I’ve been doing some research on how an artist can repair their own damaged paintings. After a few hours, I finally found a detailed method of repair for flaking and blistering on an oil painted canvas. Here is the information gathered from restoration-advice.org
Flaking and Blistering
When the paint is flaking, blistering or scaling, a condition in which the paint and ground lifts from the canvas, due to the deterioration of the ground (then material used to smooth the canvas before the painting was applied).
The paint then is re-adhered to the painting by strengthening this ground.
This is usually done by impregnating the area with a mixture of Beeswax and Damar resin, known as the Dutch Method.
We recommend the impregnate most canvasses with this mixture as it prevents deterioration of the canvas and the ground, as well as the overall conservation/ preservation of the whole painting.
Beeswax and Damar are molten and mixed together by heating firstly the Damar until dissolved and then slowly adding the Beeswax.
This mixture is applied warm ( 70° -80°C or 160°-175° F).
A mixture such as above doesn’t shrink upon solidifying.
Epoxy is sometimes used in those sort of repairs, as it also is non-shrinking due to the lack of an evaporative vehicle, it (epoxy) solidifies by chemical reaction, however great care should be taken with the use of such materials, as those restorations are non-reversible, and no long term experience is available, while contrary to claims, epoxies do deteriorate.
I personally like to dissolve some of this Beeswax and Damar mixture with some pure turpentine and then flood the flaking area with a brush very carefully so as not to disturb the loose pieces but still let the mixture impregnate the area behind and around the flakes and blisters.
Those flakes can then be re-adhered and flattened with a heated palette knife.
After thorough drying I paste some paper over this section, for protection, then after drying I apply paper over the whole painting, this protects the texture of the painting during the ironing process.
Then after drying I turn the picture over and apply the mixture of Beeswax and Damar warm ( 70° -80°C or 160°-175° F ) on the back, then with an Electric Iron, I iron the area down so as to impregnate the whole picture with this preservative mixture, this flattens and re-adheres the blisters and flakes back against the now impregnated and strengthened ground.
Those with flat heated platen can of course do this by vacuum pressing the painting against those platen, this also allows the painting to maintain its texture.
After cooling I then carefully wash the paper away, the examine the result to determine the further processes needed to complete the restoration.
The reason I prefer this, Dutch Method, is that it is reversible, one can always reheat an area and relocate any pieces of flakes, which are not where one wanted them, something which is impossible if epoxy is used.
I have not yet tried this method. I have a large painting that has been rolled up in storage for several years now and it has some flaking that I’d like to correct. Although the painting is quite large, I don’t consider it an “important” piece of my portfolio, so I’m not so worried about the outcome of the repairing the damage. The only worry that I have, is if the painting will crack or flake again if it is rolled and put in storage.
By the way, I do not sell paintings that have cracks or flakes in them. I’ve only had one painting with this problem and it was due to handling and storage when moving to many different studios over the years. I also don’t recommend for art buyers to repair oil paintings themselves. You should contact the original artist, if possible, and/or a fine art conservator.
I will post an update once I am finished repairing the painting.
-Jessica
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Comments ( 36 )
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Webpage Design Norwich added these pithy words on Dec 26 11 at 8:19 amDigg…
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Flooring added these pithy words on Jan 10 12 at 7:52 amJessica……how on earth do you flatten a dent in an otherwise good painting?….do you just iron it…?
Don
Donald E. Gelder added these pithy words on
Dec 21 07 at
1:01 pm
Jessica…..how on earth do you simply flatten a dent in an otherwise good painting…? Do you just iron it…??
Donald E. Gelder added these pithy words on
Dec 21 07 at
1:02 pm
The best way to get rid of a dent is to spray the backside of the canvas with enough water to saturate it. If it is just a small dent this will usually pull it flat and straight. If it is a much larger dent, then you will have to saturate the backside of the painting and then remove it from the stretchers to restretch the whole painting.
I occasionally will get a small dent in some of my paintings that are placed in storage or when moving to a new studio. I have always just saturated the backside and apply a little pressure on both sides to smooth it out. It has worked well for me.
I’ve also heard of people using rubbing alcohol on the backside of the painting – but have never done so myself. I don’t know if it would damage the painting in the long run.
Good Luck!
Jessica added these pithy words on
Dec 21 07 at
7:12 pm
artisticked added these pithy words on To tighten a painting back to its youth, I’ve had good luck by pouring (hot) water on the back of the canvas for instant results.
