How to Seal Diamond Painting
Posted by Lois Chan on
How to Seal Diamond Painting
You have finished your diamond painting, and you are wondering “Should I seal my diamond painting?” and the answer has always been different.
Today we are going to give you the answer.
The answer is: Up to You.
Underwhelming, I know, but whether or not you want to seal your diamond painting is entirely your decision. But in this article, we will help you make up your mind with a few points of considerations. Such as: are you willing to trade off some shine to protect your diamond painting kits, are you having problems with drills falling off the canvas, and even how you want to display your finished diamond painting?
Should you seal your diamond painting canvas?
It is not necessary to seal your diamond painting if you got your diamond painting kit from Craft-Ease. As our canvas uses high-quality poured-glue adhesive that has the power to hold on to the diamond drills for a long time. You just need to make sure that all of the diamond drills are pasted properly.
You also do not need to seal your diamond painting if you are planning to display your finished diamond painting masterpiece on a frame that has glass protection on it. The reason is, it will not be exposed to dust and air, and the diamonds will be protected by the glass. Storing your diamond painting behind glass will already reduce some of the shine from it, and adding another layer of sealant will further reduce the reflectiveness of your diamond drills.
Another reason that you might not want to seal your diamond painting is if you are planning to give the finished canvas to someone else and you will need to mail your painting. As a sealed diamond painting will become stiff, and almost impossible to roll. The Sealant will become a hard glue-like layer that will give the diamond painting that protection, and it will not look pretty when broken.
If you still want to seal your diamond painting, here are some reasons why you might want to.
You can seal your diamond painting if you are planning to display it without glass, like on a magnetic frame or mounting the canvas directly on a wooden board. For more options of how you can frame your painting, you can head on over to our article about how you can display your diamond painting!
The reason that you might want to seal your diamond painting if you are planning to display it in the open is that it can help protect the canvas against any falling drills when it is accidentally touched, and from dust and debris from sticking to the exposed part of the adhesive in between the diamond drills. This gap between drills is especially exposed when working with round diamonds.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of sealing your diamond painting?
I think the most important thing to remember when deciding to seal your diamond painting is you are trading off some shine for protection. Whichever product you eventually choose to seal your diamond painting, sealing it will take away some of the shine from your diamond painting. Some products are better than others, but it is fair to say that you will be losing some shine and sparkles. This is especially true with the pearlescent effects that AB diamonds give off, as you will be applying another coat on top of the pearl coat that gives it a distinct glow.
On the other hand, sealing your diamond painting is also beneficial. As it gives a layer of protection to both the canvas as well as the diamond drills. Since the sealant will seal the diamond in with the canvas by acting as a clear cement, the entire painting will be stiff and unified with no gap. This makes the surface of the painting easier to clean, without the fear of drills falling off. Some sealant also has a waterproof property that will make it even easier to clean with a damp cloth when needed.
Steps on how to seal your diamond painting
If you decide that you want to go ahead and give your diamond painting the extra layer of protection, here are some steps on how to do it to make sure that you have the maximum results.
Flatten your canvas - this step is crucial, as you do not want to permanently harden a wrinkled canvas. We have a guide on how to flatten your diamond painting canvas.
Roll your diamonds - this is to make sure that all of the diamond drills are placed down on the canvas by applying even pressure all through the painting. You can buy a silicone-covered craft roller, or you can use your kitchen wooden rolling pin by covering the canvas with a thin towel or t-shirt first. You do not want to accidentally scratch your diamonds.
Make sure that your canvas is as clean as possible - you do not want to permanently trap any dirt under your diamond art sealer. This is why we recommend sealing the painting soon after you have finished it.
Work in a well-lit and well-ventilated room - as most sealants are quite harsh chemicals that might release some irritant.
Tape your canvas on a flat and even surface
Brush on or spray the sealer of your choice. Use a flat brush with soft hairs so that you can get into grooves between diamonds and apply a thin even layer of the sealant. You can also use a craft scraper or even an old credit card to gently scrape off any access sealer.
Allow the sealer to cure and dry. - every product will specify how long they need to be left out to dry. But we recommend leaving it overnight at least.
What to use to seal diamond painting?
The materials available to you will vary to where you live. But here are 2 general types of products that you can find.
Spray-on sealer
This sealer comes in an aerosol bottle and can be easier to apply. This kind of sealer is easier to use, and will not turn yellow over time. And will leave the canvas slightly softer and a little flexible.
A famous brand of this kind of sealer is ModPodge Spray Acrylic Sealer, you can find it on online eCommerce platforms, as well as your local craft stores. Another alternative that has properties for both spray-on and brush-on sealers is the Tombow Aqua liquid glue.
Brush-on Sealer
This sealer usually comes in a tub or tin that requires a brush to apply the product. There are many kinds to choose from, from the finish to the actual materials.
Some known name that has been tested by many crafters are ModPodge Super Glossy, DuraClear Gloss Varnish, MinMax Polyurethane, and MinMax Polycrylic.
There is no best way to seal your diamond painting, as it is a matter of preference, and that is different for everyone. So you will have to do your own trial and errors to find the best finish that you like!
Happy Crafting!
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