Restoration and cleaning of artwork

Keeping your artwork clean and repairing damages such as moisture damage, cracks, flaking, blooming or acid damage, will keep your art in optimal condition and will retain its value. Cost of restoration depends on the work done; please bring your painting in to determine the damage and the service you need. We then get a quote from a professional restorer, before the work is carried out.

A wide variety of art restoration services can be performed for your artwork by the experience professionals at Toronto's Contemporary Art Gallery. Below is a list possible issues with your artwork and how they can be restored.

Clean Borders & Images:
The edges of artworks often are the most handled areas, especially during framing, shipping and general inspection. All finger marks, dents and yellowing due to ultra violet light, age and acidification can be removed.

Re-Varnishing & Surface Cracking:
Surface scratches and cracking are common and can be ugly when seen in the 'wrong' light or angle. Contemporary Art Gallery delicately buffs out scratches in the varnish and sometimes removes all varnish residue in preparation for new varnish coating.

Retouching by Brush and Airbrush:
We will use various techniques to accomplish his goal in retouching artworks. A wide range of brushes, airbrush techniques and general brush skill will be used to tackle even the most difficult of repairs.

Removal of Hair and Dust:
During the silkscreen process or final varnishing of an original work dust and/or hairs can find themselves embedded in the coatings only later to be discovered.

Surface Scrapes:
Damage can occur to just the top surface of originals and prints alike. These require attention but do not involve touching the original paint work in most cases. Revarnishing may be needed to protect the repaired work and the image itself.

Cracks:
During mishandling or accident damage cracks develop in both prints and originals sometimes even revealing the paper or ground below the surface.

Paper Cleaning:
All works on paper have similar needs for cleaning, they range from foxing (specific areas of acidic damage), discoloration (this is overall yellowish coating) that results from time, exposure to temperature variances, long exposure to any environmental demands including light and cigarette smoke.

Tears, Rips and Punctures:
Paper and canvas are both susceptible to tearing, ripping or puncturing. Cropping and media manipulation can repair these flaws although major tears may render a piece unsalvageable.

Fine Art Photographs:
Retouching, cleaning and general restoration of antique, fine art photographs can be accommodated. Many of the techniques used in the restoration of limited edition prints can be applied to restoring photographs.

Water Damage & Mold:
We use a variety of chemicals, cleaning solutions and drying techniques to repair all artworks with problems due to moisture and post moisture damage. Problems not only arise from flooding but also areas with high humidity such a beach front properties.

Canvas Patching and Backing:
With canvas rips and tears Contemporary Art Gallery not only repairs and retouches the front of the image but also pays as much attention to the reverse. We ensure that the canvas remains strong and sturdy for final restoration with patches and full canvas backing.

pH Testing:
All paper products will be tested both before and after restoration service to determine the pH (acidity) of the paper. If pH levels exceed industry levels we will recommend deacidification treatment. All replacement papers use are museum archival papers and are free from contamination by acidity.

Clean Patina and Remove Corrosion:
Sculptures cast in bronze will, over time, become tarnished, dirty and even corrode in certain climatic conditions. We will service most sculpture problems from simple cleaning to corrosion removal and even major repairs. Sculptures made of wood, alabaster, sandstone, marble etc. can also be serviced.

If you have any questions regarding our artwork restoration and cleaning service please contact us by phone at 416-485-2800 or by email at cagart@rogers.com. Contemporary Art Gallery, located in Toronto, Canada employs professional art consultants and PPFA certified framers.