How do you remove mold from the back of oil paintings on canvas?

Oil paintings on canvas with wood stretchers were accidentally stored in damp conditions (leaky garden shed) for many years. Patches of black mold are growing on the back of some paintings, white mold on the backs of others. The black mold is starting to show through on the painted side.





These are family portraits, painted 50 years ago by a beloved family member. We are sick to see this damage and can't figure out how to treat the mold without further staining or damaging the painting. The paintings are typically about 18x24.





Any suggestions?


Thanks


mpc717vc

How do you remove mold from the back of oil paintings on canvas?
I would have them cared for by a professional art restorer if they are precious to you. You don't want to try someone's suggestion and have it make things worse.
Reply:You really probably cannot.Keep them in a very dry,cool place.No direct sunlight that fades the picture,If it


is only the back of the canvas,Very carefully you can try


a very very light application of lysol..(or very mist spray mold killer,let dry,spray again


lightly ,let dry..until you are pretty sure that has


illimated most of the alive active mold(Do not over due,


use very quick even small amounts,you do not want to saturate or retard the canvas,give great amounts of time to dry.(As with anything you can always add more but you cannot take this away once its done)If these are "oil" paintings it should be fine.You do not need an expensive art restorist.The damage is already done by moisture.You cannot remove the mold discoloration.If you are


satisfied or feel that was careful enough and enough .


Then I would buy a "clear flat matte finish" sealant spray enamel.there are inexpensive ones and expensive ones ,You can very carefully and lightly "seal"The paintings back with this.


"Do not saturate"Spray very short light even application.


repeat when very dry do not be eager,but be short and quick when applying it,shake the can every which way longer then it advises.Spray once across fast ,do not be tempted to spray the same area again.You are not suppost to see shiny wet transparent matte enamel finish.let the whole back of the canvas slowly


absorb very small amounts.This will stop the mold and the


moisture from continueing to destry the oil painting.


You notice the painting itself has none (most likely).


Thats because the paint already is a self sealant which


the average mold cannot grow well on.(Of course that depends on what kind of mold it is)..I JUST NOTICED that


you wrote the mold is showing through on the front.


I recommend %26lt;many short quick aplications of lysol


the painting will absorb this to the front .This will not


harm your picture don't listen to number one..This will take atleast a week .You wan't to spend 5.00 or 500$ or more.
Reply:I have seen art restorers use a sponge and very diluted bleach and water solution