Mike Elliott added these pithy words on
Mar 28 08 at
9:25 pm
oh my lord, my favourite oil painting was damaged (huge dents in 2 places) from a book shelf falling on it during construction. So sad. Its a big one at about 5X5. Just tried the hot water pouring method… totally worked. Turned the painting on its front on the floor, poured boiling water on the back of the canvas, let it sit for 30 secs or so, mopped it up with a towel, and within seconds the dents were gone… thanks Mike Elliot…
vicky added these pithy words on
May 05 08 at
8:16 pm
I found a gorgeouus painting with a dent in the canvas at the thrift store. I took a risk and purchased it. I just found your sight 2 minutes ago, tried pouring boiling water on the back of it, and 30 seconds later it was perfect! Thanks so very much for the outstanding tip!
Allison added these pithy words on
May 24 08 at
11:06 am
ummmm….I just have 1quick question I just got this oil print picture and there’s a smudge on it how and what would I use to fix this problem
alicia added these pithy words on
Jul 06 08 at
7:38 pm
Hi,
I left an oil painting in the tool shed and discovered this summer past a dent caused by something like a broom handle leaning into it. I left it there purposing to take it to a framer for repair but one autumn and winter I go back in and the dent has completely disappeared!
Is it possible the damp winter conditions in the shed could have effected a “natural” repair?
Shimei added these pithy words on
Feb 25 09 at
10:13 am
Do you have any suggestions on how to repair several foot long cracks in a oil on canvas painting? The layer of paint is thin. I suspect a problem with the underlying gesso (4 coats, sanded between applications)
Rob Schouten added these pithy words on
Feb 27 09 at
3:40 pm
I just tried hot water on the back of a dented but otherwise beautiful 1940s canvas by Danish artist Arup Jensen. The dent is gone! Thank you.
Hopper added these pithy words on
Feb 28 09 at
9:21 am
Hello, I also am looking for some information on how to repair an oil painting. All I need is to know how to soften the one stored in roll for 20 years. It’s dry and brittle.
Perhaps you know how or where to find this info.
Thanks,
Philior
Philior added these pithy words on
Mar 16 09 at
8:51 pm
Do these tricks work with canvas painted with acrylic? I found a small square dent where I presume some plastic wrap was held, it’s right next to the wooden side bar and is visible no matter how much paint or moulding paste I apply
Carole added these pithy words on
Apr 30 09 at
5:12 am
i purchased a painting online, and it was mailed to me rolled. when i unrolled it, it cracked in multiple places along the entire half of the painting. it measures 26 x 34. will the boiling water on the back technique work to lessen the sight of these cracks? i have tried to get my money back, but i was just given an equally lovely painting in its place for free. but i don’t want to get rid of this current painting as it is beautiful and would like to salvage it. any suggestions?
sonia added these pithy words on
Jun 01 09 at
3:51 pm
What is the mix for the Deutch Method. How much Beeswax and how much Damar Resin?? Is it 90% Beexwax:10% Damar?? or what proportion do you recomend??
G. Lugo added these pithy words on
Jun 16 09 at
8:25 am
how do you repair a small (1X1) tear in a canvas?
grace added these pithy words on
Jun 18 09 at
7:48 pm
I wonder if you can assist me, I have completed a large painting for a friend and had the bad luck of it falling against a sharp corner of a table. It caused 2 small rents from the back of the painting, just on my signature in the corner of the painting. They are not big and not very visible from the front of the painting. Should I use your beeswax/Damar method to repair it from the back or do you have any other advice for me. I am faced with either doing a new painting and ditching this one, but as it is an original, you never can quite replicate it and my friend is most excited about the painting. Help please, Thank you in advance Marianna Koekemoer
Marianna Koekemoer added these pithy words on
Jun 26 09 at
4:52 am
I only work with acrylic with my drawings on paper. So I’m not completely sure. But it does work on a gessoed (acrylic) canvas. I’ve had dents in new gessoed canvas and the hot water on the back technique has worked. So it should work for acrylic. I don’t know if it will if the acrylic is very thick.
It’s a little hard to get rid of dents in the corner because of the stretcher bar being in the way. You can try pouring the water into the corner and rubbing it in with something flat that you can get under the canvas, but be careful not to dent it further. If this doesn’t work, then your only option is to take the canvas off the stretcher, wet the back of the dent and restretch it.
Good Luck!
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Sep 24 09 at
1:16 pm
Your welcome. I’m glad it worked for you.
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Sep 24 09 at
1:17 pm
Yes. The moisture must have caused the dent to straighten out. That’s very interesting that a painting can have been “naturally” repaired due to weather conditions. Usually it’s the opposite. Thanks for sharing!
