How To Prep
Do I have to prep my furniture before painting?
Prep is not a bad word! It is the foundation to you having a successful painting experience! It is simple and doesn’t take too much time. Everything you need to know is in this helpful link here and this video too!
Every piece of furniture needs a little prep – even if it’s just cleaning. Think of it as an assessment of your piece, you may not need to do much, but it’s better to start your project off with the right foundation for it to last. Don’t worry- prep is easy! Follow these simple steps to ensure you get the best possible results every time. You may only need a quick wipe down to remove dust, and you may not need to follow all of these steps, but if your piece requires it, be sure to follow in this order:
Most of the time all you will need to do is
CLEAN -> PAINT
However depending on your particular piece/ surface and previous coating, you may need the following to be thorough.
CLEAN -> REMOVE WAX ->LIGHT SCUFF SANDING ->PAINT
CLEAN
Using Fusions TSP Alternative, this will remove any grease, or dust, making sure that your piece is ready to accept paint.
REMOVE WAX If you’re painting an old heirloom piece of furniture, it’s possible it had a wax coating for protection applied a long time ago. You will want to remove any Wax on your piece using Odourless Solvent. If you suspect your piece has wax, you can usually tell by giving a light sanding to it and if the sand paper gums up and you’re getting wax building up, you will want to stop and remove the wax using Odourless Solvent (Mineral spirits)
LIGHT SCUFF SANDING
Sanding is only necessary on high gloss finishes or when you are trying to remove stubborn coatings such as Teflon or fire retardants.
PAINT
Paint it beautiful! Pick any one of our gorgeous colours, be inspired and paint it!
NO PRIMING NECESSARY – Most of the time
You do not need a primer with Fusion Mineral Paint. If you are trying to prevent bleed through or knots from coming through you will need a specific tannin blocking primer called ZINSSER BIN Shellac based primer.
If your project is dark and you are wanting to go to a bright white colour, consider using a transition colour such as Sterling for your first coat. These lighter mid-tone colours will act as a colour transitioning primer and make the switch to pure whites easier.
To block out bleed-through from specific wood species such as mahogany, we recommend one to two coats of a Shellac-based primer like Zinsser BIN! It is white, so keep this in mind if you plan to distress your piece as you may need to reconsider the distressing technique. For extra troublesome wood knots apply pure Shellac, followed by Zinsser BIN, then apply Fusion Mineral Paint™ . If pure Shellac is not available, ensure to use 2-3 coats of Zinsser BIN on the knots.
What surfaces can I paint with Fusion Mineral Paint?
Can I paint over Oil based Paint?
Absolutely!
It is best practice to clean with TSP Alternative, and if it is a glossy oil based coating, then give it a light scuff sand. Fusion Mineral Paint will adhere very well!
* Do not scuff sand if you think it is Lead based paint.
How To Prep furniture using TSP Alternative
Clean using Fusions TSP Alternative
Usually the only prep required before painting furniture is a good cleaning of the surface using our TSP Alternative.
This safe and easy-to-use no rinse formula will ensure your piece is squeaky clean so you can Paint it Beautiful for long lasting results. Highly efficient, it removes oil, grease, fingerprints, stains and other contaminants, which will improve the adhesion and the look of subsequent coatings.
Our TSP Alternative is a phosphate free, non-hazardous degreaser that is safe and easy to use. It is a no-rinse formula making it easier to use than other products on the market. This highly concentrated formula allows for excellent value from one bottle.
HOW TO USE IT A little goes a long way. Just add 2 capfuls into a litre of water for the best cleaning solution. This is a no-rinse formula, so just wash down and let it dry! During the cleaning process rinse or change your rags as needed. If your rag looks dirty with your first cleaning, clean out your rags as needed, and continue to clean the entire piece again until your rag is no longer dirty. Continue cleaning and changing to new rags until there is no more dirt. You may need several cleanings to remove excessive dirt. You know you’re done cleaning when there is no more dirt coming off the piece, and it feels squeaky clean. Let your piece dry, then paint!
How to test for wax residue?
Before you do any painting, you will want to remove any Wax on your piece.
