Guidelines for Care of Fine Art
Deterioration can be caused by inappropriate light, temperature, or humidity levels, pollution and contaminants, mishandling, pests, and mold. In addition, inappropriate repairs and cleaning methods can cause irreparable damage to photographic prints.
Handling
Special care shall be used when handling artwork. Oils that are naturally present on the hands will damage the art. If the work is not framed, cotton or powder-free nitrile gloves should be worn when handling the piece.
Hanging
If framed, this art should be hung using the provided hangers. If you have the image framed elsewhere, the framer will provide advice on proper hanging.
Environment
Color photographs are prone to damage from exposure to high and/or fluctuating temperature and relative humidity levels. High temperature and humidity levels combined with pollution and contaminants can cause fading of photographic images.
Light
Photographs are prone to light damage in the form of fading. Color photographs should be displayed under low light levels (approximately 50 lux). Ultraviolet, which is the most damaging form of light, should be eliminated by using ultraviolet filters on lights designed for displaying art. Low wattage halogen lighting is a good solution for lighting art. Framing with conservation glass or acrylic will block 99% of UV rays, compared to less than 45% blockage by regular (non-conservation) glazing.
Cleaning
Glass
For cleaning the glass of your framed photographs, spray a small amount of non-ammonia glass cleaner on a micro-fiber cloth and wipe in a circular motion. Then with a dry section of cloth, wipe the glass surface dry to avoid water marks. If a micro-fiber cloth is not available, use a clean,lint-free cotton cloth. Do not spray cleaner directly onto glass. Excess glass cleaner can seep into the frame and damage the artwork.
Acrylic
The instructions for acrylic are not the same as for glass. For dust removal, lightly moisten a soft cotton or fine micro-fiber cloth and wipe evenly and gently across the acrylic. You may also use a mild soap solution or compatible plastic cleaner - do NOT use glass cleaner. Then rinse with clean water and blot dry with a non-abrasive cloth. For heavier oils, grease, tar, etc, More extensive cleaning and repair should be left to a professional.
Canvas
On the canvas or acrylic image itself, surface dust should be removed using an extremely soft brush or microfiber cloth. We apply several layers of a protective coating to our canvas that will also allow wiping with a lightly-dampened cloth for more difficult stains. More extensive cleaning and repair should be left to a professional conservator since photographs are easily damaged by moisture and solvents.
You can contact us if you have any questions, or hit the Comment Button below if you have any suggestions for improvement.