The product Andrew describes is called "Mod Podge." 

Elizabeth Mueller
Wasco, IL

---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:44:19 -0600
>From: Andrew Dunehoo <[log in to unmask]>  
>Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Painting Conservation  
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>Melanie,
>
>     I have often found in working with acrylics that a substance called Hodge Podge (no kidding, that's the name) is used specifically for that purpose.  It can be found in Wal-Mart, in the crafting section, near the acrylic paints.  It's a white bottle with a yellow, orange and bright pink label.  It comes in Matte and Gloss finishes.  I've used both.  It goes on just like paint as a white gooey substance but then dries clear.  In artwork it's used to seal and protect acrylic work.  That would be my reccomendation.
>
>Andrew Dunehoo
>Fort Morgan, CO
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Melanie LaBorwit
>Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 12:15 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Painting Conservation
>
>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
>>
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