Grumbacher offers everything you are looking for in a varnish in a convenient, easy to use aerosol can. If desired, a final wash with soap and water can be done to completely remove residual varnish from the brush. When you are done varnishing, wipe as much Gamvar from the brush on paper towels, then rinse the brush in a small jar of Gamsol and pat dry. Helpful. How to Paint Over Varnish. Polyurethane is typically hard, durable and glossy, and it is these qualities that make a finish vulnerable to chips and flaking. It's okay to paint acrylic over a varnished acrylic painting in small moderation - for instance, if you need to do minor touch-ups here and there. After the new layer of acrylic dries, carefully varnish over the painting again. From what I understand, retouch varnish is really a diluted varnish. Reply. Still have varnishing questions? Disclaimer: The above information is based on research and testing done by Gamblin Artists Colors, and is provided as a basis for understanding the potential uses in established oil painting and printmaking techniques using the products mentioned. If the varnish brush stiffens up between uses, simply allow it to soak for 5-10 minutes in the Gamsol jar to dissolve any dried varnish. Brush the varnish vigorously as it dries. Use a stack of paper towels to remove varnish from the brush throughout this process. While we believe the above information is accurate, WE MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND WE SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES (INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHERWISE) THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF A PRODUCT APPLICATION. Some combinations of oil paint and mediums create a “closed” surface resulting in Gamvar beading up. This places a temporary coat onto the oil painting which will help to protect it and revive the colours. Using circular motions, dissolve a small area of the varnish and immediately remove the dissolved varnish with another dry cloth. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about varnishing paintings. The Perfect Picture Varnish. Brush apply & Do not spray. Turpentine is the solvent of choice for removing Damar Varnish, and that can tend to remove some of the paint, also, because Turpentine is a rather aggressive solvent. It would seem to me that Gamvar is perfectly fine to use with acrylics and there isn't much to worry about when the varnished needs to be removed in the far future for cleaning and reapplication. Gamblin Artists Colors cannot be sure the product will be right for you. You can repeat this, because Gamsol evaporates away you can do it a second time. To keep your varnish brush free of oil and color, we recommend using a separate jar of Gamsol only for rinsing out the brush. Developed in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art, Gamvar goes on water-clear, stays water-clear and can be easily and safely removed with Gamsol. Gamblin fully supports this wax application as an alternative protection method. The type of paint to use does not depend on the type of primer applied. Specifically designed to apply Gamblin Gamvar Gloss, Satin, and Matte. While we believe the above information is accurate, WE MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND WE SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES (INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHERWISE) THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF A PRODUCT APPLICATION. Take a clean lint-free cotton cloth and wet a corner of it with Gamsol. To encourage a thinner application, add 10-20% Gamsol to the varnish before applying. + Note: If your house was build before 1978 do not sand or otherwise disturb the substrate – you may want to have a trained and competent professional painter do the work as there may be lead present. It can be removed with Gamsol, a very mild solvent. I’d love to update it with fresh paint and new hardware, but I’ve heard that you can’t get good results painting over stain. For some oil paintings, that might take two weeks, for others, 2 months. This means that artists can apply a full final varnish before rushing paintings out the door to galleries. Gamvar … If the varnished surface still feels tacky after several days, the varnish has been applied too thickly. To successfully paint over lacquer finishes, you need to pay close attention to adequate prep work. Don’t do this, oil paint needs time to dry. Best to wait 3 – 6 months, but you can varnish with Gamvar as soon as the painting is dry to the touch, or if thickly painted, when it is firm underneath the surface of the painting. We recommend a process called “oiling out” prior to using Gamvar. Gamvar Picture Varnish is a beautiful, lustrous varnish which imparts a satisfying aesthetic to paintings, and can be used as soon as a painting is touch dry, as it has the unique quality of letting paintings breathe. (I had to varnish in the garage, which I'm sure exposed my paintings to lots of dust.) You can also use Gamsol to create a retouch varnish with Gamvar but I suggest doing this in larger amounts and mixing it together in a small mason jar to have it on hand. Gamvar Picture Varnish saturates colours in your painting and gives your work a unified and protective surface. For years, I've been using, and recommending GamVar Varnish as a final varnish for oil paintings. See removal instructions below. Most painting varnishes are designed to be removable, including damar. Do not spray. Therefore, if you are looking to paint over a surface with lacquer as the finish, ensure that you sand the surface before you can go ahead with the application of the pain. When applying Gamvar to a heavily textured, impasto style painting, pay extra attention to areas where the varnish “pools”. It’s far superior to exhibition varnish in this regard. “the only products we offer that will be suitable for use over paint would be the Polycrylic or the Water-Based Helmsman Spar Urethane. Does not yellow with age or become more difficult to remove. Our 3-step guide below explains how to paint over varnish, preparing and finishing woodstained or varnished surfaces effectively, without all the tedious sanding, using Zinsser products to prime, seal and decorate quickly. It’s far superior to exhibition varnish in this regard. We recommend applying Gamvar with a flat natural-bristle brush. The ratios I've seen online are anywhere from 1:3 to 1:5 of Gamvar to Gamsol. (I had to varnish in the garage, which I'm sure exposed my paintings to lots of dust.) A single thin coat of Gamvar usually dries tack-free in 18-24 hours. Allow Gamsol to evaporate completely before continuing to paint. We recommend dedicating a brush for varnishing with Gamvar. Apply a matte finish on top of the glossy one using either a brush-on application or a spray varnish. You'll need sandpaper or deglosser, primer, and paint. jars. It has been painted white with Cuprinol paint and will be kept inside, not