Practical Ways to Handle Flaking Paint Repair on Oil Painting

Flaking paint on an oil painting can be alarming for any collector. When it comes to flaking paint repair on oil painting artworks, understanding why the paint is peeling and how professionals fix it is crucial. Flaking occurs when the paint layer lifts or peels away from the canvas, often dropping tiny fragments.

It’s a common issue in ageing artworks and can worsen over time if left untreated. Fortunately, conservators have developed effective methods to stabilise flaking paint and preserve the original beauty of the painting.

Assessing and Stabilising Flaking Paint

Flaking paint repair on oil paintings is a delicate, meticulous process. Professional conservators start by examining the painting’s condition under magnification and identifying the causes of flaking.

For example, a painting flaking due to damp conditions might first need gentle drying and environmental control. In contrast, one flaking from a weak canvas might require support reinforcement. Below are typical steps in the repair process:

• Secure the loose flakes: Any barely attached paint chips are temporarily secured. Conservators might lay a protective tissue over extremely fragile areas (a process called facing) to hold them in place during treatment.

• Stabilise the support: The canvas or panel is stabilised so as not to move or stress the paint further. For instance, a dented canvas may be humidified and flattened, or a weakened canvas might be lined with a new backing for support​.

• Apply special adhesives under the flakes: Using precision tools and often working under a microscope, the conservator injects or brushes a conservation-grade adhesive beneath each lifted paint fragment​. The choice of adhesive depends on the painting’s materials. Common options include BEVA 371 (a heat-activated resin) or fish/gelatin glue, selected to be gentle on the original paint and reversible in the future.

• Reattach the paint with heat or pressure: Once the adhesive is in place, gentle heat or pressure is applied to set the flake back down. For example, a conservator may use a heated spatula or hot air tool to activate BEVA adhesive and press the flake into position without disturbing the surrounding paint​. Each flake is treated one by one, a slow and painstaking effort​. After many hours, all lifting areas will be re-adhered firmly to the canvas.

• Fill losses and retouch: If any tiny paint chips are lost or gaps remain, those losses are filled with a neutral filler and then touched with conservation paints to match the surrounding colours​. This inpainting is done only on missing areas, never over the original paint, and uses stable, reversible pigments. Finally, a protective varnish might be applied to unify and shield the surface, completing the restoration.

Art conservation services in London and other cultural hubs often handle a wide range of cases, and they use a scientific approach to determine the best treatment for each piece. Once flaking paint repair on oil paintings has been completed, preserving the restored artwork becomes the next priority. Simple measures like keeping the painting in an environment with stable, moderate humidity and temperature, avoiding direct sunlight and heat sources, and handling it gently can make a big difference.