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Sep 24 09 at
1:19 pm
A tear is difficult to repair. Large tears can cause a canvas to curl or distort, which doesn’t sound like it will happen in your case. Conservators mend a tear with a variety of techniques, it is filled and textured to imitate the original canvas or paint texture. It is still challenging for a conservator to mend the painting and depends on the imagery and texture of the piece. I’d really suggest talking with a conservator about the tear, unless you are an artist and would like to try mending it yourself and don’t mind “adding” to the painting. Good Luck!
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Sep 24 09 at
1:26 pm
Do you mean two “dents” on the canvas? If they are dents, then you can just use the hot water on the back and it will straighten out your canvas. If there are cracks, then you need to use the beeswax/damar method to keep the paint adhered to the surface. If the cracks are still visible, you will need to go in with a fine brush and use paint to fill in the cracks to make it look seamless. If you aren’t able to do this, I’d suggest finding a local artist to do it for you. Good luck
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Sep 24 09 at
1:28 pm
You are probably right. You always have to follow the “fat over lean” rule with oil painting. If the acrylic is applied really heavy and the oil is really thin, it can cause cracks. Also, storage, age, and temperature can cause cracks. I’d suggest the beeswax/damar technique to keep it from flaking off. You will need to go in with a small brush and paint any exposed canvas. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, I’d suggest finding a local artist to do it for you. Good luck!
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Sep 24 09 at
1:34 pm
If it has any dents you will need to apply hot water to the back and let it dry to straighten it out. It needs to be restretched and not rolled back up for storage. I’d suggest the beeswax/damar technique, it will make sure it doesn’t flake. If it is cracked in areas, where the canvas is showing through, you will need to take a small brush and paint in those areas seamlessly. You can then add a final varnish to seal the painting. Good luck!
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Sep 24 09 at
1:36 pm
You will need to wet the back of the painting with hot water and restretch it with new stretcher bars. It makes it easier to go ahead and dampen the canvas before stretching. Make sure there is unpainted (or just gessoed) space around the painting for stretching.
Otherwise, I suggest that you just have it framed without glass. Paintings are never displayed with glass unless at a museum for protection. It is a shame when people enclose a beautiful painting in glass where you cannot see and experience the color and texture up close.
You’ll need to use the beeswax/damar technique to keep the painting from flaking. If the cracks are still visible (with the canvas showing through), you will need to take a small brush and paint in those places. You can then add a finish varnish coat to protect the surface.
If you aren’t comfortable repairing the painting, I’d suggest going online (such as Craigslist) and finding a local artist or art student that could do it for you.
Good luck!
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Sep 24 09 at
1:41 pm
From my research online, I found that the ratio should be 75% Beeswax and 25% Damar.
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Sep 24 09 at
1:43 pm
Hi, I have the opportunity to purchase an internationally renowned artist’s painting. However it has been kept in relatively poor conditions. It is actually a painting on plywood with a white front fascia. There is light water staining in areas, a few very small areas where the white front within the painting has been chipped out leaving areas where the wood is seen through and the wood is fraying around the plywood edges. There are also some mud marks on the painting. These are all quite small but apparent. What is considered the best way to handle such a piece? Should I try and get it restored (can I?) or best to leave it as a historical find with all the trimmings? Any advice appreciated!
R Wallace added these pithy words on
Sep 26 09 at
3:10 pm
There are so many problems with this painting, I’d really suggest talking to a conservator about it. I’m sure they can restore the painting (most of it anyway). I wouldn’t suggest doing this one yourself. It would be a bit complicated, unless you are familiar with restoring artwork. Good luck!
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Sep 26 09 at
3:25 pm
Hi, I was given a painting by a dear friend. However, it has been damage by moisture laying of the canvas. The artist painted the picture with oil paints and thinner only, no medium. The painting has light white streaks where the moisture faded the picture. Can this be repaired?
Any advice appreciated.
Jackie Narragon added these pithy words on
Oct 20 09 at
12:31 pm
I am looking for some assistance to repair a painting that has enamel splatters from a house painter accident. How do I remove the white paint from the painting without damaging it? I tried to contact the artist directly but he is nowhere to be found. HELP!
Paula added these pithy words on
Oct 23 09 at
7:06 pm
I’d recommend having a professional repair your painting. The options would be to chip the enamel off (which will damage the paint underneath), use chemicals to remove it (which will damage the paint underneath) or have the artist paint over the enamel (which might be noticeable depending on the texture, amount of paint splatter, etc). I really wouldn’t recommend tackling this one on your own. Try to find a local conservator or artist (the original artist if possible) to do this for you. Good luck!
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Dec 09 09 at
12:08 am
The artist will have to go back into the painting and repaint those areas to repair it. Try to find the original artist if possible, otherwise you’ll need to find an experienced artist or conservator to repair it. Good luck!
J. M. Culver added these pithy words on
Dec 09 09 at
12:09 am
