Decorative Finishes Part 6: Advantages and Disadvantages of acrylic and oil glazes

Please find following part 6 of our article

Advantages and Disadvantages of acrylic and oil glazes.

Acrylic glazes

Advantages

1. Dries quickly therefore it does not collect dust giving a cleaner finish.

2. The coating is extremely thin and for this reason gives surface flatness and smoothness.

3. Colours do not darken through oxidation.

4. Colours are extremely transparent.

5. Speed of completion of work.

Disadvantages

1. The medium dries. too quickly to be used on larges areas.

2. It is not easy to maintain evenness of colour at the end ofmoulded panels.

Oil glazes

Advantages

1. Dries slowly, allows ample time for manipulation of pattern. \’Can be modified to suit weather conditions.

2. Suitable for large areas.

3. Gives more depth.

Disadvantages

1. Slow drying, needs over night to harden, a 2 or 3 day process.

2. Can yellow over time.

Decorative Finishes Techniques

1. A coat of glaze colour must be applied over the prepared base coat. It must be brushed out, spread evenly and laid off carefully.

2. The stipple brush must be loaded and the entire surface stippled to an even finish. This in itself is a traditional finish, which may be further enhanced by working the stippled glaze into a pattern by other methods. Glazing on textured work and carved mouldings (often referred to as a \’glaze and wipe\’) is also popular.

 

• After applying the glaze, in the normal way; the highlights are wiped off leaving the base colour showing through, and a deposit of the glaze colour in the quirks and indentations of the ornamentation.

There are many methods by which glazing may be achieved, as long as the painter knows the basic principles involved. Experiments can be done, with only a few set rules to be observed, the finished result is what counts.

As stated so far both oil and water medium are used in decorative finishes, each have their own advantages and limitations.

Tools used to produce a broken colour or decorative effect

There are various tools used to produce broken colour/decorative effects. Some of these items are easily obtainable and inexpensive, while others are difficult to find and are not cheap. The following tools are used to create these finishes:

A natural marine sea sponge Used for effects known as \’sponging\’.

A wad of crumpled plastic Used for creating effects known as \’bagging\’ and \’strata\’

Chamois cloth/leather Used for creating effects known as \’ragging\’ and \’rag rolling\’.

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