Varnish reduction or elimination systems

Eliminating a varnish is a complex operation within the process of restoration. This procedure should be preceded by an exact knowledge of the materials that are present in the coating as well as in the actual painting technique. Moreover the restorer should have a complete grasp about adequate cleaning systems and their possible effects on the conservation of the painting materials.

As an alternative system for the varnish elimination we suggest the study of samples for the election of solvents, proposed by R. Feller, R. Wolbers and P. Cremonesi, as well as the recommendation made by the IRPA.

Finally we propose a protocol of execution in which we include all those cleaning systems, giving a lot of importance to the characteristics of the coating materials as well as the composition and properties of the paint layer on which they are applied.