On a similar subject- is there any kind of substance which is used to make acrylic paintings which are starting to crackle re-adhere to the substrate/canvas? Obviously , they are not going to soften with either turpentine or linseed oil derivatives, but I was wondering whether there is something which is customarily used for acrylics. Melanie LaBorwit Albuquerque, NM -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Harvey Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2007 11:43 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Painting Conservation Sarah, As a conservator I can tell you that it is often best that nothing is done rather than a "restorative" cleaning and treatment that will often present much more serious issues for the work of art or the object in future years. I looked up "Salamander Oil" on CAMEO at the MFA Boston site and found this entry: http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/record.asp?key=2170&subkey=8161&Search=Se arch&MaterialName=Salamander+Oil&submit.x=0&submit.y=0 The description says that Salamander oil contains 60% turpentine and natural resins and oils. Oiling antiques, historic objects, and art works may indeed make them look better initially, because the oil saturates the surface and makes it "look" new. Many people often use oils to "feed" old wood. Well, organic oils over time, chemically cross link and polarmerize and form films that darken and can go black and glossy that can be very difficult to remove (I am in the middle of one such problem treatment right now from years of the use of linseed oil). Often restorers use these sort of materials because they get quick results and they can apply them universally without taking the actual condition of the piece into consideration. A conservator bases treatment on a careful examination and evaluation of the materials involved. I always tell people that if the art or object is something you do not care about, that has a life span of a decade or two, and what you want is a cheap fix and that the object is seen as disposable, then go ahead with the cheap remedy. If the object or art is important to you, has an intrinsic family, heirloom, historic, or artistic value and you want to preserve it, then leave it alone until a competant specialist can examine it and offer advice on its cleaning and care. Cheers! Dave David Harvey Conservator, Los, Angeles, California On 8/12/07, Sarah Wood-Clark <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hello All, > > I have what may be a dumb question, but here goes...a friend has a > couple of nice aging oil paintings (early-mid this century) that need > some attention (cleaning and inpainting), she lives in a rural area > and does not have access geographically or budget-wise to painting > conservators and has turned them over to someone who has promised to > go over them with Salamander Oil and varnish them. I don't know what > varnish, and I seem to remember earlier in my career equating > salamander oil with snake oil or worse. What does this stuff > actually do? Will it harm the painting? > > Oh, thank you in advance. > > Sarah > > ========================================================= > Important Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).