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Question asked 2018-05-13 01:14:12 ...
Most recent comment 2018-05-31 23:16:13
Art Conservation Topics
Oil Paint
Solvents and Thinners
I was curious if using amylase powder - available in large amounts, as people use it to convert starch to sugar - can be used to create a more effective cleaning solution for a large area, rather than having to drink water and spit all over an oilpainting's surface?
Amylase powder it's suposedly the key enzyme in spit that cleans things, so I figured why not create a large batch for a giant surface, rather than having to worry about what I eat or stay hydrated? "cause sometimes I just want to eat garlic y'know?
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Moderator Answer
(kdeghetal)
Are you attempting to use amylase powder on one of your own paintings?
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Moderator Answer
(kdeghetal)
Well my first suggestion would be to take a trip to your local library to read up on the cleaning of oil paintings a bit....specifically look into "The Conservation of Easel Paintings" (eds. Joyce Hill Stoner and Rebecca Rushfield). I say you can certainly try out what you want on your own paintings to see what "works"....but keep in mind you would likely be dealing with relatively young films and obviously the appropriate cleaning solution would depend on WHAT type of oils you are using as well as the specific pigments involved....so yes, it gets complicated. But heck....that is why paintings conservators now have to go through grad school these days (AFTER taking TWO semesters of Organic Chemistry!!).
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