Re: removing shellac from old oil paintings

In Reply to: Re: removing shellac from old oil paintings posted by barbara on 06/11/00 at 9:22 AM:

With shellac based paint underneath, you have your work cut out for you. There is a way. The traditional restorer's nostrum is made by mixing ammonia into copaiba balsam.

The ammonia is added drop by drop as you stir it into the copaiba balsam. You'll need to shake it on occasion as you use it. By rolling a dampened swab onto the surface, you'll get a feeling for how long you'll need to let it sit before it softens that top layer. After that, use cotton wads (you must use 100% cotton becuase the synthetic makeup pads will scratch the surface). Lay it down, let it sit and then gently pick it up.

Copaiba balsam has the added effect of reinvigorating the paint and making it a bit more flexible. If you need any, go to: http://studioproducts.com/catalog/balsams/copiaba.html

It's cheap enough and it does the job.

 
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