Home › Forums › The Town Center › Café Guerbois › Help – need advice – varnished Monday & still sticky
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May 3, 2012 at 5:11 pm #989651
I used a spray damar varnish on Monday (4/30) on some acrylic paintings and they’re still sticky today! Does anyone know what I can do to speed up the drying time? Bring them outside or would that be bad because of the humidity? Leave them inside with the celing fan on?
Thanks,
MicheleMay 3, 2012 at 6:36 pm #1161786I’m desparate to get these dry by Sat morn. I’ve put two in the garage, two in the attic and two in the screened in porch. I’m hoping the heat of the first two places will dry the varnish and not hurt the paintings. As well, it’s humid outside (gulf coast – Alabama), so I’m hoping the humidity won’t hurt.
Any advice?
May 3, 2012 at 9:13 pm #1161785Other then putting them by a fan, I don’t think there’s not much you can do, the humidity can really increase the drying time.
Maybe someone else will have a better suggestion.The Purple Dog Painting Blog
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Find me on FacebookMay 3, 2012 at 10:04 pm #1161778I’m wondering how much varnish you sprayed on? I have used it on oils over the years and it’s non-sticky in minutes. Also as a fixative on pastels, but have to admit I haven’t used acrylics.
May 4, 2012 at 11:40 am #1161779I realize that my next suggestion is no solution to your present problem, but I can achieve a much thinner, and more even coat of varnish when I brush it on, rather than spraying it on. I gave up using spray cans of varnish about 20 years ago, for several reasons, that being one of them.
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https://williamfmartin.blogspot.comMay 5, 2012 at 12:56 am #1161780It’s pretty standard not to varnish when the weather is humid and I bet it is there. How dry are the paintings? Is it possible to remove the varnish or wipe it down? This is not my advice — I’ve never done it. Why don’t you post in the oil painting forum? I also agree — brush is best.
May 5, 2012 at 4:10 pm #1161781Hi,
Why damar ?
I’ve used damar on oils and also soluvar.
Acrylics dry fast, but if the painting still had some humidity, it can cause for the varnish not to dry.
I can only see two problems (either one of them or both): you didn’t let the paint dry enough time; you applied too much varnish.Mind that hands should be applied either wet on wet or letting the previous one dry before applying another one.
Next time spray sparingly. People want to look at your work, not see themselves reflected on it
Good luck,
José
I'm not lazy because I sleep until late. I just dream alot.
May 6, 2012 at 10:42 am #1161793I’m wondering how much varnish you sprayed on? I have used it on oils over the years and it’s non-sticky in minutes. Also as a fixative on pastels, but have to admit I haven’t used acrylics.
Even with spray on retouching varnish, this just isn’t true. It will stay tacky for days.
Is it usual to varnish acrylics?
Solvent = Leaner Oil = Fatter Drawing is the basis of art. A bad painter cannot draw. But one who draws well can always paint. (Arshile Gorky)May 6, 2012 at 11:06 am #1161782Even with spray on retouching varnish, this just isn’t true. It will stay tacky for days.
Is it usual to varnish acrylics?
Maybe not usual, but it should.
Namely because of their porous surface and because good varnishes have UV protection.Note that Brian said sticky, not tacky
I'm not lazy because I sleep until late. I just dream alot.
May 6, 2012 at 9:55 pm #1161787vmrs – Thanks so much for that suggestion! I have them under a ceiling fan and it seems to be helping (either that, or it’s simply time, lol).
Brian – I thought I sprayed lightly, but may have overdone it in spots.
WFMartin – Thanks so much for commenting. I think in the future I’ll try a brush on varnish. Which do you recommend?
bleu – You got it – it’s VERY humid down here. I read on the can “do not use in humid conditions” and thought yeah, right, that’s just not possible in the deep south. The varnish is removable with “white spirit” (whatever that is ?). But it seems to be drying, albeit slowly, so I think I’ll leave the paintings under a ceiling fan. I’m pretty sure the paintings were completely dry before I varnished. I paint acrylic in thin glazes and all paintings had been finished over a week before varnishing.
Jose – The can said it was for oil, alkyds and acrylic. I did apply it sparingly, quick passes at 10 inches away (see comments above to Brian). And it was an hour and a half after the first coat when I sprayed the second. I touched the can today and it’s sticky! Not a good sign! But the paintings are drying, thank goodness.
Freesail – Yes, I’d say it’s definitely in the tacky stage now on the tops. The sides are still sticky. Phew – guess that means the paintings are drying! I’ve sold paintings both ways (varnished and unvarnished). I believe it’s recommended to protect the surface.
Bringer – Yes, I agree.
Thank you all so much for your help. I really appreciate it. I’m so happy that the paintings seem to be drying as I really don’t want to try to remove the varnish. That doesn’t seem like an easy job; plus, I’m afraid that I’ll damage the painting.
OK, in the future, I think I’ll forego using this spray damar varnish (Windsor & Newton). SO – what do you all recommend to use instead?
Thanks!
Michele
May 7, 2012 at 12:33 am #1161791If your painting is of acrylic, why not just clear coat your painting with an acrylic clear coat? It drys fast and you get a choice of matte finish or gloss.
The one I use is a acrylic polymer emulsion. Oh yeah it comes in liquid and a gel. But The gel is best for mixing in to other mediums. If you use a gel as a clear coat it tends to give you issues. I prefer the liquid form. Also it doesn’t matter what brand you prefer since all of the liquid polymers are the same to me.
So long as it works and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to buy.http://ktigressscreativelog.blogspot.com/
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https://www.wetcanvas.com/members/98873/media/album/May 7, 2012 at 7:01 am #1161783Hi again,
You said: “And it was an hour and a half after the first coat when I sprayed the second”
Usually this is not an advisable procedure. Like I said, it’s either wet on wet and this means an average of 10 to 15 minutes in between coats, or a coat now and another on the other day; you must refer to manufacturer’s instructions.
If you apply a coat after 1h60mn, you risk yourself to cause wrinkle or the upper layer may not let the underlayer dry correctly and in due time.
José
I'm not lazy because I sleep until late. I just dream alot.
May 7, 2012 at 7:26 am #1161792Totally agree with Mr Martin…. “brush” rather than “spray.” I’m far from the expert he is but I use those disposable foam brushes…. and, by the way, if you wash them thoroughly after each use they can be used again….and again.
Ralph
"Oh what dust we raise" said the fly upon the chariot wheel
May 8, 2012 at 12:52 pm #1161788Snow tabby – thanks so much for suggesting that. I’m going to look up “acrylic clear coat” and specifically “acrylic polymer emulsion” (liquid).
Jose – the directions on the can said a second coat could be applied after an hour.
Ralph – thanks – I’m going to try using what Snow tabby said (acrylic polymer emulsion) and with a foam brush.
BTW, has anyone ever used Minwax Polyacrylic to varnish their canvas acrylic paintings? I’ve used this in the past and had no stickiness at all. But I’m wondering what the long-term prognosis is for that product. I did have cracking problems with it on one large canvas and called Minwax to find out if there was any remedy and they said they didn’t recommend to use it on canvas.
OK, just checked the paintings – they’re definitely drying now. Just a bit of tackiness here and there. Big phew!
Thanks, again!
MicheleMay 8, 2012 at 2:12 pm #1161790Is it dry yet ?
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