This was exactly my feeling too, that's why I've not entertained cleaning them before. But with the new exhibit coming up, I thought I'd ask. I'm more than happy to leave them as they are.

Amber

On Wed, Aug 30, 2023, 6:18 AM C. Müller-Straten <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi Amber,

as publishers of the European standard publication on cleaning of artworks*, I absolutely agree with Mark Janzen. His words would also fit properly to the cleaning of oil paintings.

  • First of all: Each artwork is different. They are not all made the same way.
  • For paintings made with acryl colors, historically a relatively new method, cleaning is even more complicated than the cleaning of oils or temperas.
  • Many artists were also mixing acrylic colors with oil colors (rests)! You may not have realized that, you trust in the term "acryl" - maybe the artist does not remember... But this makes a big difference.
  • Varnish on acrylic paint is separate problem.

This is definitely a case for specialists, i.e. conservators with experience in acrylic paintings.

* MORE here: https://www.shop-museumaktuell.de/shop/Eipper-P-B-Hg-Handbuch-der-Oberflachenreinigung-7-Auflage-p507996639

Note: English summaries. If you trust translation robots, you may feed the robots with our Germany texts.


Am 29.08.2023 um 23:19 schrieb Mark Janzen:
Hi Amber,

The best answer is no. Anything we do without proper training, proper materials, etc. is far more likely to cause permanent harm than good. There is nothing we non-conservators can do about the inherent vice of the smoke, dust, and varnish already on them.

If they are in a good stable and protected situation, then your only ethical recourse is to wait to find funding to get them cleaned and stabilized professionally. The internet and anyone who says there is another solution is lying to you.

That funding exists, but can take some time to find. In the meantime, just keep them from further environmental and physical harm. 

There are many people listening right now who will help you with both tasks.

Mark Janzen

On Tue, Aug 29, 2023 at 4:18 PM Amber Clifford <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
All-

First, I am not a painting conservator.  Paintings are not my specialty. Please speak to me as a layman.

I have four panels (3 are 3x5, 1 is 12 x 4) of acrylic painting on what appears to be pine 1x6 boards.  The panels are collectively a mural. They were on the wall in a bar for more than 75 years, and are of tremendous local significance.

The murals are covered in a combination of decaying varnish, cigarette smoke residue, and who knows what else.  I am hoping to clean some of this residue off the murals.

There is no flaking, paint loss, etc, that I can locate. It is as stable as it can be given its history.

Is there something I can do, as a museum professional but a paintings amateur, to clean these panels up a bit?  If not, understandable. Just wondering.

Please privately email so we don't overrun the list.

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