outside. Gamvar dries purely by solvent evaporation. Painting over varnish is a great way to modernize and revive old furniture. Gamvar will begin to tack up in about 15 minutes. Hope you found this experiment helpful. See EPA information here to learn about lead paint cautions and concerns.. Available in the following sizes: 4.2 fl oz, 8.5 fl oz, 16.9 fl oz. There is standard advice that you can paint over … Traditional dammar varnish and other natural resins make a durable top layer but yellow and darken over time and become increasingly difficult to remove for purposes of cleaning a painting. I have used several types of varnish from several other manufacturers, and nothing comes close. No paint was removed and the paint layer seems unharmed. Yes, this is possible. Gamvar is virtually odorless and ready to apply. If you’ve followed all the rules of oil painting: Fat over lean. You may have heard varnish used as a generic term for any finish, but traditional varnish describes an older form of finish that contains alkyd resin, oil, and solvents. The Perfect Picture Varnish. If your painting already has varnish on it, remove the varnish layer prior to “oiling out.”, For more information on surface quality including a video demonstration on oiling out, please visit Controlling Surface Quality: A Holistic Approach. Varnish protects the painting from dirt and dust and evens out the painting’s final appearance, making it all equally glossy or matt. You don’t want to be breathing in those fumes! The new paper surface makes a … Can be confusing this question, is it Oil base or waterbase varnish you are wanting to cover, also is it a clear or coloured finish. Gamvar labels for your paintings can be downloaded here. Blotting extra varnish off the brush onto a paper towel before applying is an excellent way to achieve this. Over the years, dirt and dust will stick to the varnish, rather than the painting. Finish isn't important, matte or satin would be preferable over gloss. Also, beading up may indicate that too much varnish is being applied at once. Simply dilute the full-strength GamVar with 3 equal parts of Gamsol Do not follow the directions that are provided with the GamVar, which suggest that you dilute it with 5 parts of Gamsol. Yes, you absolutely can paint over varnish with latex -- provided you properly prepare the surface first. Don't flood the painting with varnish. Quick Links Click below to jump to section: Zinsser Paint Woodstain & Varnish Products The Benefits Step 1. As Denis said, put gamsol on a lint-free cloth and make circular motions over (I suggest) the entire painting, to remove it all. Developed in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art, Gamvar can be easily and safely removed with Gamsol. (Varnish applied too thickly may retain a slightly tacky feel even after it has completely dried.). Uneven varnish coatings are generally due to varying rates of absorbency in the paint layers. Brush apply. Disclaimer: The above information is based on research and testing done by Gamblin Artists Colors, and is provided as a basis for understanding the potential uses in established oil painting and printmaking techniques using the products mentioned. This is the information we couldn’t fit on the label. Developed in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art, Gamvar goes on water-clear, stays water-clear and can be easily and safely removed with Gamsol. In that case, leave the glossy varnish alone and apply a layer of matte damar over it. Their cold wax medium consists of beeswax, odorless mineral spirit (OMS), and a small amount of alkyd resin. The other determining factor has to do with the relative absorbency of the paint surface. Wipe the brush dry and proceed with varnishing. Gamvar Matte reduces surface sheen while maintaining the deepest values in your painting. Ensure the paint is completely dry, then apply a solid, even coat of varnish using a roller or paintbrush. Paint the trim with a water-based or oil-based paint. Brush the varnish vigorously as it dries. Gamvar is virtually odorless and ready to apply. Blending from new to old varnish is important to avoid creating a glossy “halo” when varnish layers overlap too thickly. Although many express that you can paint over existing finishes I feel that the paint will be uneven. I have used Bullseye many times over varnish without detriment, in old brochures it used to say it was suitable to use over varnish but the later brochures say not, perhaps the base products have changed to comply with VOC who knows! ... brand of Chalk paint & will NOT be sanding just to experiment & see if this other brand sticks better to the shiny varnish. When using Gamvar Satin or Gamvar Matte, it is best to apply a single thin layer and not to apply multiple applications. Vacuum and Solvent Wipe. A key feature of a true picture varnish is that it may be removed later to clean or restore a painting. Oiling out is a process where you mix portions of turpentine or other mineral spirits to a portion of linseed oil, and apply over the painting. Slightly overlap strokes back and forth at this first stage. Please contact us. Gamvar Picture Varnish gives you a fairly long working time, which means you don’t run the risk of messing up the areas you have already applied varnish to.It stays wet for quite a while before it starts getting tacky. Thank you! Therefore, we urge product users to carefully read the label, instructions and product information for each product and to test each application to ensure all individual project requirements are met – particularly when developing one’s own technique. Varnish can be used to protect, preserve, and enhance paint. A light sanding may be needed for the look you are trying to achieve. Gamvar should be removed before adding fresh paint. A synthetic-resin gloss varnish developed by conservation scientists at the National Gallery. Available in the following sizes: 50mm (2″) 75mm (3″). If you re comfortable with your spraying skills and have a good can of varnish that sprays the contents evenly, apply the varnish in quick, even passes. Gamvar Gloss goes on water-clear and stays water-clear. Painting over old varnish with Chalk Paint This dresser had been painted in the past and a coat of varnish had been applied to make it more durable. You can confidently paint and varnish your paintings with Gamblin's conservation quality resin varnish for oil, acrylic and alkyd paints! Surface Preparation Step 2. We recommend using a dry brush to wick out excess varnish. Application of Gamvar Satin and Gamvar Matte requires mostly the same technique as shown in the Gamblin Picture Varnishes video demonstration with the following additional recommendations: The ideal varnish brush is the Gamvar Varnish Brush. 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Look new again it … retouch varnish provides excellent protection to a lower level! Varnished painting ( on canvas? ) bright white be easily and safely removed Gamsol!