- To prevent absorption
- To tack down loose materials
- To create a barrier against air bubbles
Should I Seal My Artwork Before I Resin?
- Sealing to prevent resin from absorbing into your project.
- Sealing over materials to prevent them from becoming loose.
- Sealing over objects that may release air bubbles into the resin.
- Choose a sealant that dries clear: Even better, choose a sealant labeled UV Resistant or Non-Yellowing. The sealant should be working in conjunction with ArtResin’s UV light stabilizers and not against them. Different sealants yellow at different rates and when a piece appears to be yellowing, it can often be the sealant under the resin that’s yellowing.
- Choose a sealant appropriate for your artwork:
There are sealants specifically suited for photographs, for charcoal drawings, for alcohol ink and so on, so read the label to ensure that you’re choosing the right product for your project. - Pros: Helps retain your diamond sparkle over time. It’s waterproof, non-yellowing, and dries very quickly. Also, you’re still able to roll up your finished canvas.
- Cons: Doesn’t help cement drills to the canvas; any gaps between drills will remain unfilled.
- Mod Podge Super Gloss: We recommend the Super Gloss variety to preserve the shininess of your Diamond Painting.
- Mod Podge Matte Gloss: Only use matte sealer spray if you want your Diamond Painting to be LESS shiny!
- Mod Podge Pearlized Gloss: This flavor will give your painting an extra pearly sheen to it. It’s meant to add an extra little sparkle.
There are lots of sealants available on the market, from spray sealants to brush on sealants but no matter which one you choose, there are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind:
Should I use a brush-on sealant or a spray sealant?
Depending on your artwork, brush on sealants and spray sealants both have pros and cons. The material you plan to resin should determine the most suitable sealant for your project.
Brush on sealants are easy to apply, offer excellent control for fine details, you can work it into nooks and crannies on objects like wood or collage work, and it offers great protection: typically one coat will suffice. On the other hand, it has a slower dry time, you may see brush strokes, it could damage delicate objects like dried flowers or butterfly wings, and can smudge drawings or ink.
Spray sealants dry quickly, provide a nice even coating without brush strokes, you can cover a large area in a short period of time, and many spray sealants are non-yellowing and offer UV protection. On the other hand, you need drop cloths to prevent everything around you getting covered in sealant, they can have a really strong odor, you will need to wear a mask if you’re not working in a well-ventilat
ed area and you may require multiple coats to get really good coverage.
3 Reasons For Applying A Sealant
Epoxy resin can seep into projects, causing dark or wet looking spots in paper, wood, fabric, cork, terracotta, clay, cement and other porous mediums. If the material darkens in a way you don’t want, applying a sealant to act as a barrier against absorption is a good precaution.
Brush-On Sealers
Brush-On Sealers present an all-in-one solution to preserving your Diamond Painting for years to come. They come in a variety of finishes and consistencies depending on your personal preference. Pros: Functions as an all-in-one glue, sealer, and finish. Water resistant, so perfect if you’re mounting your kit on a foam board or framing without glass – makes it easy to dust. Cons: The big con is that some shine will be lost after sealing. Also, you won’t be able to roll up your paintings after the sealer has been applied. 
Our Recommendation: DecoArt’s Triple Thick Glaze. In our experience, it has the perfect consistency, makes the canvas firm and sturdy, and retains as much sparkle as possible . For a slightly cheaper alternative, you can’t go wrong with the classic Mod Podge. You Should Know: Using Mod Podge Glitter reduces the shininess of the diamonds and replaces it with the ‘micro-fine’ glitter in the sealer. Some people might not like the look, so be careful when choosing finishes.
As a safety precaution, put pets and children in a separate room while you apply the sealer. Step 1: Make sure all diamonds are properly set by applying weight or using a rolling pin.
Use the same technique you used initially to flatten out your canvas when you first got it. The goal is to make sure all diamonds are completely flat and locked tight to the canvas adhesive. Pro Tip: Place an old tee shirt on the canvas to avoid scratching or breaking any diamonds. Step 2: Dip the tip of your craft brush into your jar of brush-on sealer.
You can use just about any type of brush – foam or bristled. Our official recommendation is the Mod Podge Paint Brush Applicator (pictured) – it’s just the right size to give you lots of control over where you apply the sealer.
Step 3: Begin to apply the sealer to your canvas in broad strokes.
The sealer will go on a thick white at first and look a bit like glue, but will become more transparent as it dries. Apply a thick, but full coating – no need to see globs of the stuff spilling over! The glue will make its way it between each and every diamond, hardening over the next day.
What About Spray Sealers?
Aerosol spray sealers are used to coat the finished Diamond Painting in a crystal-clear finish. They do not function as a glue, so they don’t fill the gaps in between your diamonds (like tile grouting!).
Our Recommendation: We personally use Mod Podge® to seal all of our glass-framed Diamond Paintings. It’s super easy to apply (just spray it on), non-toxic, and comes in different finishes and formulas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use sealers with Partial Drill Kits?
A: Yes, but go with a smaller brush! As much as possible, you want to avoid getting sealant on the parts of the canvas that have no diamonds.
Q: Can I use sealers with Round Drill Kits?
Yes – sealing Round Drill kits works just as well as Square Drill.
Have any helpful tips about sealing your Diamond Painting? Leave them in the comments section!
How to Mount, Seal & Varnish a Watercolor Painting
In this tutorial I will show you how to mount, seal and varnish your watercolour paintings.
This is an entirely new way to protect and display your watercolour paintings which is very exciting for such a classic and traditional medium.
Are you ready to take the plunge? Let’s do it!
Why do we need to protect a watercolour painting?
1. As the painting is water based it is easily damaged by water or a liquid spill.
2. Damp air will be absorbed into the watercolour paper attracting mould.
3. Oxygen in the air and will deteriorate the paper and cause it to become brittle.
Until recently, watercolour paintings have been framed behind glass for protection.
Disadvantages of framing behind glass
1. It must be framed with a mat board between it and the glass surface to prevent condensation and moisture build up inside the frame. This add an extra cost to the framing process.
2. Framing behind glass is expensive.
3. Glass is smooth which causes reflections when trying to view the artwork.
4. A glass frame is heavy so often needs extra caution when hanging to ensure the artwork doesn’t fall off the wall.
4. The potential of breakage during transport between galleries and exhibitions is much higher with glass framed paintings
5. The cost of packaging and posting to clients and galleries is much higher.
Then there is the potential damage by framers who are ignorant and/or careless about watercolours and the handling thereof. Even the most careful framer can spill coffee over your painting by accident while working.
Would it not be better to be able to frame and/or suitably protect your watercolours yourself, knowing that no one else will damage your precious paintings?
I have good news for you. There is a way to protect and seal your watercolour paintings.
This method makes your watercolour paintings waterproof which allows you to even frame them glassless if you want.
Recently I spoke to an art supplier in my city and told her about it. She was very sceptical and said she would be afraid to damage the surface of her watercolour paintings. (She is also an art teacher.)
A few days later I took her the finished article of the project while she had a class on the go. I poured water on my painting and rubbed my finger over it with no damage to the painting, she also tried it and was speechless.
