How do you remove foxing from art prints?

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Wet the foxing on the print's surface lightly with some tap water. Dip a cotton swab into the prepared solution. Gently rub the swab over the affected areas on the print. Let the solution sit on the paper for 30 minutes.



Herein, how do I remove foxing from old prints?

How to Remove Foxing on Paper

  1. Inspect the book for any remaining moisture.
  2. Sprinkle corn starch onto any pages that are very wet.
  3. Allow the book to remain laid out until it is completely dried out.
  4. Dry out the damp wallpaper by increasing the heat in the room.
  5. Prepare a mixture of 2 tbsp.
  6. Wipe down the dry wallpaper with the soapy water.

Secondly, how do you remove brown spots from old prints? The spots can be treated by dabbing them slightly with a cotton tip or a brush dipped in bleaching solution. Any wrinkling can be lessened by dampening the paper and then drying it under pressure. Any gluing, backing up and framing should be done only after the print has dried properly.

Furthermore, how do you remove foxing from artwork?

Foxing can be treated well without compromising the paper support or pigments. To a certain extent it can be treated by utilising specific washing treatments which flush out the polluted acidic elements on the paper. However, usually to remove foxing completely you need to use a conservation standard bleaching agent.

What is foxing on a print?

Foxing is an age-related process of deterioration that causes spots and browning on old paper documents such as books, postage stamps and certificates. The name may derive from the fox-like reddish-brown color of the stains, or the rust chemical ferric oxide which may be involved.

35 Related Question Answers Found

Does foxing devalue a book?

Foxing is an age-related process of deterioration that causes spots and browning on old paper documents such as books, postage stamps and certificates. Although unsightly and a negative factor in the value of the paper item for collectors, foxing does not affect the actual integrity of the paper.

Is foxing on books dangerous?

Foxing is not known to damage the structural integrity of the paper either, it's a cosmetic problem and is best left untreated. Removing it bleaching and such does damage the paper. Mold spots tend to be black, purple, pink, or green stains, or biig brown blotches (not fox marks). I'd avoid buying moldy books.

How do you clean old paper prints?

Begin cleaning by gently brushing the surface of an object with a soft brush to remove loose dirt and dust. If soiling is heavy, brush debris into a HEPA vacuum with cheesecloth over the nozzle to catch any bits of paper that may come loose accidentally. Do not apply the vacuum hose directly onto the object.

Will foxing spread to other books?

Foxing is not "contagious" unless it is of the organic kind caused by mold although that would likely be on materials that are organic, not on "Abby Wove" paper, Cambric etc - and even then it would be the mold that is "contagious". Foxing may be unsightly but it will not harm your book.

How do I restore my prints?


  1. Brush the lithograph to remove surface dirt. Use a brush with very soft bristles to gently sweep the front and back of the print.
  2. Use a gum eraser to remove stains. Gently rub the gum eraser across the stains in one direction.
  3. Bleach the print.
  4. Glue the tears back together.
  5. Remove creases with weight.

How do I stop foxing?

Tips to Prevent Foxing
  1. Store your books thoughtfully. Keep them in a room that has central air conditioning and heat.
  2. If you live in a relatively humid area, consider using a dehumidifier.
  3. Always use acid-free paper if wrapping, packing, or mounting rare books and ephemera.

Is foxing mold?

Foxing. Foxing is the result of both mold and metal contaminants in paper. Foxing appears as brown, yellow, or red stains on the paper, often in spidery spots or blotches.

What causes foxing?

Foxing refers to the brown splotches, specks, and patches you often see in antiquarian books, especially those from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They're caused by growth of fungi or mildew, usually because the book has been exposed to excessive moisture or humidity.

Do watercolors fade?

Direct sunlight should not come in contact with any work of art, including oils. Unprotected watercolors are particularly fragile – even a few weeks in direct sunlight or in a very bright room with reflected light can fade the impermanent pigments and embrittle the paper. The paper may also become bleached or yellowed.

Can watercolor paintings be cleaned?


Watercolor paintings cannot be cleaned with a damp rag because the dampness will compromise the integrity of the paper as well as the paint itself. Art restorers use bread to clean dust, dirt and grime that builds up on the surface of a watercolor painting.

How do you restore a watercolor painting?

Water Damage
  1. Remove the painting from the frame.
  2. Lay the watercolor on a flat, dry surface.
  3. Mist the front and back of the watercolor with a light coating of spray Lysol.
  4. Brush the mold off of the watercolor lightly with a clean, dry, soft-bristled paint brush.
  5. Insert the painting into the frame.

How do you remove watercolor stain?

If the spill just happened, blot the liquid with a moist cotton ball, swab, or paper towel. If you use paper towel, fold it into a small square to maximize its ability to remove liquid. Blot the stain until you can't remove any more liquid, then blot the paper with dry paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Do lithographs fade?

Lithographs will fade and discolor over time. Exposing lithographs to sunlight or UV rays can hasten deterioration too.

How do you remove mold from art?

Surfaces (other than art) can be treated with a 10% solution chlorine bleach (one cup of bleach (e.g. Clorox) to one gallon of water). For mold on the actual artwork, the reverse surface can be lightly misted with 70% alcohol in water.

How do you seal a watercolor painting?


If the watercolor is on paper spraying two even coats of the aerosol Archival Varnish (Gloss) is usually enough to seal and adhere the pigments to the paper. If the watercolor painting is on Absorbent Ground, then three even coats of Archival Varnish (Gloss) are generally required to prevent bleeding or streaking.

How do you get mildew off art prints?

If you must, it may be best to allow the mold to dry before removal.
  1. MOMA does suggest that a cotton swab lightly dampened with a mixture of 70% alcohol and water can be dabbed onto small clusters of mold.
  2. Dry mold can be brushed away with a soft bristled brush.

How do you remove brown spots from paint?

Water is used to remove stains due to acidity or discoloration of the paper. Bleach, commonly hydrogen peroxide, is used on rust, mold or brown spots. They can be used by dipping the entire image in a bath or applying as a type of poultice to the affected area.