No matter how careful you are you’re probably going to hit or knock your canvases at some point and get a dent in them. As much you push the dent back out from the underside it won’t work, that’s because the fine canvas threads have been stretched in that area. Even if you fit the canvas tightening wedges that come with most canvases into the corners, it still won’t work. So let me show you what does work:
Here is my dented canvas.You can see in this close-up the dent it quite deep.If I were to try and push the dent out from this side it would simply not work.So what you need is a clean rag or sponge and make it wet, ..very wet. You can’t damage your canvas by making it too wet (avoid getting too much water on the wooden stretchers).Turn your canvas over and place it on a clean flat surface, then with your wet rag/sponge wet the back of the canvas all around the dented area.Rub your rag or sponge up, down, back and fore until the weave of the canvas it good and wet.Once the canvas is sodden, apply some pressure to the dented area and push it down flat.It will do no harm to leave the soaked rag/sponge on the effected area for a minute of so.After a couple of minutes rubbing the back of the canvas this is what the dented area looked like on my canvas. The brush handle is pointing at the dent.All that remains of the damage to my canvas is a small impression left where the dent was at it’s sharpest.This is the canvas after going through the process above, fixed.This beautiful girl (Pusspuss) is the reason my canvas had a dent in it in the first place, she denies responsibility.
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Happy painting.
Chris
12 thoughts on “How To Get A Dent Out Of A Painting Canvas”
I bought a painting last night at Goodwill and didn’t notice until I was getting it out of the car that the painting was dented! That’s how I found your page. I was ready to take the painting back to Goodwill and get my money back, but tried your method this morning. Wow!!! Within a couple of minutes the dent was released and the painting is now proudly hanging on my wall. Thank you so much! This is why I love the internet, sharing what we know with others. It worked!
What can I do if the edges are bent? The wood is higher right on the edge of the canvas so it got a dent on all the corners from transportation. I can’t fix this with that method because it’s right under the wood. I’d be glad if you can help
Thank you so much for this advice! I’m a new-ish art technician and just tried this out, it worked like magic, I can’t believe I never knew this before!
Hello
Am I able to fix “lines” in a white background canvas? Collateral damage from moving, something has pressed from the back putting the pressure of the wood mount onto the back of the canvas, creating two marked lines on the front.
Thank you Lauren
Hi Carollyn, depending on the type of varnish used, if any, you’d have to remove that first, then repaint those areas if the cracks were significant. Very fine cracks may be able to be filled with delicate brushwork. ~ Chris
I bought a painting last night at Goodwill and didn’t notice until I was getting it out of the car that the painting was dented! That’s how I found your page. I was ready to take the painting back to Goodwill and get my money back, but tried your method this morning. Wow!!! Within a couple of minutes the dent was released and the painting is now proudly hanging on my wall. Thank you so much! This is why I love the internet, sharing what we know with others. It worked!
Hi Susan, glad I was able to help. Enjoy your painting 🙂
Can I use this method on a canvas that is already painted and has gone saggy on the edges
Hi Barb, yes you can. It shouldn’t effect the painting if the paint is dry ~ Chris
What can I do if the edges are bent? The wood is higher right on the edge of the canvas so it got a dent on all the corners from transportation. I can’t fix this with that method because it’s right under the wood. I’d be glad if you can help
Not sure quite what you mean Miel, if you can email me a photo of the damage I may be able to suggest a repair. ~ Chris
Dear Chris,
Thank you so much for this advice! I’m a new-ish art technician and just tried this out, it worked like magic, I can’t believe I never knew this before!
Hi Vera, I’m glad it was helpful, good stuff ~ Chris
Hello
Am I able to fix “lines” in a white background canvas? Collateral damage from moving, something has pressed from the back putting the pressure of the wood mount onto the back of the canvas, creating two marked lines on the front.
Thank you Lauren
Hi Lauren, if the lines are indentations, then try this https://www.chrischalkart.com/painting_blog/how-to-get-a-dent-out-of-a-painting-canvas/ If the white has been stained or colour marked then you can repaint the white areas. If the painting is varnished, you may have to remove this first however ~ Chris
Hi Chris,
I was curious about fixing cracks in the actual paint on as piece of wall art- please advise.
Hi Carollyn, depending on the type of varnish used, if any, you’d have to remove that first, then repaint those areas if the cracks were significant. Very fine cracks may be able to be filled with delicate brushwork. ~ Chris