A framework was developed to evaluate and compare cleaning systems and cleaning system delivery methods, collectively referred to as varnish removal methods, within art conservation practice. This framework was applied to two water-based cleaning systems, optimised for the removal of dammar varnish from an artificially aged brown earth oil paint, including the surfactant-containing microemulsion, Polar Coating B (from the Nanorestore Cleaning series) delivered via the chemical gel, Higher Water Retention (HWR) (from the Nanorestore Gel Dry series), and a surfactant-free microemulsion delivered via the microfiber cloth, Evolon. In addition, two water-based systems and one organic solvent were used to remove dammar varnish from an artificially aged lead white oil paint sample, including a xanthan gum-stabilised emulsion delivered via a synthetic brush, a surfactant-free microemulsion delivered via cotton swab rolling, and 2-propanol solvent delivered via cotton swab rolling. The evaluation framework was thus applied to two different oil paints, with different sensitivities to cleaning. Through this work, the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the varnish removal methods were demonstrated. Notably, cleaning system compatibility with multiple delivery methods afforded greater versatility, including for reducing unwanted interactions between the cleaning system and oil paint. In addition, a surfactant-free microemulsion proved to be a promising, clearance-free, inexpensive, and modifiable option within current offerings for largely water-based methods for varnish removal.
