A noncontact technique is described that uses atomic oxygen, generated under low pressure in the presence of nitrogen, to remove soot and charred varnish from the surface of a painting. The process, which involves surface oxidation, permits control of the amount of surface material removed. The effectiveness of the process was evaluated by reflectance measurements from selected areas made during the removal of soot from acrylic gesso, ink on paper, and varnished oil paint substrates. For the latter substrate, treatment also involved the removal of damaged varnish and paint binder from the surface. Rutledge, Sharon K. and Banks, Bruce A. and Forkapa, Mark and Stueber, Thomas and Sechkar, Edward and Malinowski, Kevin Glenn Research Center NASA/TM-1999-208507/REV1, E-11355/REV1, NAS 1.15:208507/REV1...