How do I remove a water stain from an old watercolor painting?

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I have an old watercolor painting from around 1915 with a water stain on it, I was hoping there would be a product I could buy to help remove the stain without hurting the paint.

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  1. helene says:
    June 10, 2009 at 5:29 am

    I wouldn't attempt it. If the watercolor has been water-damaged, there may not be a way to get the "stain" out without taking the watercolor with it.

    If the piece is valuable, you should consult an art restorer. They are extensively trained, and some of them are real wizards at repairing works on paper.

  2. Puppy Zwolle says:
    June 10, 2009 at 5:29 am

    There are lots of products that you can use to remove that stain. Don't. There is no doubt in my mind you will damage the painting even further.

    Helene said it best. Consult a specialist. They can tell you if they can do it, how much it will cost and most likely what the new value of your water color will be. Usually such a consult will be free.

  3. John T says:
    June 10, 2009 at 5:29 am

    I wouldn't fool with it unless your willing to do without it altogether. Any water on a watercolor painting will liquefy the paint no matter how old it is and make that paint run or blot.
    You could really damage it beyond any repair, I think you should contact a professional art restorer at an art shop or possibly an art school/college or museum and see what he says once he takes a look at it and do so before you do anything to it.

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