If you suspect your piece has a previous wax coating, you can usually tell by taking a light sand paper to the surface and if the sand paper gums up and you’re getting wax balls building up, you will want to stop and remove the wax using Odourless Solvent (Mineral spirits).
You can also take your fingernail and drag it across to see if anything builds up under your nail; if so, it is probably wax and needs to be removed using Mineral Spirits or our Odourless Solvent.
How do I remove wax?
Use Fusion’s Odourless Solvent.
Apply it onto a cloth, then gently rub your furniture to remove the wax. This will dissolve the wax to help it come loose from the surface and onto your cloth.
It removes waxes from surfaces for prepping furniture. It cleans used wax brushes. Can be used to remove sticky residue from price tag stickers and more. It’s just a great PREP product to have on hand at all times.
What is Odourless Solvent?
Our Odourless Solvent is also known as Odourless Mineral Spirits
If you have heard of White Spirits, the Odourless solvent is certainly less toxic. Odourless Solvent/Odourless Mineral Spirits have been refined to remove the more aromatic and toxic compounds compared to White Spirits/Mineral Spirits. Because of this, our product is a more gentle solvent, since the removed compounds are generally quite strong as a solvent (though very unhealthy!).
The process this product goes under is a high refinement of 99.9% of the aromatics removed. It is possible that even other grades of “odourless mineral spirits” come in a variety of levels of purity. With this product it is guaranteed to be as pure as it gets (smallest possible levels of aromatic and toxic compounds).
Do I have to sand my furniture?
It’s never a bad idea after cleaning with TSP Alternative to give a light suff sanding, however it isn’t necessary. When you scuff sand it allows more for the paint to grip onto.
It is necessary on high gloss finishes or when you are trying to remove stubborn coatings such as Teflon or fire retardants.
For a glossy piece of furniture, a light scuff sand with medium / fine grit to de-gloss surfaces would be wise.
It is important you only sand a clean surface.
You should also sand any rough spots to ensure a super smooth paint finish.
If you think this could be an old lead paint, do not sand, as lead particles are toxic.
Do I have to prime?
No. Fusion is self priming.
If the colour you are using is fairly similar to the existing finish, or if there are no stains, knot holes, or other issues, go right ahead and paint!
If your project is dark and you are wanting to go to a bright white colour, consider using our Transition product. Made of recycled pigment Transition gives you high hiding coverage. The purpose of this product is to take you from a dark colour to a light colour in fewer coats of regular Fusion Mineral Paint. Making the switch to pure whites easier.
Tips To Paint Light Over Dark
Light over dark is very typical these days, we all want that fresh clean look and what better way to brighten up a space than with a fresh coat of an off white or crisp white paint!
You can use Transition! Made of recycled pigment Transition gives you high hiding coverage. The purpose of this product is to take you from a dark colour to a light colour in fewer coats of regular Fusion Mineral Paint..
Transition doesn’t have the same adhesion or durability as our regular Fusion Mineral Paint as it uses recycled pigments but that’s why it’s approx. half the price! Transition is not a primer and DOES NOT seal or block against resin or tannin bleed through, and should be used on surfaces ready and prepped
The number of coats you need to apply depends on the colour you start with. Here is some more info of the best tips from Jennylyn creator of Fusion Mineral Paint: Watch Now
What Is Bleed Through And How To Stop It
Bleed through is when the wood tannin’s show through your paint. This happens with woods like Mahogany or Cherry typically. This will happen to any and all paints, the only way to stop it is by using a tannin blocking primer.
To block out bleed-through from specific wood species such as mahogany, we recommend one to two coats of a Shellac-based primer like Zinsser BIN! It is white, so keep this in mind if you plan to distress your piece as you may need to reconsider the distressing technique. For extra troublesome wood knots apply pure Shellac, followed by Zinsser BIN, then apply Fusion Mineral Paint™. If pure Shellac is not available, ensure to use 2-3 coats of Zinsser BIN on the knots.
Do I need Ultra Grip?
Ultra Grip™ makes painting the impossible, possible! It is rarely ever needed as Fusion Mineral Paint can adhere easily to most surfaces such as glass, plastic, metal and more without a special primer or Ultra Grip.
