friday, July 1, 2011

Cleaning Tips For An Abstract Canvas

It doesn't matter if your abstract canvas is expensive or not, you should still take care of your painting properly. You bought your artwork because the image on the canvas meant something to you or you connected with the artwork somehow. You can continue to enjoy viewing your painting for a long time if you take care of it well and clean it every so often.

Cleaning Solutions And Equipment

Cleaning oil paintings is a risky task. If done incorrectly, you risk ruining an expensive piece of artwork that may not be restored again. It is important to use the proper cleaning solutions and cleaning equipment to ensure the safety of your abstract canvas.

Some things you will need to get an oil painting cleaned are varnish remover, emulsion solution, varnish, Q-tips and cotton swabs, a neutralizer and gloves to protect your hands from chemicals.

The neutralizer stops another chemical's effects in case painting reacts negatively to a chemical. The emulsion cleaner gets dirt off the surface. The varnish remover will strip off old varnish that may have discolored already.

How To Clean Oil Abstract Paintings

Begin cleaning your painting in one corner and clean off only a small portion. Wait a few minutes to see if there are any negative effects on the abstract canvas. If there are none, continue using the emulsion or varnish remover to clean your painting.

Don't forget to do your cleaning in a well-ventilated your home to let toxic odor and chemicals escape from your vicinity. Use the gloves to protect your hands too. Another thing to remember is to prevent damage or dents on the canvas by gently applying the cleaning agent. Never push the Q-tips too hard or scrub the cotton swab on the surface.

Another technique to remember is to roll the Q-tips along the painting's surface. Don't rub the canvas up and down to get dirt out. The old varnish or dirt should attach itself to the cotton without scrubbing the surface. Check your Q-tips for paint transfer. If there is paint transferring to the cotton, stop the cleaning process immediately and refer the project to a professional.

Clean small areas at a time so you can monitor the cleaning process slowly. This prevents large-scale damage to you abstract canvas in case you use the wrong cleaning techniques. Not all oil paintings react the same way to cleaning solutions.

After getting the whole canvas cleaned, wait fr the surface to dry and then apply a coat of varnish. The new varnish will add sheen and protect the artwork from damage.

Maintenance Tips For Your Abstract Canvas

To prevent damage to a painting, keep the artwork hung on a wall if you can. This gets the artwork out of harm's way. Hang the painting away from heat and direct sunlight that can cause fading and deterioration to the canvas.

Humid environments should likewise be avoided. Too much moisture can cause molds to grow on your artwork. Check the back of your canvas every now and then for molds growing behind the front panel.

If you find dents on your painting's surface, wet the dented portion with a moist clean rag dipped in water and allow it to dry naturally. The canvas will stretch as it dries making the dent disappear.

If properly cared for, your abstract canvas can last many years, even decades. Oil paintings are also known to last centuries. You can make your canvas wall art last long enough for your children to enjoy and use them in their own homes.

Find a wide collection of canvas wall art at EverythingWallArt.com and discoverer countless choices of wall art, in different painting styles.


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