Finishing Your Canvas Print With Lacquer

Canvas prints are a great way to turn your favorite photos into fantastic works of art. This is mainly because canvas is very durable and can last for several years. Unfortunately, no matter how durable canvas is, it is also prone to damage. The image printed or drawn on it could fade, particularly if the canvas art is always exposed to sunlight.

Fortunately, there is a solution for this. Finishing your canvas art with lacquer can protect the painting from fading and scratching, thereby increasing its durability. A lacquer finish can also enhance a canvas print's quality.

When ordering a canvas print of your favorite photo, you can ask your service provider to apply a lacquer finish to your canvas art. If they do not offer this particular service your can apply the lacquer finish yourself. The process is fairly simple. Here is how to finish your canvas print with lacquer:

First, gather all the things you will be using. You will need the following items:

Lacquer
Spray gun or brush
Or
Lacquer in a spray can

Start by preparing your work space. Cover the area you will be working on with plastic or newspaper. You should also cover other nearby items that you do not want to be spattered with lacquer. Your work space should be well-ventilated and without open flames nearby.

Pour lacquer into your spray gun. Spray guns are available at your local hardware store. You can opt to use lacquer in a spray can. However, using a spray gun has an advantage: a better, more even coverage. You can also use a brush-on lacquer. Pour a generous amount of lacquer on shallow dish. This is where you will be dipping your brush.

If you are using a spray gun, test it first by spraying it right onto the newspaper or plastic. This will give you an idea of what the gush of lacquer will be like.

Before you start spraying or painting your canvas print with lacquer, first make sure that the ink or paint of the print is completely dry. It may be a smart move to wait for about three days before applying the lacquer finish to make sure that the ink or paint has completely dried. Otherwise, the lacquer could smudge it.

Once you have ascertained that the ink or paint is completely dry you can start spraying or painting your canvas print with lacquer. Start at a top corner and spray or paint evenly across toward the other corner, then down, and then work your way back to the side where you started from. Continue spraying or painting lacquer in this manner until you have covered the entire surface are of your canvas print. If you are using a brush, work quickly and spread the lacquer as evenly as possible.

Do not go back to other areas that you have already applied lacquer to. Also, avoid applying a thick layer of lacquer on the first coat. If you prefer a thick layer of lacquer, you can apply a second coat. However, do not apply the second coat right away. Let the first coat of lacquer dry for one to two days and then apply the second coat.

Izabella Harris is an expert when it comes to home decorations and arts. She is good at making canvas prints and arts. Currently working with CanvasWorld, she intends to share tips about canvas prints information and more.

Original article