Understanding the causes is the first step towards effective. Flaking occurs when the paint layers lose their adhesion to the canvas or panel support below. This is often due to fluctuations in relative humidity and temperature, which cause the canvas, ground, and paint layers to expand and contract at different rates.
Over time, this constant movement creates stress, leading to cracks and eventually, the loss of irreplaceable paint. Another contributing factor can be the inherent vice of the materials themselves, where poor quality primers or canvases can fail over time.
The Process of Flaking Paint Repair on Oil Painting
When addressing flaking paint, a conservator’s first action is to stabilise the affected areas. This process is called consolidation. A carefully chosen, stable conservation-grade adhesive is delicately introduced into the cracks and beneath the lifting paint flakes using a fine brush. Gentle, controlled heat and pressure are then applied, often with specialised heated spatulas, to encourage the paint to relax back into place and re-adhere to the support.
This is a highly delicate procedure that requires immense precision to avoid causing any further damage to the fragile paint surface. The goal is to secure the original paint and prevent any future losses without altering the artwork’s texture or appearance.
For more complex cases, such as those handled during professional Oil painting restoration in London, the structural integrity of the entire painting may need to be addressed. If the canvas has become brittle or lost its tension, it might not provide adequate support for the paint layers, exacerbating the flaking. In such situations, a process known as lining or re-lining may be necessary to reinforce the original canvas and provide a stable foundation.
Once the paint layer is fully stabilised, the conservator can address any aesthetic issues. This may involve filling any losses with a flexible, inert material and then retouching these small areas with stable, reversible pigments.
The approach to flaking paint repair on oil painting is always one of minimal intervention, preserving as much of the original artwork as possible. Seeking professional advice for issues like flaking is essential, as prompt and correct treatment, such as that offered in specialist oil painting restoration in London, can prevent minor issues from becoming significant, permanent losses.
