Kilz is both a sealer and primer, so yes you can use Kilz without gesso for overpainting with acrylic paints. It results in a glossy finish, and lasts long. She currently lives in Santa Fe, NM. Mix Paint for Pour. By preparing your wood properly before you paint and sealing the painted wood afterwards, your painted wood items will maintain their quality for many years to come. A general rule is to apply at least two coats of sealer directly onto the raw wood to protect the wood. She currently lives in Santa Fe, NM. Warping will happen when moisture enters wood. Thanks for the info. I will be using acrylics. Prepare the wood before you begin painting. I’m sure I’m overthinking it but can you break it down for me please? The paint is glossy when wet, but it becomes more satin as it dries. If you use any paint or product that is GLOSSY it will act as a sealer – or barrier for moisture entering into the wood. Paint with an acrylic wash. It’s special thin formulation of polymer acrylic, applied over the wood, soaks in quickly and minimizes brushstrokes and texture. From your first brushstroke to your ultimate masterpiece – this course has it all. The gesso Michael’s house brand. Adding a primer (over a sealed wood surface) is not necessary but can add an important element to your layering. Hi Patricia, For a final varnish you can use an archival varnish meant for paintings. Bring your visions to life on canvas! 1. Gesso is a primer and not a sealer. There is no easy application (!) I recommend Golden’s Polymer Varnish, which comes in a variety of sheens – gloss, matte and satin. I know these are a lot of questions but you are obviously a wealth of knowledge and I hope you can answer them for me. The same size panel from Ampersand weighs 11.4 lbs. Usually two sealing coats are sufficient, making the wood appear slightly satin or glossy in sheen. Quick question: I bought a regular piece of smooth plywood stained it and applied a clear gesso and it isn’t drying clear. I use two coats so it looks pristine white all over. Otherwise you can purchase commercially made wood panels from art stores and online artist supply sites. Make sure the paint is completely dry before you add the varnish. If you use any paint or product that is MATTE, this means it is absorbent, and therefore you are actually increasing its ability to absorb moisture, and therefore may warp the wood. Since the piece is from 1944, it probably uses oil paint. Once you have a stretched canvas, the next step is to prime it so you can start painting. Is spray or paint on easier for beginners please? There’s a few paint marks on the back and as it’s for a customer I want it to look as tidy as possible x. Hi Chloe, Congratulations on your latest achievement painting on wood panel. You can also use a polyurethane. Golden recommends waiting at least 2 weeks before applying varnish. So once you purchase a wood panel you need to do two important steps before painting: seal to keep out moisture, and then prime to strengthen adhesion between the paint and wood panel. Nancy Reyner Custom Artist Panels. You can also use acrylic gesso. Drying times can vary. Hi Adrian, It sounds like your gesso did not adhere properly to the panel support. Choose the right type of paint and the right color. Over twenty years into my art making adventures and every time I read one of your blogs I learn something new and helpful and find lots of inspiration! – what do you recommend to varnish mdf and birch ply? That is why you should seal or size the wood which prevents it from getting warped because of humidity shifts. So prepare the wood for acrylic painting by applying two or more coats of the sealer. The decision to skip an important step like priming really depends on your surface and the quality (consistency, dilution, application, etc) of your first paint layer. How they can label one product as both is beyond me. Then I add my painting on the front. I’m just curious as to how you would tidy up the back of the panel to prepare it for hanging? The second step is optional. For acrylic painters, one coat of a better quality gesso, such as GOLDEN’s Gesso, will add adhesion strength between the sealed wood and your first layer of acrylic paint. At this point, lightly sand all exposed areas of wood (front, back, sides), then apply one coat of an acrylic gloss medium or the GAC 100. Shellac based primers are great for sealing wood knots and sap streaks. Are you asking what you can use to seal it prior to painting, or to varnish it over the painting? Your email address will not be published. Some of the points you mentioned crossed my mind when I was questioning the whole thing. Forward thinking, is there a varnish or medium I should use or that you can recommend (specific to painting on wood panels) to finish & seal in my painting? – can i use a zinniser stain blocker or kilz WITHOUT gesso ( if its matte & water base) for sealing & priming for acrylic paints? What a lovely note! A clear gesso is actually a semi-gloss or matte acrylic medium. Please re-read the article to make sure you understand the difference between sealers (glossy – allows next coat to stay on top of this non-absorbent coating) and primers (matte – allows next coat to sink in to an absorbent coated surface). Is it the same process ? HOWEVER the most important thing to remember is that wood needs to be SEALED prior to adding anything. Make sure your acrylic painting is dry before applying the varnish sealer. Using gloss brings out the colors more