VARNISHING ACRYLICS

VARNISHING FOR ACRYLICS: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Want to keep your acrylic work in great shape? Varnish it. Even though acrylic dries fast to a durable and flexible film, there are all sorts of advantages to sealing it with a final coat of acrylic varnish.

WHY VARNISH?

Adjusts and unifies surface sheen
Boosts color saturation
Minimizes dust and dirt being attracted into the paint film
Protects against from abrasions and damage when shipping, moving or on show
Extends protection from UV light
Lets you clean without damaging the paint film

WHICH VARNISH?

There’s lots to choose from: permanent vs removable, liquid vs spray formats, different sheen levels. All our varnishes can be used on interior and exterior work.

HOW TO CHOOSE?

BY MEDIUM: 3D/textured/multi-media surfaces and murals love spray-on or airbrushed varnish
LOCATION: Is it likely to get dirty? Removable varnish lets you take the dirty layer off and reseal
BY SHEEN: Matte, satin or wet look gloss will give your work a very different look. You can mix Liquitex varnishes to create a custom finish
PREFERENCE: spray application offers easy clean up.

PERMANENT OR REMOVABLE?

PERMANENT: 9 OPTIONS | 4 SHEENS: Matte, Satin, Gloss, High Gloss

Non-removable, water-based, made to use exclusively on acrylics
Dries to a hard surface, resistant to dirt retention, which copes with humidity, heat UV light and - depending on substrate - lets moisture pass through
Each has great leveling properties, is durable, resists chemicals, water and discoloration (yellowing, non-fogging), is flexible, permanent and translucent when wet, transparent when dry

REMOVABLE: 9 OPTIONS | 2 SHEENS: Matte, Gloss

Liquitex Soluvar is our range of removable varnishes
Solvent-based, these can be used on acrylics or oils
Dries to a hard surface, will not crack as your surface expands and contracts during temperature and humidity changes
Each has leveling properties, is durable, non-yellowing, flexible and translucent when wet, transparent when dry

LIQUID OR SPRAY?

LIQUID: 8 OPTIONS | 4 SHEENS: MATTE, SATIN, GLOSS, HIGH GLOSS

Designed to be used straight from the bottle, this is the most traditional form of varnish. Apply with a wide paint brush, airbrush or sponge and build up in layers

SPRAY: 5 OPTIONS | 3 SHEENS: Matte, Satin, Gloss

Read to use aerosol varnishes are the perfect way to seal 3D/textured/multi-mediua pieces and vertical murals. It lets you create even mists and build up fine layers - remember to wear a mask

HOW TO APPLY

GOLDEN RULES FOR VARNISHING

Always wait until paint is fully dry (up to 2 weeks) and leave 24 hours or more between coats of varnish.
Wear a mask and make sure your space is well ventilated and dust-free
Unless it's fixed to a wall, always work flat on a table - do not varnish vertically
Apply in long even strokes/mists to cover the surface top to bottom while moving from one side to the other
Go for multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat to avoid clouds, drip, sag and visible brush marks
Once you leave an area, don't go back over it or you risk dragging partially dry resin into wet, which will dry cloudy. If you've missed a spot, allow to dry completely and apply a second coat.

PERMANENT VARNISH

Choose your desired format and sheen. Always do a test before applying your work
Stir varnish gently before use (to avoid bubbles) or shake spray can well. Do not thin with water
Use a clean wide, flat soft-hair brush/pad/airbrush/spray to apply
With Liquitex Matter or Satin Varnish, apply a maximum of 1-2 thin coats to avoid cloudiness when dry. Want more coats? Do a pre-layer of Gloss Varnish and then apply Matte or Satin Varnish as your final coat.

SOLUVAR REMOVABLE VARNISH

If working with acrylics, allow paint to completely dry (2 weeks) before moving to the varnish stage. If working with oils, leave to dry for 6-12 months, depending upon oil film thickness
Choose your desired format and sheen. Always do a test before applying to your work
First apply 1-2 layers of Gloss Medium as a permanent isolation barrier and leave to dry for 24 hrs
Stir Soluvar gently before use to avoid bubbles, or shake can vigorously
Apply 1-2 layers of Soluvar with a wide, flat soft-hair brush/pad/spray, leaving 24 hours between coats

REMOVING & REPLACING SOLUVAR VARNISH

Protect yourself with a dual filter respirator (NIOSH approved) and neoprene gloves
Dampen a small piece of soft lint free white cloth with mineral spirits (not “odorless”) or turpentine - nothing stronger. Do not use ketones or paint removers
Working horizontally, apply mineral spirits generously to your surface with the cloth, letting it lay on surface for 15–30 minutes. This activates the dissolving process
Check periodically if it’s softening and dissolving the varnish layer by rubbing your cloth gently over a 1–2” section until the varnish starts to dissolve
You may need to leave longer depending on the age of your artwork and the strength of your mineral spirits.
Once you’re happy it’s dissolving, use a clean cloth and clean solvent to rub the area again to remove residue. Repeat this for the entire area to be cleaned and you should get down to the permanent isolating barrier of Gloss Medium (which we always advise applying before the first Soluvar application).
If you haven't used an isolating barrier, work extremely cautiously. Always stop immediately if any paint color shows on your cloth and allow the surface to dry
Allow the piece to dry for at least 24hrs before reapplying a fresh coat of Soluvar Varnish