It is typically used on Melamine, Laminate, Thermofoil and highly detailed high gloss areas that can not be scuff sanded.
You will know if you need ultra grip by doing a simple test. Try to apply a small amount of paint to your surface. If you get lacing, paint separating, this is the effect that you will see when paint is unable to adhere to a surface.
When required, apply a very thin coat of Ultra Grip™ after you have cleaned your surface and lightly sanded where possible. Ultra Grip™ is a milky white colour, but dries clear. Allow Ultra Grip™ to dry for 12 hours, then continue with Fusion Mineral Paint™.
*** Caution*** Ultra grip should be applied with a very thin application as it easily holds texture. We recommend a sponge for application or a microfelt roller., of a fine quality brush with a very thin application.
WHAT IS ULTRA GRIP?
It is considered an ultra adhesive primer and allows for Fusion Mineral Paint™ to adhere to surfaces that are typically not for painting, such as melamine or thermo-foil. Fusion™ adheres well to clean most plastics, metal, and glass without requiring this additional step.
Ultra grip only comes in 500ml which covers approx 75sqft. If you have an already existing finish, you probably don’t need Ultra Grip. Fusion works very well on previously finished surfaces with proper prep. A really good clean and a good scuff with sandpaper will be acceptable for good adhesion.
When do I need Primer?
95% of the paint jobs will never require a primer. The only time you need a primer is to stop bleed through if there are knots. To seal those, use a Shellac based Zinsser primer.
You may need to use our Ultra Grip is painting a super slick surface such as melamine or thermofoil, it acts like an ultra adhesive primer for very difficult surfaces.
Coverage
Many are often blown away by the coverage of Fusion Mineral Paint!
1 Pint can often cover several pieces of furniture!
Painting your kitchen cabinets? Plan on 3-4 pints in total!
This link will show you how much coverage you can get with Fusion Mineral Paint.
Colours
With over 50 stunning colors, you’re bound to find one that suits you!
Our beautiful Fusion colour card is painted to ensure you get an accurate depiction of each of our stunning Fusion Mineral Paint colours. They can be ordered online here.
You may also want to grab a Fusion Fan deck! This Fan Deck of large colour swatches has our entire collection including the metallics. Don’t see the exact color in the Fusion range you’re looking for? There are also 50+ easy to follow recipes showing brand new colours. It accurately depicts 114 colours to help you choose for your project and Paint it Beautiful™. A handy size of 2″ x 5″ this Fan Deck is the perfect colour choosing tool, especially when picking fabrics, comparing shades, finding matches to existing projects, etc.
The descriptions and color pairings on the back of each color offer you inspiration to let your creativity run wild.
We have created custom color recipes so you can achieve a range of colors outside of the current FUSION™ offering. We have two types of recipes that are easy to follow along!
Cure Time vs. Dry Time
Our paint is a water-based non toxic paint, that doesn’t have VOC dries in it. It takes 21 days for the paint to cure properly and be it’s toughest. It can be touched up if there are any scuffing, during the 21 day cure time, be sure to treat your project gently.
Dry time is usually 30 minutes – 2 hours. After this point, you can add another coat.
Click here for more information about cure time vs dry time.
Re-Coat Wait Time
It’s best if you can wait approximately 30 minutes – 2 hours before applying another coat of Fusion Mineral Paint. The paint needs a good amount of time to dry before applying another layer over top of it. If the temperature and humidity is very neutral, and the paint is drying well, you could re-coat in 30 minutes. If you start to re-coat and notice you’re pulling up the base layer and activating it with your second coat, then wait a little longer.
How long after painting can I top coat?
Depending on how many coats of paint you applied, and what type of top coat you will be choosing, you maybe want to wait 8-12 hours before adding a top coat. To be safe, giving the paint more time for the water to evaporate, before adding a top coat such as Stain & Finishing Oil, or Gel Stain and Top Coat. If wanting to apply a Furniture Wax, just wait 1-2 hours once the paint is dry to the touch and you can apply it at that time.
If you have waited a long time, like weeks to top coat, go ahead and add your additional coat at any time, there is no limit to when you can apply it.