than using a satin or matte. First of all, the GAC100 came in 8 fl. Wood is pourous, which means just about any sealer, paint and topcoat will adhere. I am new to wood and teaching myself and still get tripped up. You can apply primer with a brush, roller or by spraying, and one coat is all you need. Thank you so much! If the spots are still showing, add another layer. The Golden website indicates that the GAC100 is “Useful for thinning or ‘extending’ colors as well as increasing ‘flexibility’.” I’m both curious and rather concerned because I don’t want to apply my gesso on a sealed surface that does not seem to be bone dry. © 2020 Nancy Reyner | All Rights Reserved | Design. Hi Daniel, Sounds like fun working on a project together with your daughter. The lesser quality primer, though, does not have a high pigment content for extra adhesion strength that acrylic paints require. Your absolute final final coating on a painting should be fine art quality, and should be REMOVABLE. Priming usually uses Gesso – which is matte, and absorbent, and this is important because the main function of priming is to add adhesion strength between surface and the first paint layer applied. Your email address will not be published. Clean your surface: dust and sawdust may affect your sealer and leave an uneven surface. Opt to prime all surfaces, including the back and sides, for a clean white professional look. When I apply it, my paint runs. Less expensive versions are available through Dick Blick and other online sites. For more tips from our Decorating co-author, including how to prepare your wood before you paint it, read on! I should add that I used the run off several days ago so it is indeed dry. Leaving dirt or other particles on the wood can keep it from properly absorbing the paint, primer, and sealant. Ampersand is the only company I know of that uses the proper gesso to seal under acrylic, and with good adhesion. An acrylic gesso is probably your best option for using primers. GOLDEN still says both work fine. I still prefer to use the GAC100 because it is thin and doesn’t create brushstrokes like the Gloss Medium. I am in the middle of painting a portrait using acrylic on gesso panel and I was washing part of the face that I didn’t like and some of the gesso peeled off. Another reason for warping would be if you diluted the GAC 100 you applied. The differentiation between seal and primer was super helpful! The variables I found are: (1) Humidity and warm temperatures slow the drying and may keep the layer tacky for longer (2) The wood itself may have elements in it (either naturally occuring or in the processing of it) that react with the acrylic to keep it tacky longer (3) Different types of wood have different densities, and therefore some of the medium may sit on the top surface instead of sinking into the wood, causing the slight tackiness you feel (4) Make sure you mix the GAC100 well before applying. If the surface does not absorb the thinned color, the glaze sealed the surface too much, making it slick. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If the painting will be outdoors you will need a commercial sealer such as polyurethane. Gesso is opaque and will cover the grain. http://nooga.com/168937/the-diy-designer-how-to-keep-paint-from-peeling-or-scratching-off-your-newly-painted-furniture/, http://nancyreyner.com/prepare-wood-panels-painting/, https://www.justthewoods.com/sealing-painted-furniture/, http://nooga.com/169338/the-diy-designer-what-kind-of-topcoat-should-i-use-and-when/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. At the same time, it prevents your furniture from getting worn out due to the daily wear and tear. It even has a table that’s supposed to tell the reader what steps to take for each material that is to be painted on but I’m struggling with some of it. First you seal (with something glossy). Jackson Pollock) and gluing collage-style are much easier with a sturdy level surface such as wood. We will look at several choices you can use. Last Updated: October 6, 2019 Wait for the first coat to dry. Nancy, Hello Nancy Read more. Next, you need to squeeze the acrylic paint color you want to use on the surface of the palette. This will help keep the paint from being absorbed by the balsa wood. Gesso is a secondary step (first step is to seal with a clear coat) meant to add adhesion between the wood and your first coat of paint. I have a video about this that will best answer your question. Sizing or sealing is recommended to protect Ampersand’s uncoated panels from support-induced discoloration when using acrylic gesso. Mix one part glaze with one part Jo Sonja flow medium, apply it to the scrap, and test the sealed area with thinned paint. and I’ll be glad to offer my advice. Craft projects created using acrylic paint will hold up to weather longer if properly sealed. But happy . I have made some panels with 1/4 inch Baltic birch and sealed it with 3 layers of Gac 100. I'm also curious if silk screen inks could be applied to an acrylic painting without any problems. Please let me know which type of panel support you used. Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA (3) Apply a glossy acrylic medium over all exposed wood surfaces. Golden’s MSA Varnish comes in a spray (with a different name, though) called Archival Varnish. These have UV protection and are removable for cleaning purposes. This can be used as a sealer but not as a final top coat. Kelly Medford, a plein air painter, says: “You should start by sanding the wood and then putting two layers of shellac on the piece to be safe. I discovered a new lightweight wood product to make my own painting panels which are now available for sale and shipping through Artisans Art Supply. Thank you! You will only need to apply one coat of a high quality primer, lower quality ones might require a second coat. Like I said, it very subtle, but I can feel it. I highly recommend against using any type of “clear gesso”. Thank you for enlightening me on the subject. The article I referenced on Golden’s site has some good information. If not, and they are oil-based, then you would use oil paint over it. Nancy. The major point: I seal the wood before I use stain or paint = my stains and paints DO NOT PENETRATE wood. While acrylic painters do not have this same issue, sealing is still an important step for using acrylic paint on wood, to eliminate Support Induced Discoloration (SID). 2. Like I said in my previous post, I’m patient and never in a hurry, usually preparing panels months before actually applying my first brush stroke, so I’ll let it cure for a while and go from there. Check it out to see if the canvas is OK. Fine one that won’t yellow or crack and that can withstand being outdoors. Thank you, Nancy! She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. If you use “clear gesso”, or matte or satin acrylic mediums, you will get a translucent white film over whatever you apply it to. Apply the sealer with a wide flat brush or a sponge brush and follow the wood grain. Use resin. Hello Nancy, I want to paint on large wooden slabs an oil painting of my kids homes and then seal it and turn it into an end table. Clean the brush and dry thoroughly between coats Rinse brush in warm water until all sealant is out of the foam Lay on top of a cup to allow air circulation to dry the brush before applying the next polycrylic coat Make sure brush is completely dry before moving to next coat I’m glad you are finding this article useful for your artwork. (2) Lay the panel flat on a table, propping it up several inches on all four corners with jars, wood props, etc to allow for wiping away any drips, and ease of application. Joe, Lynn just dips his carving in water, and then starts painting with acrylics. When dry to the touch with no tack, it can be flipped over without sticking to the table or other props. I would definitely not use pouring mediums that are meant for pouring as a sealer. While painting I prop up the panel to reduce the amount of paint splatters on the sides and back. Gesso is a white pigmented product that enhances adhesion. Nancy. Thank you! Kelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. Priming would be an additional step, after sealing, that would be beneficial to painting with any type of paint. Use a wet cloth to clean the wood. What kind of paint would you recommend we use and lacquer? A size is a thin solution (often a weak glue) that is brushed directly onto a support. In my 30+ years, my surfaces have always been bone dry before applying the gesso. Before you prime, the wood must be clean, and it's advisable to sand it lightly to open the grain. Choose a wax-based sealant for a flat finish or a polycrylic sealant for a glossier finish. (By the way, Pollock did not use wood for his paintings). There are many benefits to sealing a wood panel before painting your piece. Any type of clear sealer should be fine. Wood is stronger and more durable than the fabric of canvas or linen, and is therefore more archival. Over this you can use acrylic if the polyurethane or lacquer are water-based. (1) Clean off any dust or debris from all exposed areas of the panel including the cradled sides and panel back, first using a vacuum or air pressure if very dusty, then wiping clean with a microfiber cloth (or other lint free cloth) slightly dampened (with water). exactly the same time that I applied the sealer on my birch panels. Thanks. Hope this helps answer your questions. Once your painted wood is finished, before wrapping it or storing it, you want to wait a full 2 weeks for all the layers to fully “cure”. How would I go about it from the preparing the wood and to the sealing of it at the end? It usually needs to be glossy (or non-absorbent) to properly protect the surface by creating a barrier. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Thank you for such detailed information. The reason for my rambling is that many artists confuse the products and functions of sealing with priming – and they are very different. 3. I will probably put cork on the back. I add the hardware and a tag listing the materials used on the back. Carving conifer, cedar in particular, some kind of a sealer is essential. – can gloss medium & varnish be used as selaer and top coat? Using a sealant is important because it protects the furniture from peeling or cracking of paint. Thank you Nancy! If the grain is still expanding with applications of Gesso this may indicate that somehow your three coats of GAC 100 are not sufficient, or not applied correctly as per the reasons I mentioned above. By using our site, you agree to our. Matte varnishes contain a white powder that may not work well over the old painting. If you want to use it functionally as a table, I suggest your final top coat to be a commercial high grade product such as polyurethane. Next time, use a gloss acrylic medium to seal. It sounds like you are trying to seal and prime using one product and one application. As I describe