Learn more about faux finishing and faux painting from Faux Design Studio - Chicago's Premier School of Decorative Arts

Chicago's Premier School of Decorative Arts

101 N. SWIFT ROAD • ADDISON, IL 60101 • PH: 630-627-1011 • FAX: 630-627-1012 • EMAIL

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions over the last few years. Simply click on the question to go to the answer.

Have a faux finishing question that's not addressed here? Feel free to call, fax or email us.

What can I use to glaze over existing brickwork?

What is the highest temperature Aquabond™ can withstand?

How can I keep spots, such as dark knots in knotty pine, from bleeding through a painted finish?

Can I use Aquabond™ over raw wood cabinets that have a coat of nitro-cellulose laquer on them?

Can Aquagard™ be used over an oil based sanding sealer?

What paint does Aquaglaze™ work best with?

Is AquagardT flexible enough to be used on canvas?

How can I avoid getting dark patches around a Custom Imprint™ in my final faux finish?

How long must Aquaseal™ dry to fully seal a wall?

Can "Mildicide" be add to Aquabond™ to make it mildew resistant?

When tinting Aquabond™ with Aquacolors, what is the maximum amount that can be used?

Can Custom Imprints™ be used on canvas or fabrics?

For bonding and rust preventative purposes, what is the best product to use on brand new cast steel (no finish, no polish, fresh from the mold)?

Can Imprint Coat™ be thinned with water?

Will Aquagard™ or Aquathane™ stand up to bleach or bleach based cleaning products?

What is the best clear topcoat to use on outdoor wicker furniture?

What can I use to glaze over existing brickwork?

A mixture of Aquacreme™ and Aquacolor™ may be used and scrubbed into the brickwork.

What is the highest temperature AquabondT can withstand?

Aquabond™ should not be used in environments exceeding a constant 200 degrees F.

How can I keep spots, such as dark knots in knotty pine, from bleeding through a painted finish?

Use a product such as Kilz™ first, then apply 2 coats of Aquabond. If color still shows through after drying, repeat entire procedure.

Can I use Aquabond™ over raw wood cabinets that have a coat of nitro-cellulose laquer on them?

Yes, simply sand the area first with 220 grit sandpaper.

Can Aquagard™ be used over an oil based sanding sealer?

Yes, as long as the sealer is completely dry (48 hours) and no mineral spirits are present.

What paint does Aquaglaze™ work best with?

Aquaglaze™ works best with a good quality 100% acrylic eggshell finish latex paint.

Is Aquagard™ flexible enough to be used on canvas?

Yes, in fact the canvas can even be rolled for easy storage or shipping.

How can I avoid getting dark patches around a Custom Imprint™ in my final faux finish?

You must make sure that both the Custom Imprint™ and the Imprint Coat™ are thoroughly covered with Aquaseal™. Use two coats if necessary. Let the Aquaseal™ dry completely before proceeding. (The dark patches you see occur in the final finish when the Imprint Coat™ was not neutralized and seeped through the subsequent layers.)

How long must Aquaseal™ dry to fully seal a wall?

To fully seal a wall, Aquaseal™ must be allowed to dry overnight (12 Hours). The maximum cure time for Aquaseal™ and Aquagard™ is between 21 days and 30 days, depending on drying conditions, to achieve maximum hardness.

Can "Mildicide" be added to Aquabond™ to make it mildew resistant?

Yes

When tinting Aquabond™ with Aquacolors™, what is the maximum amount that can be used?

Do not exceed 12oz of Aquacolor™ per gallon.

Can Custom Imprints™ be used on canvas or fabrics?

Yes. First seal the surface with Aquaseal™ on both the front and back of the canvas or fabric. Apply the Imprint as usual and seal. Aquagard™ can be used to finish the project. Washing is not recommended.

For bonding and rust preventative purposes, what is the best product to use on brand new cast steel (no finish, no polish, fresh from the mold)?

Coat steel with an Epoxy primer, then once it is thoroughly dry it can be painted with Aquabond™ and proceed with the decorative finish.

Can Imprint™ coat be thinned with water?

Yes, up to 25%.

Will Aquagard™ or Aquathane™ stand up to bleach or bleach based cleaning products?

Yes, Aquathane™ and Aquagard™ have good chemical resistance and will stand up to most household bleaches.

What is the best clear topcoat to use on outdoor wicker furniture?

Aquathane™