Why do different colours have different consistency?
It’s perfectly normal for different colours to be a slightly different consistency
Each and every ingredient in our formulation is carefully selected, evaluated and tested to the strictest quality control measures to ensure a superior performing paint. Each batch goes through rigorous quality control ensuring that the paint will not separate or harden in the container for 7 years. We are able to achieve this by using only the best available ingredients on the market. Our formulation is 100% uniquely ours, formulated from the ground up with each colour having a slightly different consistency and weight depending on the wonderful mineral pigment used.
Click here for more information.
Which colors required more coats and why?
It’s perfectly normal for different colours to require different coats for coverage.
For a purer pigmented color such as Fort York Red, Renfrew Blue, Liberty Blue etc these pigments offer vibrancy, but not the best coverage. These colours do not have the heavier covering pigments in them like iron oxides, this would greatly affect the colour making it duller and less vibrant and pure. It’s a bit of a trade off – pure more vibrant colors, however more coats are required. Typically 3 coats is required for these types of colours.
You can add a base colour under to help out. if you happen to have it on hand- if not don’t worry about it, just apply an extra coat of your colour! It will cover well after several coats.
Fort York Red – try 1 coat of Cranberry underneath.
Liberty Blue or Renfrew Blue – try 1 coat of Homestead Blue or Ash underneath.
Whites also require about 3 coats for solid coverage. You may wish to apply a coat of Sterling a mid tone grey wen going from a dark surface to a lighter one to cut down the number of coats of white needed.
Mid tone and dark colours are usually 1-2 coats tops. These colours have a lot of great covering iron oxdies which is why they need less coats.
How To Paint
How To Distress
Overview
Distressing a piece of furniture makes it look worn and old – but on purpose! It is done by removing some of the paint, especially in areas that would be prone to a lot of wear and tear (handles on drawers, the seat of a chair, etc.)
Fusion™ is made from 100% acrylic resin. This is what makes it more durable than most other paints and gives it that built in top coat. Therefore, distressing becomes more difficult the longer it is left to dry., be sure to do your distressing shortly after painting, just as it is dry to the touch.See below for great tips on how to achieve the perfect look with our Beeswax Distressing Block or the wet sanding technique!
Beeswax Distressing Block
Perfect your distressing technique with our 100% pure beeswax block. Take control of your finished look with ease and style!
HOW TO USE IT For exact placement of distressed lines and edges, press the wax along the edges where you would like to see the distressed antiquing effect between layers of paint. Simply rub the wax block in the areas you want the paint to look distressed. Anything that is applied on top of the waxed areas will easily distress with a little bit of sanding.
You will notice this resistance once you are giving your piece a light sanding at the end of your application of all layers of paint. The paint underneath the wax will remain in place, and any paint applied on top of the wax will come off effortlessly, allowing for the perfect distressed look.
Wet Sanding / Distressing
Wet sanding is an amazing and easy to use technique to remove brush strokes and give your piece finish the smoothest feel ever!
How to wet sand: allow the paint to dry for at least a day. Spray with water, then take your wet sanding sponge of at least 600 grit and in circular motions, gently start to rub the surface.
You will see a bit of the paint pigment colour coming off onto the sand paper. Take a dry rag and wipe back. Continue to your desired look and feel. You can wet sand very lightly between each coat of paint you apply to really reduce brush strokes. For distressing, use the same technique but with more pressure.
Do I have to Top Coat over Fusion Mineral Paint?
No! Fusion has a very durable built in top coat. It is stain proof and water resistant. It is a washlable finish once cured.
On high traffic areas you are welcome to add an additional top coat to increase the sheen.
Due to the nature of the matte finish, sometimes darker colours can pick up more dust from fingers, leaving marks behind. Simply wash away with a damp cloth, or add a top coat such as our Beeswax Finish ( all natural beeswax & hemp oil blend) , Furniture Wax or our Stain & Finishing Oil in Natural for a deep rich effect.
If applying a top coat over dark colours, be sure to use an oil based finish like our Stain and Finishing Oil.
