testing painting - is it oil or acrylic - I forgot!

[trix from the stix]

I am sure this question has been asked before, but after 30 minutes searching, I have been unable to locate it. I paint in both oil and acrylic, and I will sometimes forget if some of my earlier paintings are oil or acrylic. How to I test to see if it is acrylic. I was thinking I had read somewhere before to use alcohol on the edge to see if the paint is removed, but I am not sure. Can anyone help me?


Thanks! Trix from the stix!

[idylbrush]

Cotton ball with alcohol, rub a dub dub. If paint comes off onto the cotton ball chances are good it is acrylic. Sometimes, you can tell by taking a whiff of the painted surface. Not always a good way but if it smells of linseed oil, chances are it is oil.

You might consider writing, with a pencil, on the back of the canvas denoting what was used.

Another idea is to add a bit of nomenclature to the serial number. i. e., AC acrylic on canvas, OC, oil on canvas, kind of thing.

[trix from the stix]

Thank you! I was thinking that alcohol would do it, but I wanted to check in with the experts here! I appreciate your help!

[Wassie]

I've had that same problem. One person said they could tell by looking at it. I think not. Glad to know of the alcohol test.