[George O'Hanlon]

The main oil constituents of clove oil are eugenol (70–95 %), eugenol acetate (up to 20 %), and β-caryophyllene (12–17 %). Eugenol is an anti-oxidant that interferes with the drying process of vegetable drying oils. This may have long-term consequences for the oxidative polymerization of oil paint, causing it to form weak paint films that are susceptible to moisture and solvents.

[Alexandro]

Would varnishing prevent this to happen?

[George O'Hanlon]

Geneva Paint contains clove oil which we know interferes with the natural oxidative process of oil paint.

[Alexandro]

Hi George! Which as you mentioned may have long-term consequences for the oxidative polymerization of oil paint, causing it to form weak paint films that are susceptible to moisture and solvents. But wouldn’t the varnish protect the weak paint film from moisture and solvents? And other environmental issues

[George O'Hanlon]

Varnishes provide limited protection from the environment, but the problem, in the case of clove oil in the paint, is not the environment but rather the potential defects in the paint film due to an oxidative process that is impaired by the anti-oxidant (eugenol) in clove oil.

[Alexandro]

So bringing back the mason mortar and brick example in the fat over lean articles, it would be like weakening the whole composition of the wall, right? Painting the wall (such as varnishing the painting) wouldn’t make it stronger

[George O'Hanlon]

Weakening the binding agent in the paint—the glue that holds the pigment together and to the substrate.

[George O'Hanlon]

Varnish cannot protect the underlying paint film from solvents used to remove varnish or to clean the painting. Varnish coatings are not impermeable membranes. Humidity and moisture have no trouble passing through them.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  George O'Hanlon.

[Anna Brait]

Alas, I have a set of Geneva paints that I don’t use anymore. Instead, I put clove oil on a cotton ball and leave that in my pochade box to prevent paint on the palette from drying out. I store the pochade in a plastic bag. Do you foresee any problems?

[George O'Hanlon]

You can use clove oil in this manner to retard the skinning and drying of oil paint on a palette. Read more about this here: https://www.naturalpigments.com/artist-materials/clove-oil-paint

[Anna Brait]

Thank you, George. I appreciate your reassuring response!

[abdul]

Thanks guys for sharing much of information for oil paint

[abdul]

Can you guys tell me which is the best oil paint for painting actually i have to make paintings and sell it on facebook. so need the best ones. https://paintingservice.ae/painters-services/flat-painting-services-in-dubai/

[George O'Hanlon]

That depends on many factors. ou must try a few from each brand that is available to you to determine what suits your needs.