finish after painting

MHarnett · #1 11-10-2007, 10:54 AM

How does everyone finish their carving after they paint them. I have had carvers tell me that after they paint in acrylics the paint dries into a plastic coat and you do not need to put on a protective clear finish. While other carvers have told me that to protect the painted finish, even acrylic, I should apply a clear final finish. I have just started using acrylic paint so I am not sure what to do.

I used to use flat casein paint because I liked the final flat look and did not mind if the carving aged. The problem with casein paint is the color changes as it dries. I recently started carving song birds for which the color choice and application can make or break the final carving. I have found that one can carve a nice bird and then not paint it well and end up with a so so carving. With this in mind I switched from casein paint to acrylic paint because the color you mix and paint with is color that remains after it dries. Now that I have a finished bird should I final coat it?

AlArchie · #2 11-10-2007, 02:12 PM

You can definitely put on a clear finish coat......either polyurethane varnish, lacquer or any one of several other finishes. Of these you can chose, gloss, semi-gloss, satin, or flat finish. You will also find that if and when you do, the colors you applied with the acrylices will "bloom" and really take on brighter hues. Color will be the same but a lot more brilliant.

I like the satin poly varnishes as they keep the same sheen as the acrylic paints (well, maybe a tad shinier). Spray or brush on, whatever turns your crank.

Al

Eddy Smiles · #3 11-10-2007, 06:09 PM

Like Al explained, there are many, many options to putting on a top coat. Some leave a flatter finish than others. It all comes down to personal preference. The best thing to do is to just try the different options to see which one you like best. Or if you belong to a club see if some of the members will let you sample what they use.

susieq · #4 11-11-2007, 05:23 PM

Ceramcoat makes a very nice "flatt" acrylic finish. They call it a varnish but it doesn't seem to change color on you. It comes in an 8 0z plastic bottle and is sold in the same section of hobby stores as the acrylic paint. It does dry flat. I have used it for years and I love it. But.....when applying it, do not shake the bottle first. rock it back and forth gently to mix up the varnish. When applying it, brush only in one direction, not back and forth. Most of all, take your time applying it.

Shaking the bottel or brushing back and forth causes bubbles in the finish and you will spend the whole time trying to brush out the bubbles. Other than that it is a great product and all of my carvings for many years now have had that as the final coat.

MHarnett · #5 11-14-2007, 09:49 PM

Thank you for all the suggestions. It appears that all are in favor of a final coat or at least trying it and see how I like the look, so I will. As for joining a carving club, well I am in a carving club and that is where I got both opinions. Some of the guys put on a final clear coat and some do not. Either way, with a final clear coat or not, the final look of both techniques look good when they are first completed. I was wondering how they will look several years from now and which is easier to clear, a clear coat of varnish or just acrylic paint.

I think I will try the creamcoat first because of the flat finish, and then maybe if that does not look right I will try one of the satin poly's. Thanks again for the info, I was unaware of the creamcoat product.

Mitchell · #6 11-14-2007, 10:01 PM

There have been many suggestions before on this subject and you can find them with a quick little search.

However, the appearance is pretty much a personal preference - meaning what someone else may like may not be appropriate for you. Therefore, I STRONGLY suggest that you try a few variations until you find something that you like. Make a few test pieces to evaluate the variations that may interest you.

I would like to make a request (not just to you, but to anyone) - please post something on what you find during some of these trials. Good "REAL" information would be very beneficial to all.

redbird46 · #7 11-17-2007, 03:10 PM

I found that I didn't like using boiled linseed oil and problems with the amount of gloss and changing the looks of the carving ruled out that kinda finish. I read in WCI where someone recommended what I finally settled on.......Watco makes a liquid wax in Natural and Dark in pint or quart cans. My favorite is I used a jar and mix a little Dark in with majority Natural liquid wax then use a big brush to totally coat the carving and let it air dry. Later you buff it and it leaves a nice finish and protection and the Dark wax gets into the small crevices around eyes/lids etc. and really makes a caricature look more realistic. If you feel that it needs a little more darkening you can always add more Dark wax and recoat and buff until you are satisfied. The liquid wax really makes your acrylic paint job look great!
Hope that adds another finishing solution for you.
Norb

PS: I also never mix/thin my acrylic paints with water as the experts claim it breaks the paint binder and over time will cause the color to fade? My method is this; Minwax Water-based Stain base (what they use to mix the custom stains from the chart) if you want a slightly glossy finsh after drying and Minwax Water-based PreStain to coat the unfinished wood and then to mix with the acrylic paint to get a nice finish without any gloss.

Mottles · #8 11-17-2007, 03:51 PM

For a final finish on a carving I use Deft semi-gloss or satin at least two coats. I haven't tried the Watcowaxes yet, but plan to at some point. I have a neutral wax and would like to get some darker wax also to mix together.
Kathy

Eddy Smiles · #9 11-17-2007, 05:32 PM

Susieq... Have you been able to find the Delta Ceramcoat Flat Varnish in any size larger than 2-oz? I've looked....Michaels, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's...etc... I've found both satin and gloss in the 8-oz size but not flat. I've even wondered how I could take the gloss or satin and add something to make it flat? The last time that I bought Flat I used a Michael's 50% coupon so it didn't hurt all that much but it sure would be cheaper if they sold it by 8-oz size.

susieq · #10 11-17-2007, 07:23 PM

Eddy,
I buy it in an 8 oz bottle at Michaels. It is on the same isle as the 2 oz bottles of paint but across the isle. I have never had a problem buying it. It is called a Matt or Matte finish and I love it. I have been using it for nearly 15 years and still have some of the carvings I first put it on. No change in color or any other problem with it, but it is only for indoor use. I hope you can get some. Remember, no back and forth with the brush. Just work in one direction and rinse your brush in clean water frequently (just like you were using paint), pat damp and continue working.