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David McKay's avatar

Gary, your mention of waxing peeked my interest. I work with egg tempera and have recently been using a wax medium (Dorland’s) to finish my paintings with. I have been curious about trying it on watercolours as well. Do you need to spray anything on the wc first before waxing them?

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Gary Custer's avatar

David, I haven't sprayed my watercolors with anything so far, I usually apply 3 thin coats of Dorland's wax, letting dry, then buffing each layer. Some people have said they use a UV spray first before waxing but I don't.

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David McKay's avatar

Gary, I assume that you rub the wax medium on. I have heard of a process of dissolving it in mineral spirits, and then brushing it on?

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Gary Custer's avatar

Yes, I rub it on, straight from the jar. I use my fingers. I tried with neoprene gloves but it's hard to feel the coverage. So far haven't had any allergic reactions to the wax, but I only use it once a month or two. If I was waxing every day I might go back to the gloves.

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David McKay's avatar

Thanks Gary. That is what I do as well.

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Barbara Simmons's avatar

I have finished several watercolours by glueing onto a prepped surface like birchwood cradled panel sealed with GAC100. I use matte medium as a glue as it is archival. Once dry, you coat the surface of the watercolour (no other fixative needed) with cold wax medium and gently buff off the excess. Done! A matte finish, repels water and preserves the painting.

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David McKay's avatar

Thanks Barbara. Since I last posted, I pulled out a small (not so good) watercolour and rubbed on a layer of Dorland’s wax medium. I will buff it tomorrow, and probably repeat that process in the coming days. Thanks for your input.

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Ed valdes's avatar

David, I just realized your the egg tempera painter from Canada. I believe you and I are the only egg tempera painters here. I varnish with Krylon mate finish. It leaves the surface looking much the same as the semi gloss surface in unvarnished tempera. I’ve never used wax medium. Have you sprayed with Krylon.

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David McKay's avatar

No Ed, I haven’t used anything yet except the wax medium. So far I like it a lot. I’m afraid that the mat varnish might change the appearance, even although very slightly.

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