Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shelf life of acrylic paint?

You can expect a 5-7 year shelf life from Liquitex acrylic products, provided the materials are stored properly at room temperature, kept tightly capped and kept free of contaminants. High temperatures, freezing and the use of tap water, dirty brushes and painting tools will all adversely effect the shelf life of the paint.


Can I use Liquitex products with other brand name products such as Winsor & Newton?

Liquitex Acrylic Paint should be compatible with most other acrylic products, however the light fastness, flexibility, yellowing and UV protecting capabilities may vary from one product brand to another. Always do an adhesion test when using other products to determine compatibility.


Can Liquitex Acrylic Paint be used on top of latex paint?

Water-based emulsion acrylics belong to a larger group called latex. Most people however are referring to latex house paint when using the term latex. The binder and pigment qualities in these paints are not artists’ quality. House paint quality latex becomes brittle with age and is therefore not recommended for use under artists’ acrylics.


What does the word “hue” mean when it is included in the color name?

Some colors have a “hue” designation at the end of their name as in Cadmium Red Medium Hue. When used in this way, hue is not a color attribute but rather a replacement or alternate for a target color. The “hue” colors many times yield higher intensities at a lower cost for pigments that are either unavailable, expensive or fugitive (not lightfast) or pose possible health hazards.


I am painting a sign, which will be placed outside permanently. How should I prepare the surface I am painting on to ensure the sign remains in good shape and can be cleaned?

Begin with a wood product meant for outdoor use such as MDO Board. This is a type of plywood that is bonded with paper on one or both sides, available from sign making supply houses. Apply 2 – 5 coats of Liquitex Gesso, sanding between coats. Once the painting is complete, allow 3 days drying/curing time. Coat with Liquitex Gloss Medium & Varnish. Final varnish with Liquitex Soluvar (Matte or Gloss) or polyurethane varnish. Soluvar is a clear, flexible removable varnish and can be removed at any time for cleaning with mineral spirits. Polyurethane is a more durable varnish but is not flexible or removable and will yellow over time. Varnish both sides and edges to seal against moisture.


Why do I need to use two varnishes when using Soluvar Varnish?

Gloss Medium & Varnish provides a buffer coat that protects the paint film against abrasion during future Soluvar removal for cleaning. Soluvar provides final UV varnish protection for the work.


How can I remove varnish from my painting?

All Liquitex water emulsion-based varnishes are permanent and therefore NOT removable. Liquitex Soluvar Final Varnish is removable with mineral spirits. The steps to remove this varnish are:

• Remove varnish in clean, well-ventilated area.
  
• Wear a duel filter respirator (NIOSH approved) and neoprene gloves. Dampen a small piece of lint free, soft, white cloth with mineral spirits (not “odorless”) or turpentine – nothing stronger. Do not use ketones or paint removers.
  
• Work horizontally. Apply mineral spirits generously and allow it to lay on surface for 15-30 minutes. Check periodically. Longer times may be necessary, depending upon age of artwork and strength of mineral spirits. If varnish is not dissolving or dissolving slowly, use a higher strength mineral spirits or turpentine (cover with plastic to slow down evaporation of mineral spirits). Stronger mineral spirits are not labeled as such, but have a stronger odor.
  
• Rub cloth gently over a small area 1-2 square inches (3-5 cm') until varnish starts to dissolve.
  
• Using a clean cloth and clean solvent, rub the area again to remove residue. Repeat this procedure for the entire area to be cleaned. If any paint color shows on the cloth, stop immediately and allow the surface to dry.
  
• Allow painting to dry before reapplying a fresh coat of Soluvar Final Picture Varnish.
  
  
  Can I reuse an acrylic painted canvas?
  
  Yes, it can be painted over with acrylic or oil paint.
  
  
  How should I store my finished painting?
  
  The best storage is in painting racks, separated from touching other paintings. The tops of the paintings can be covered to keep out dust. This allows for good ventilation to prevent mold growth. Paintings can also be stacked vertically with acid free cardboard separators. If paintings must be covered, use acid free tissue, followed by plastic film. Do not wrap tightly as to seal in moisture. Do not use bubble wrap as the bubbles can imprint into the canvas. Maintain mild temperature and low humidity levels. High and freezing temperatures can adversely effect the painting and painting/plastic interaction.
  
  
  What’s a medium?
  
  Mediums are made with acrylic resin for adjusting how the paint works, feels and looks. They can be used to add texture, adjust the flow, and alter the working properties of the color. Because they include acrylic resin, mediums maintain or add to the stability of the paint film, and can be used in any amount desired. Fluid mediums are labeled with a large letter ‘M,’ and gel mediums with a large letter ‘G.’ Texture Gels are labeled with a ‘T’ and Varnishes with a ‘V.’ Liquitex mediums come in a huge array of sizes, from 2 oz. Containers to gallon pails.
  
  
  What’s an additive?
  
