Decorative Finishes Part 2 Glazes

Decorative finishes is the process of laying a translucent film of colour over another coloured surface.

Glazes

In today\’s market most decorative finishes come in pre mixed acrylic glazes which are easy to use and apply and these are the most widely used products by both professional and D.I.Y. painters. However, we can make our own glazes. There are many formula for making a good glaze mixture. Remember there are two main categories of glaze:

Water (Acrylic) and Oil

You should use the mixture that best suits the job you are doing. Each type has its particular characteristics, large areas require a glaze that will \”hold up\” and not dry too quickly. It is important that the solution you are using has an extended drying time so that it will hold a patterned effect, which in turn enables decorative finishes to be created.

Many painters like to make their own glazes from tried and tested formulas.

Oil Glaze

Painters usual glaze formula

Ix part turps,

1 x part linseed oil,

1 x part varnish.

(Driers or terebene if required, may need to be added. Be careful not to use too much driers .Only a quarter part of driers is needed.)

Colour with universal tinters.

N.B: Traditionally, China clay was sometimes added.

• The advantage of using oil paints is the availability of thousands of colours which can be re-purchased at any time.

•. White paint may be tinted by the painter with universal tinters.

• If you are glazing a vertical surface and the glaze tends to sag, just use less thinner in your mixture.

• Remember, painters usually make their formula then apply it to a test area, points to observe are:

• translucency of the formula
• consistency of glaze
• workability of glaze
• drying time
• colour

Water Glaze

Painters usual glaze formula

Ix part interior acrylic paint (Flat, low sheen or semi Gloss)

Ix part water

(N.B: Acrylic clear additives or household detergent may be added for translucency and

retard the drying time).

• These glazes dry much faster than oil based formula.

• Not too sticky – therefore does not pick up dust like an oil glaze would

• Several glazes may be applied over the surface in a day, enabling the job to be completed quicker. Note thin coats of clear acrylic may be required between applications.

• Ideal for small areas and decorative panels, forced drying techniques may be an advantage.

• Does not yellow

• Traditional formula for water glazes were:

3 Parts Stale Beer,3 Parts Water, Parts Powdered Pigment

For more information about Marbling or any Painting and Decorating tasks please Call Bloomin’Good Sydney Painters on 1800 204 145.