When you have completed your Decoupage project. You may be looking to seal the finished surface using something that dries clear, is waterproof, and offers further protection.
But when you are choosing the ideal sealer or finish to use for your Decoupage, is it possible to use a Varnish to seal your project?
So can you put varnish over Decoupage? Yes, you can use a Varnish to seal your Decoupage project and make it waterproof with a clear surface. A multipurpose Gloss Varnish that dries clear is suitable for many Decoupage projects and surfaces. Simply apply it to the final surface once it has dried to get a transparent, glossy finish.
Many Varnishes can be used for Decoupage if they can offer a clear or transparent surface once they have dried.
It’s a always good idea to use a Varnish for Decoupage if you need your items to have extra protection from water or damage. As varnishing the Decoupage surface can make your items more durable and waterproof.
How Do You Varnish Over Decoupage?
For Decoupage, if you want to seal your project and achieve a protective surface and waterproof finish. You may choose to use a Varnish such as Gloss Varnish to get a clear and durable surface.
Using Varnish to cover your Decoupage is a good idea if your items need extra protection or will be placed outdoors. As many Varnishes are durable once they have dried and provide a waterproof finish.
But how do you apply Varnish over Decoupage to seal the finish?
Here’s how to Varnish over Decoupage:
Step 1. Prepare The Surface For Decoupage
To get the best possible finish when using a Varnish on the final coat of your Decoupage. You first need to ensure that the surface you are applying your Decoupage to is as smooth as possible.
This helps to ensure the finished surface of your Decoupage is free from wrinkles, streaks, air bubbles, and any imperfections that may be hard to remedy later.
You should smoothen, clean, and flatten any surface you are planning to use for Decoupage. For some surfaces such as Wood or Metal, you can sand the surface before Decoupage using a fine 400 grit sandpaper.
Step 2. Glue Your Decoupage To The Surface
Once the surface you are Decoupaging is clean, dry, and smooth. You can now apply your materials such as paper, Decoupage glue, and glue down your designs.
Using a fine brush or foam brush you should apply your Decoupage glue and Mod Podge in thin, even layers to your chosen materials. Then let it dry completely between coats to get a smooth even finish.
Applying Decoupage glue in multiple thin coats and allowing it to dry between coats will help you to ensure the finished surface is smooth and completely glued down.
Step 3. Smoothen The Finished Decoupage Surface
When you have used Decoupage materials such as paper, fabric, or napkins. It’s a good idea to use a brayer or roller to lightly flatten and smooth out the surface.
This can be a crucial step if you plan to add a Varnish like Gloss Varnish to the final surface later. As you will want the finished Decoupage surface to be as flat and smooth as possible before applying Varnish.
Step 4. Let Your Decoupage Dry Completely
Before applying Varnish to your Decoupage you need to ensure that the Decoupaged surface and glue you have used has dried completely.
You should allow your Decoupage and glue to dry for approximately 24-48 hours before applying a Varnish.
If you add Varnish too soon and the Decoupaged surface is still wet. It may cause your Decoupage to shift, wrinkle or become white or cloudy when it comes into contact with Varnish and additional moisture.
So always ensure your glued Deccoupage surface is completely dry before applying a Varnish or Sealer to your project.
Step 5. Prepare Your Varnish
When you are putting Varnish over Decoupage, you need to ensure that the Varnish you are using is ready to be applied as a top coat.
Depending on the Varnish you are using to cover your Decoupage project. It may need to be gently stirred or loosened up before it can be evenly applied to the surface.
Spray Varnishes are usually fine to use as they are for Decoupage, as you will usually only need to shake them well before use and apply multiple coats.
But if you do have to stir your Varnish before applying it using a brush. You should try to avoid introducing air bubbles into the formula. As some Gloss Varnishes and clear Wood Varnishes can be prone to getting bubbles in the mixture from stirring.
Shaking or over stirring Varnish can make air bubbles become trapped in the mixture, which then inevitably transfers to the Decoupage surface and ruins the finish.
So you should ensure your Varnish is ready to be added to the Decoupage surface by gently stirring or preparing it for application. You want it to be ready for even application using a brush.
Step 6. Apply Varnish To Seal Your Project
Now that the Varnish is ready for application, you can apply it as the top coat on your Decoupage.
When using most Varnishes for Decoupage you should aim to apply multiple layers and coats. This helps to ensure you get even coverage over the top of your Decoupage project and seal the finish.
Using a fine brush, you should apply Varnish to the top surface of your Decoupage ensuring not to miss any of the surfaces. You can then let it dry between coats until it gives you the finish you are looking for.
The Varnished Decoupage surface should dry clear, transparent, waterproof, and be highly durable depending on the Varnish you have used.
If you are using a spray-on Varnish for Decoupage. Simply spray the varnish onto the surface of your Decoupage taking care to get an even and smooth application. Spray multiple thin layers and allow it to dry between coats.
