Artists nowadays are trying to find ways to make their works last for a lifetime. The clear coat has recently become very popular among artists as a way to preserve their art. Something many new artists question is if you can put a clear coat over acrylic paint.
A clear top coat can be applied on top of acrylic paint to preserve the paint and can be used on wood and canvas surfaces. Before adding the clear coat, make sure that the acrylic paint has dried completely and follow the directions on the clear coat bottle for the best results.
If you are a new artist and want some help understanding how to use clear coats, I’m going to provide some information on the best ways to use a clear coat, what surfaces it can be used on, and what brands to buy!
Acrylic Paint and Clear Coat
Acrylic paint is a very popular medium among most artists. After spending a significant amount of time on an art piece, artists want a way to preserve their pieces. One of the cheapest options that are the easiest to get your hands on is a clear coat. Most craft stores and online websites have clear coats that you can purchase.
Acrylic paint and clear coats work perfectly together as long as the clear coat is used properly and all instructions are followed. It’s actually quite common for a clear coat to be used with acrylic paint because it goes on very smoothly. When an artist uses a clear coat, this process is called “sealing” because the paint and other materials are getting sealed inside the clear coat. When assessing if a clear coat is the right thing for you, do some research about acrylic paints and what you’re using them for.
How to Apply a Clear Coat
It may sound like quite a process, but a clear coat is actually very simple to apply. There are a few different kinds of clear coats: some spray and some use a brush. Before using a clear coat, especially if you have never used that specific brand before, always make sure to create a test piece to get used to how the clear coat goes on. The following is a step-by-step process on how to apply both kinds of clear coats:
Clear Coat Spray
- Make sure the acrylic paint is completely dry before applying a clear coat.
- Make sure the surface is clean and free of any dirt or dust.
- Begin prepping your clear coat as instructed on the bottle.
- Hold your spray around six inches away from your work of art and begin spraying.
- Allow time to dry.
- Do up to two coats or whatever is recommended on the clear coat bottle.
- If there are any bubbles in the clear coat, you can get those out by taking a hair dryer and blowing the bubbles out with small amounts of heat.
Clear-Coat Brushing
- Make sure acrylic paint is completely dry before applying a clear coat.
- Make sure the surface is clean and free of any dirt or dust.
- Begin prepping your clear coat as instructed on the bottle.
- Pour clear coat in a dish or in small amounts directly on your work of art.
- Brush the clear coat onto the piece until it evenly covers the entire piece.
- Allow time to dry.
- Do up to two coats or whatever is recommended on the clear coat bottle.
- If there are any bubbles in the clear coat, you can get those out by taking a hair dryer and blowing the bubbles out with small amounts of heat.
What Can I Use Clear Coat On?
The clear coat is very versatile and can be used on many different surfaces. The two most common surfaces it is used on for acrylic pieces are wood and canvas. The sealing process is different for both wood and canvas, so make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle of the clear coat before applying it to a surface.
On both canvas and wood, a clear coat will either give a glossy or matte finish (depending on what kind of finish you buy) to your piece. This gives that little extra depth to the work of art while also sealing everything in so the painting can last for a long time. Both spray and brush clear coats will work for both wood and canvas.
What to Buy!
If you’re new to understanding how clear coats work, then you may be wondering what products are the best to buy for your work of art. There are many different kinds of clear coats on the market, each being very different. Some clear coats will be cheaper than others, so make sure you do some research on which clear coat will be best for your own piece.
The following products are commonly used and recommended by crafters and artists.
- Mod Podge: This is a clear coat that I have personally used a lot for both acrylic and other craft items.
- Golden Gel Mediums: This is one of the cheaper options.
- Clear Sealant Spray: Very commonly used for acrylics.
- Wax: This is not my personal favorite, but is universally used.
- Diamond Glaze: Water-based sealant, great for mixing.
- Crystal Lacquer: Great for adding dimension.
Each of these products can be purchased at your local craft store or online. Remember, each brand and kind of clear coat will do something different, so make sure you do your research on which clear coat is the best for you. Always test the clear coat before using it on your desired piece.
The clear coat is very commonly used on acrylic paint and is a great way to preserve your artwork and give it that extra depth that it needed. Make sure you do your research on which clear coat is the best for you and always test the clear coat before using it. Clear coats can be found at local craft stores or online. If you’re looking for a more expensive clear coat that will fit your needs better, contact your local craft store to see what they recommend.