Decoupage varnish: how to choose and use?

The passion for creating beautiful objects with your own hands has been very popular lately. Decoupage technique is one of the most interesting directions. An important element required for this technique is varnish. It is used not only for finishing products. The composition can be used at other stages of work. This article will tell you about what types of varnishes for decoupage exist, as well as the nuances of their use.

Varnish is a liquid substance that includes resins, oils, and sometimes alcohols. When applied to any surface, a characteristic process occurs. The solution dries up and a thin film appears on the product. The properties of this protective layer depend on the type of compound applied. It can be a glossy or matte layer. It can be completely transparent or have some kind of tint (usually yellow).

In addition to protection, varnish can serve other functions as well. For example, the craquelure version is used to enhance the decorative properties of the product. When dry, it cracks beautifully. This creates the effect of exquisite antiquity. Let's consider the possibilities of varnishes in more detail.

The lacquer finish immediately several functions.

• Alignment... The lacquer finish completes the craft. It smoothes out the transitions between elements, gives the shades the same degree of gloss or matte. The composition is applied in several layers. In this case, each time the coating is dried. The protruding parts are processed with sandpaper. The process continues until the material is perfectly smooth to the touch.This way you can neutralize many of the mistakes made through negligence or inexperience.
• Protection... The quality of finishing depends not only on the appearance of the product, but also on the possibility of its further use. The varnish protects the object from various external factors (moisture, dirt, sunlight, mechanical stress). This significantly increases the lifespan of things.
• Anchoring... If the craft involves many small decorative elements, a good solution would be to fix them with varnish at every stage of the work. This will allow you to correct actions, simplify the possibility of correcting errors.
• Help in staining. If you plan to paint the object after gluing some parts, the work done should be varnished. If you get it wrong with a couple of strokes, they can be easily removed from the smooth surface.
• Gluing... The glue-varnish glues the decor onto the workpiece, while varnishing the object.
• Create decorative effects... Patination, craquelure and some other original techniques involve the use of special varnishes.
• Strengthening the strength of the elements. Thin wipes can tear. To prevent such an annoying incident, they can be sprayed with varnish-spray.
• Increased adhesion. Sometimes materials are primed with such compounds. This allows for increased adhesion.
• Union... Certain types of varnishes can act as a solvent or, conversely, as a binder. This is how interesting decorative compositions appear.

Modern manufacturers offer different options for funds. They can be based on oil, water or alcohol. Each species has its own characteristics. Let's consider them in more detail.

These are the most popular options. They can perform almost all of the above functions. The products are environmentally friendly, dry quickly. The thickened composition can be diluted with water without any problems. Tools are easily washed after work.

Odorless, water-based products are preferred for most jobs. The coating turns out to be quite durable, wear-resistant. But if the item is planned to be used in a damp room (bath, sauna), for reasons of practicality, oil varieties are used. It should be noted that the composition “grasps” for several days. Therefore, items treated with such varnish should be dried for 2-3 days before using.

These are products that include alkyd resins. The yacht variety is usually amber in color. The parquet version is transparent. Both subspecies provide a fairly dense film that is resistant to moisture and mechanical stress. Naturally, the coating dries for a long time (up to several days). Trying to speed up the process with a hair dryer is undesirable - spots or cracks may appear.

Special solvents are used to clean the instruments. It is not a bad solution to purchase disposable, inexpensive brushes. You can also buy the product in the form of a spray. It is worth considering that some alkyd options have a pungent smell, so you should take care of a protective mask.

Such compositions are designed to create original effects. These are bituminous, faceted, velor and others. They usually do not have good protective properties, but the results of their use are impressive. However, some special varnishes can be replaced with improvised means.

Such formulations dry very quickly. They perfectly protect surfaces, but they should be covered strictly with a mask and gloves. A pungent unpleasant smell is not the only disadvantage of these funds. Their vapors are harmful to human health. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure good ventilation of the room, and it is better, if possible, to abandon their use, replacing them with safer options.

This is a special heat-resistant option. It is ideal for products such as hot coasters. Moreover, this variety can also be used as a regular finishing varnish. It is inexpensive, divorced with acetone... Working with it requires a mask and ventilation due to its strong odor. Tools are cleaned with a solvent

This type forms a wear-resistant film with high elasticity. The products are glossy, flawlessly smooth. Such means are often used to decorate leather goods (wallets, business card holders, etc.). The varnish can be diluted with water. Brushes can be easily washed after work. The disadvantages include the high cost and demanding storage conditions.

This type is decorative, however, it stands out from others. With its help, patination is possible, enhancement of the expressiveness of colors. It is used for woodworking. As a result, the material acquires a soft sheen without a film effect. With the help of shellac, the gold leaf is also fixed. The coating dries quickly, almost odorless... Tools after it are cleaned with alcohol solutions.

To understand which varnish is best for your case, it is worth considering a few points. The choice should be made in accordance with the design of the craft, the material and the conditions for the future use of the product.

• Think glossy or matte surface should turn out in accordance with your idea. The first option will be brighter, but it will shimmer in the rays of light. The second can slightly muffle the shades, but will not glare. You can choose a semi-matt version (golden mean).
• Please be aware that decorative varnishes only decorate the object. Building compounds are used to protect against external influences.
• Know that products that dry for a long time are not suitable for tissue technology. This is because the work involves the application of several layers.
• To decorate items that are often in contact with humans (for example, kitchen utensils), you should choose safe formulations.
• If the product will be exposed to water, the use of waterproof products is necessary.

In conclusion, it is worth considering the nuances of the correct use of varnishes for decoupage, and also reveal some of the secrets of the professionals.

• The varnish should be applied in several thin layers. All layers, except for the last one, are lightly sanded.
• Better to use a flat synthetic brush. Soft bristles are preferred. Of course, the instrument must be clean.
• The tool is dipped into the varnish by 0.5 hair lengths... The product is applied with quick movements. You should not repeatedly apply the composition to the same area, otherwise it will not work to avoid irregularities.
• So that the coating does not roll off, it is better not to mix fundsmade on different bases.
• The glossy acrylic finish is a little tacky. Therefore, it is worth completing the work by applying a finishing agent over it.
• More layers of matte varnish will dim the image. Therefore, it is worth making the first few layers glossy, and apply the matte product only at the end (in 2-3 layers).
• If you mix a glossy composition with a matte one, you can get a very expressive "satin" effect.

For information on how to apply acrylic varnish without streaks and smudges, see the next video.