What Varnish Do You Use for Decoupage?
The best Varnish to use for Decoupage is Gloss Varnish. As it dries clear when it’s applied in multiple coats and gives a durable waterproof finish. It also doesn’t go cloudy when it dries, which is ideal for many Decoupage projects.
Even though it’s usually preferable to use a Gloss Varnish to seal your Decoupage. The Varnish that you choose to use can depend on the finish you are looking for.
You can use Satin or Matte finish Varnish if you feel they would be better suited for your Decoupage project. As some Varnishes give a different look and appearance to the final dried surface of your Decoupage.
Most Clear Wood Varnishes can be used as they are highly durable and waterproof, which makes them ideal for use on Decoupaged items being placed outdoors.
However, for Decoupage it’s usually best to use a Varnish that dries clear or transparent and gives a smooth finish. This allows your project to be sealed, durable, and waterproof without affecting the colors in your design, especially if the Varnish is non-yellowing and doesn’t turn yellow when it dries.
If you don’t feel like applying Varnish using a fine brush is well-suited to your Decoupage project. You can use a spray-on Varnish or Acrylic Sealer to get similar results.
Can I Varnish Over Mod Podge?
The short answer is yes, you can Varnish over Mod Podge once it has dried using a Gloss Varnish or any other Varnish that dries clear. Even though Mod Podge dries to a fairly hard finish, it can still be a good idea to protect the surface and make it more durable or waterproof using Varnish.
For most projects, if you have used Mod Podge you should be easily able to apply Varnish to the final surface once it has fully dried.
Applying Varnish over Mod Podge can help you to ensure the surface is durable, waterproof, and protected from damage.
The best Varnish to use with Mod Podge is usually any Varnish that dries clear and can be applied in multiple coats over the top of Mod Podge.
You can also use Mod Podge Spray Acrylic Sealer to seal the finish of your project and make it more durable.
Can I Use Varnish Instead of Modge Podge?
For Decoupage, you can use a Varnish instead of Mod Podge or Decoupage glues to stick down your paper and materials. Even though Mod Podge is a highly versatile formula. In specific situations, Wood Varnish or Paint Varnish can offer a better finish than applying multiple coats of glue.
Despite Mod Podge being an ideal glue, sealer, and finish to use for Deccoupage due to its versatility. One of the main advantages of using a Varnish instead of Mod Podge is that it can offer long-term protection against water and damage.
Many Varnishes, including Wood Varnish, can be highly durable, waterproof, and provide further protection from sunlight, heat, or UV light.
This can make them a good alternative to Mod Podge, especially if you plan to use Varnish on surfaces or items placed outdoors. Gloss Varnish can provide a very similar finish to Glossy Mod Podge because it also dries clear and smooth.
However, there are Mod Podge formulas that do offer further protection from water, sunlight, and wear and tear. Mod Podge Outdoor and Mod Podge Hard Coat are two examples of very durable and highly water-resistant formulas.
So whether or not you use Varnish or Mod Podge for your project will depend on the specific project you are working on. Both are capable of providing a good finish, but Varnish should be used if you need a very durable and water-resistant or waterproof surface.
Can You Use Wood Varnish for Decoupage?
The short answer is yes, you can use Wood Varnish for Decoupage as it can be applied to a lot of different materials. Even though Wood Varnish is intended for use on wooden surfaces, it can still be used for Decoupage because it dries clear and leaves you with a durable, waterproof surface.
The Wood Varnish we recommend you use for Decoupage is a Glossy Wood Varnish. Simply because it dries clear and durable, and leaves you with a smooth waterproof finish.
However, it’s always a good idea to test any Wood Varnish that you are planning to use for Decoupage on a scrap piece of your project. This allows you to see how it dries and what the finish will be like.
Does Varnish Dry Clear on Decoupage?
Varnish will dry clear when used on Decoupage if it has a glossy finish. Satin or Matte Varnishes may dry cloudy or a lot more white than Gloss Varnish and finishes. So to ensure the Varnish you use for Decoupage dries transparent and clear, use a Gloss Varnish.
Sealing your Decoupage project using a Gloss Varnish is a great way to achieve a durable and clear finish. But you should always test any Varnish that you plan to use to ensure it gives you the finish that you want.
To get a clear finish using Varnish, you also need to ensure the glues and materials you have used for Decoupage are completely dry and ready for Varnish to be applied.
If you apply Varnish, even a Gloss Varnish to a wet Decoupage surface. This can sometimes cause problems such as cloudiness, dulling, or wrinkles on the surface.
So always ensure your Decoupaged surface is dry before applying your chosen Varnish to the surface. If applied correctly, a Gloss Varnish will dry clear and leave you with a durable, protective, and water-resistant surface.