  Additives are used to adjust the chemistry of acrylic paints, and they don’t include a significant proportion of acrylic resin. The last part of that sentence is important because it means that additives should be used only in the amount needed to achieve the desired effect; adding too much can affect the stability of the paint film. They can be used to adjust the flow, or drying time of the color. Additives are labeled with a large letter ‘A.’ As with all products, the directions should be read before use.
  
  
  What do mediums and additives do?
  
  Mediums and additives help you do an almost infinite variety of different things with acrylics. From traditional painting applications on canvas and panel to watercolor on paper, to high-peak impasto, to glazing, to unique textural effects, acrylics can do it all. And there are mediums and additives to enhance usage on fabric, on leather, as a dye, and silkscreen. There’s no better color for contemporary techniques such as image-transfer, for structural applications, and collage.
  
  
  Are there any standard guidelines that I can follow when working with acrylic Liquitex mediums and additives ?
  
  
• For best results, always test before use.
  
• Mix with acrylic paint to economically extend volume and/or control transparency of paint.
  
• Mix into acrylic paint to add flexibility, adhesion, and long-term stability.
  
• Mix gloss mediums into Liquitex acrylic paints to enhance depth of color intensity, increase transparency, gloss, ease flow of paint and add flexibility and adhesion of paint film.
  
• Mix matte mediums into Liquitex acrylic paints to increase matte sheen of dried paint film.
  
• Liquitex Mediums extend the volume, while increasing the transparency of the colors. The exception is the Matte Opaque Extender Medium, which maintains the opacity of the color while extending volume.
  
• A thin film (1/16") of Liquitex Mediums may take between 1/2 hour to 24 hours to initially dry. A thicker film (1/4") may take between 2-5 days to initially dry.
  
• The use of a hair drier will speed up the drying time of all Liquitex Mediums.
  
• The use of an air-mister and humidifier will slow the drying time of all Liquitex Mediums.
  
• Some mediums can be pressure sensitive in hot, humid weather and may stick to another surface if pressure is applied. To prevent, use Liquitex Soluvar (Gloss or Matte) as a final protection.
  
• Avoid all oily, oil painted, greasy or waxy surfaces.
  
• When painting on hard (impervious), slick (shiny) surfaces such as glass, Formica™, metal, enamel or hardboard, sand surfaces prior to applying any medium.
  
• May be applied with a wide variety of tools such as brushes, palette knives, paint pads, sponges, spray gun or airbrush.
  
• Vigorous brushwork over textured areas may cause bubbles to form within the paint film.
  
• Do not overwork during application. If the medium is brushed heavily during drying, it can cause clouding. Once the film is clouded and dry, it cannot be clarified or removed. If an area is missed, allow surface to dry and then cover with another coat of medium.
  
• Use matte mediums to prime surfaces and prepare supports (i.e. outdoor murals).
  
  
  Does Liquitex have any written product information on applications and techniques ?
  
  Yes. Liquitex publishes The Acrylic Book a comprehensive resource that details technical and application information about acrylic colors and mediums and the following Resource Guides: Medium & Additives for Acrylics, Liquitex Color Chart and Basics Color Chart. They are available at no cost from your local dealer or by calling Liquitex at (888)4acrylic.
  
  I am concerned about the health and safety issues involved with using artists acrylic paint. How do I know that working with Liquitex products is safe?
  
  Liquitex Acrylic Paints, Mediums and Varnishes are water based (and water clean up). There are no fumes associated with using Liquitex other than a slight ammonia smell. All Liquitex products are labeled "AP Non-Toxic" by The Art and Creative Materials Institute with the exception of the following: Cadmium Colors - Do not spray apply / Liquitex Soluvar Varnish - contains Mineral Spirits.
  
  Toxicologists at the Art and Creative Materials Institute have been certifying safety and quality in art materials since 1940. New Liquitex labels use the AP symbol to indicate Non-Toxic but the phrase "Non-Toxic" has been removed due to European labeling standards. Liquitex products are also labeled for California Prop. 65 which requires that any trace amount (no matter how small) of a toxic substance appear on the label.
  
  For more information you can contact the ACMI directly.
  The Art and Creative Materials Institute
  1280 Main St., 2nd. Floor
  PO Box 479
  Hanson, MA 02341
  781-293-4100 Fax 781-294-0808
  
  There is no natural latex used in Liquitex products. In fact, the only products ColArt (Liquitex parent company) manufactures containing rubber latex are Art Masking Fluid and Colorless Art Masking Fluid. Both these products are labeled for possible allergic reaction. There is no formaldehyde, peanut oil, dairy products, egg or wheat products used in Liquitex products.
  
  All Liquitex colors have been TCLP analysed for RCRA 8 metals. The colors that exceeded EPA solubility limits for chromium are: Cobalt Green and Cobalt Turquoise.
  With the exception of the Cadmium colors (Cadmium “Hue” colors are OK), Cobalt Green and Cobalt Turquoise, the entire line of colors is safe for use by children or in a child’s room.
  

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