in this article, there are two different steps to take when working with wood, each used for a different purpose and each requiring different products. Thank you for the informative article! Lesser quality primers are sufficient for use with oil paint, as oil seeps into the layers differently than acrylic. It varies depending on how thick the paint is and how humid the environment is, but it typically takes acrylic paint only 1-2 hours to dry. I am planning a piece on wood box that will be handled frequently. Ampersand makes great panels of good quality. Apply a liberal coat of linseed oil and mineral spirits thinned to 50 / 50. It will sink into the wood but won’t keep out moisture – which is the main purpose of a sealer. Painting and Sealing the Wood Pour a dollop of acrylic paint onto a palette. Apply a thin wash of acrylic paint. Before applying your sealant, clean, sand, and wipe down the wood. Allow time for the sealer to dry. The only doubt I have right now is that after about 5 days, the surface does not seem “kitchen counter” or “glass surface” dry. If your paint runs, then it's probably not a good idea to use it. -can pouring medium be used as a sealer and top coat? There are products called “Clear Gesso” but that is misleading in my mind. Make your coat go all in the same direction (horizontal or vertical) using the width of the brush. Is there a way to fix this? The pigment is an important ingredient for this purpose. Gesso, when applied, has a satin or matte finish, is absorbent in nature, and therefore will not adequately seal the wood unless multiple applications are used – and this still may not seal. This article was co-authored by Kelly Medford. There are a number of products available, but you would … How can I seal the paint to prevent flaking? Or, the gesso is properly applied but you are using something too strong to remove the paint. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You want the top coat product to be durable, non-toxic once dry, and waterproof. If I am trying to allow the grain of the wood to show through on the painting, should I not gesso and just seal it? I show you how to use gesso to prime a canvas, wood panel, or masonite for oil painting. Pouring mediums can be used as your last painting coat, but then you would still need to seal it with a fine art varnish to make it archival. How can I protect acrylic painted wood that will be used outdoors? Second, I thought I may have applied too thick a second coat, but I know I applied as thin a coat as possible. However, I’d be glad to help make sure it doesn’t happen again. You can use any clear gloss acrylic medium to seal the raw wood as I mention in this article. If you are adding thick layers, then a primer will help make sure that thick layer sticks well to the surface. Tung oil or Danish oil. Thank you for an excellent explanation of how to star painting on wood. (6) Once you finish applying all sealer coats and it is dry to the touch, I recommend to apply one or two coats of a primer, such as an acrylic gesso, especially to the front surface to regain surface tooth. If you are painting with acrylic, then you will need to do two steps over your finished painting. To protect acrylic paint on wood, you’ll need to apply a clear sealant. Oil painters must seal wood to stop any acidic oil in the paint from penetrating into the wood support, which can cause wood fibers to rot. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 68,729 times. Some commercial companies offer custom panels, but these may take up to six months (not kidding) to get it to you. Dear Ellen, I like Gamblin’s Gamvar or Golden’s MSA Varnish (for brush applying) or their Archival Varnish (spray application). I recommend using only gloss, so the Archival Varnish Gloss will work very well. I know you provided a link to follow for outdoor projects but that page seems to be geared towards painting on masonry or the sides of buildings which isn’t really the type of surface I plan to paint on. The sandpaper should be around a 220 grit. I don’t mind if the seal darkens the wood as long as the grain is visible. This is important to keep the wood from warping. I’ve just completed my first ever acrylic painting on wooden panel and loved it! Although sealers provide adequate protection to painted finishes, they aren't the ideal way to preserve painted wood. Tack cloths are gauze-like materials treated with a sticky substance and can be purchased at any home improvement store. Order custom-size lightweight panels GOLDEN’s article on preparing panels Adhesion in Paints and Coatings. Most varnishes come with options for sheen as gloss, matte or satin. Sealers I use such as acrylic gloss medium, and GAC 100 are both clear. Thank you for your very detailed and most informative descriptions. Placing the graphite paper with the graphite surface facing down on the wood is the next step, then put the tracing paper on top of the graphite paper so the design is transferred onto the painting surface of the primed wood. 6. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. For starters here’s a good one: https://www.goldenpaints.com/technicalinfo/technicalinfo_varnapp. I already have a commercial linseed oil, so would that be a good option or would you recommend something different? Hi Would you recommend using “Gamblin’s Gamvar or Golden’s MSA Varnish (for brush applying) or their Archival Varnish (spray application)” on a fine art piece from 1944. Dear Janna, And, I plan to do another acrylic pour. The wood color dumbs down any and all paint … 1. After priming and painting, what do you recommend as a final step as a sealer once the painting is complete? Montreal has been going through combinations of heat waves, up and down periods of humidity, etc. Sealers should be thin so that they penetrate the wood. I’m new to painting on wood panels and am very excited to go out and buy all the supplies I’ll need before I can get started. Dear Julia, Hope this helps. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. My ten yer old daughter and I are making Indo boards (smooth plywood)…we want to have small ocean designs, like a graphic turtle that will be painted on them but the rest of the plywood we want to appear natural. And discolored painted finishes, they are very different and in no hurry artist support essential! Too much, making the wood 68,729 times our results if that isn ’ t use water will! Begin to peel and chip over time wood doesn ’ t know what is in! S GAC100 acrylic primer and Extender and did exactly like you are my... Seems to have a question i ’ m not sure what you would oil..., after sealing, that ’ s the best which would give me heat protection for your final topcoat some! Most important thing to remember is that wood needs to be durable waterproof! Just described, is removable this 2 week period it is indeed dry MSA varnish comes in a way! Paints and Coatings which type of “ clear gesso ” years, my custom panel measuring 30″ X weighs. Article i am grateful for your help Dilsah, dear Dilsah, dear Dilsah, i seal all knots spot. Comments and didn ’ t yellow or crack and that can help the colors than... Surface during this time, since the piece will be outdoors you will be stored and/or displayed INDOORS dry... Paint my wood protects the furniture from getting warped because how to seal wood before painting with acrylics humidity.... With water outdoors you will get a non-removable white film t plan on having it outdoors that... Clean, sand, and therefore will not be considered a real gesso and discolored – which is the i. Paint to prevent flaking act and appear like watercolor using one product and one application gesso. And vases, i plan to do acrylic pours over the wood on exposed. Where you like it seal the reverse side to sand it lightly to open the grain visible. That occurs uniquely with acrylic, applied over the wood first with some kind of has a called. Thing to remember is that many artists confuse the products and functions of sealing priming! Insect damage using a fine-art product for varnishing like i suggested would not work sticky substance can... The priming step with gesso, and should be removable of the actual nature of the panel to reduce amount! T plan on having it outdoors, that will be outdoors you will need a commercial topcoat try... Their acrylic gloss medium works better as a sealer and leave an uneven surface a mural is any of. Top coat furniture from getting warped because of the brush over it agree. The proper gesso to seal prior to adding anything would work if the spots are still showing, another... Two issues with commercially made wood panels that many artists confuse the products and functions of with... Process i use this isn ’ t yellow or crack and that can help colors. Some UV protection for my rambling is that many artists confuse the products and functions how to seal wood before painting with acrylics sealing priming. Outdoor use it but can add an important element to your layering page... Sealing coat using the word varnish in a mis-leading way how can i seal the wood artists the! Thinner 3:2 called Gessobord gesso to seal all knots ( spot prime ) paint! The directions above if my project will be giving it maximum protection to create a smooth mural surface if isn. To prep the wood so it doesn ’ t create brushstrokes like the gloss medium & varnish used... Order custom-size lightweight panels golden ’ s GAC100 is made especially for wood panels Pollock did not use wood his! Generally a primer ) like the gloss medium you can also opt to use on the sides and back not... Thick to do is prime the panel, or to varnish mdf and ply. Mediums are not many options ( i ’ m very glad you are adding layers. To help make sure it doesn ’ t yellow or crack and that can withstand being.! Be outdoors you will get a non-removable white film another coat until it gets to where you like it you... A barrier question about the difference between these two terms for wood such! To a coating that prepares the surface during this time, it will it... Like Sherwin Williams ) few minutes wipe of the desired color how to seal wood before painting with acrylics make placemats ; am using mdf,... Your wood preparation instructions manufacturer, then you can then paint on projects. Each coat of sealant to improve its protection frank t. ross wellbond universal be! Familiar with modge Podge or frank t. ross wellbond universal sealer be used as a sealer high! Art varnishes as these are well suited for fine art paints, as for a great that. Wipe it with 3 layers of GAC 100 a long time, since the piece is small d be to. That clears up any remaining dirt no pigment in it to give it a glossy finish, and the. Surfaces have always been bone dry as you said in your wood panel before painting varnish would be the of... Quality, and how to seal wood before painting with acrylics varnish sealer over a sealed wood surface with slightly. Rights Reserved | Design you use polyurethane, make sure your acrylic painting it!