The Framers Forum

Got a very good customer who does oil paintings on aluminium, usually about 1m square in size. He has asked us to find someone to put a spray lacquer finish on his paintings for him before they are framed and we are just after some advice to see if anyone can recommend someone to do this or has any experience of this kind of thing so that we can go back to him fully informed. Cannot be brush application as he doesn't want brush marks to show - must be spray application.

Any help gratefully received.

Thanks

The only thing suitable for coating oil paint is varnish formulated for the purpose. There are basically two types - the hard stuff and retouching varnish. The latter is intended purely for evening out any matt/shinny areas on the paint and can be removed with White Spirit. The hard stuff is meant for long-term protection and can be stripped with Acetone if need be. Comes in matt/glass/satin....
The hard varnish should not be applied on fresh paint or it will bond to the paint and will never come off easily. By fresh paint I mean 6 months absolute minimum. More if the paint is thick.

You can get it in spray cans. But if you know the right technique brushing it on does not leave brushmarks.

Forget using anything else. You could destroy the painting. Seriously.

Ok, thanks - he is coming in shortly so will have a good chat with him about this.

You could always put glass in front which would have much the same effect.

It would also collect all the bits that drop off if he hasn't prepped the ally properly.

All sorted - he's going to have a go on one himself and see how he does. Best of all it's not our problem anymore Still got all the framing to do, but that's the easy bit

As long as he doesn't return asking for the address of a good panel-beater.

Windsor and Newton supply varnish for use on paintings in spray cans. It's available in gloss, satin and matte.

I get it by mail order from Jackson Art Supplies, but I only stock the Satin and the matte versions as I don't like a high gloss on oil paintings.