When trying to maintain the quality of painting, it is important to know what is causing the damage and dirt accumulation. Unless you have experience and knowledge of such, then it is better to contact the pros to perform the cleaning. After all, the most effective step of maintaining a clean and quality painting over time is prevention. It is a lot simpler to protect the piece of art from any damage and dirt than cleaning it.
If you’re the original artist, you may consider applying a coat of varnish to be able to protect your artwork from dust. During the application, see to it that there’s no dust trapped on the piece or in the air. The last thing you want to happen is sealing these unwanted particles inside your painting. This is actually a double purpose because aside from protecting your painting from dust, it reduces the surface from roughness while increasing color saturation.
Maintenance of Artwork at Home or in Studio
Improper display and storage of painting are the common cause of soiling and damage among artwork. Majority of the paintings are actually light sensitive. Therefore, you must be mindful of the placement in your studio or house.
Oil painting in particular is more vulnerable to damage from high humidity and extreme temperatures. You have to take this into account if you have plans of storing it in the attic or basement – use dehumidifier or humidifier to prevent unwanted effects in the long run.
Protecting and Cleaning Painting throughout the Years
Among the typical methods for painting to be dirty, discolored or damaged comes from natural aging. Though there are certain steps that can be used in order to limit the damage it brings such as proper storage and the use of varnish. On the other hand, as time goes by, there are natural damage that will be inevitable. Signs of aging artwork includes but not limited to:
- Flaking paint
- Discoloration
- Cracks
- Warping
In regards to this matter, a regular cleaning company would not be enough for the service. Instead, it is preferable to contact a professional restorer.