If applying a top coat over a light colour or white – we reccomend using our non-yellowing waterbased Matte or Glossy Tough Coat.
We have many top coats to choose from, be sure to read through each of them to see which is best for your project.
Everything you need to know about Top Coats is in this video!
Would I ever need a top coat on FMP?
Fusion Mineral Paint is made with the finest quality of ingredients, and the highest grade resins boasting a highly durable built in top coat – meaning your piece will be very durable for everyday use, however, sometimes adding a little extra protection for ease of mind.
FMP is stain and water-resistant. Dries in 30 minutes for light use, cures in 21-30 days for maximum strength. For regular maintenance and cleaning, a mild soap and water is recommended.
When cleaning this matte finish, if you are too rough with the surface you may burnish it, which increases the sheen however creates inconsistency in the finish.
Good to know, due to the nature of matte finishes, they tend to show dust specifically on darker colours, increasing the sheen will alleviate this from occurring.
What's the best Top Coat over Dark Colours?
The easiest product to use to enrich a dark colour, we recommend our Beeswax Finish an all-natural beeswax & Hemp oil blend
Gel Stain & Topcoatis also a great finish for a very high traffic areas. The “Patina” is our clear coat.
Stain & Finishing Oiladd a beautiful sheen to your dark colours, and great protection. Use the Natural ( colourless ) or the Ebony is going over black for an even more intensified black.
Our Water based Tough Coat in Matte or Glossy can be applied as long as applied very thinly. If applied too thick, it can go cloudy over darker colours. So apply sparingly.
What's the best Top Coat over Whites?
Our Waterbased non-yellowing Tough coat in Matte or Glossy will not yellow your whites.
It is not recommended to use our Gel Stain & Top Coat or our Stain & Finishing Oil over whites as they will slightly yellow.
What are high traffic areas that may require a top coat?
High traffic areas: Dining Table Tops, Flooring, Cabinetry. Areas that require lots of washing and cleaning. An additional top coat will not hurt, although it isn’t necessary, it will add another layer of durability on top of Fusion Mineral Paint, however we find this is really only done for peace of mind more than anything.
Low traffic areas: Wardrobe, Side Table, Wardrobes, Dressers – essentially furniture not exposed to daily heavy washing/ cleaning. It is not recommended to add an additional layer of protection on these surfaces unless going for a specific look that a tinted wax or other top coat could add, Fusion Mineral Paint is more than durable enough. Add a top coat if you wish to enhance the look or change the sheen.
What is SFO? Stain & Finishing Oil All-In-One
Stain & Finishing Oil All in One Wood Finish is Eco Friendly and easy to use. This stain & top coat combo offers exceptional durability in high traffic areas like table tops, kitchen cabinets and even flooring.
Can be used on bare wood, or over previously painted surfaces for a faux effect. Use theNatural colorover Fusion Mineral Paint colors to increase the sheen and offer superior durability.
This Stain and Finishing Oil All in One is your go to solution to bare wood to show off the grain, yetchange the colourto your desire. Comes in 6 gorgeous colours. Very easy to use, low odour and Eco Friendly! Apply it with a brush, or rag, and wipe away the excess evenly within 10 minutes of applying.
Can you paint over Hemp Oil?
If you have used Hemp Oil on a surface and wish to paint over it, there is no guarantee that you can. It must be fully cured, at least 14 days after application, clean with TSP Alternative and wipe down with Mineral Spirits/ Odourless Solvent before testing to see if the paint will adhere. If the paint separates upon application, do not try to continue painting it. You should use an Oil based conversion primer, then you can use Fusion Mineral Paint.
Wax vs. SFO & Gel Stain
Using wax is a beautiful way to finish over low traffic painted pieces like dressers. Also works great on bare wood. It has been used for centuries as a hard-wearing wood finish. It does have it’s limitations in our modern world. It is not waterproof, it has some water resistance but for high traffic areas where water will be in contact with the surface, a harder wearing finish is more suitable.
To remove the wax use some mineral spirits and a rag or wire wool to remove. Once dry you can add a top coat of your choice. For a harder wearing coat, we would suggest the Stain and Finishing Oil or our Gel Stain and Top Coat.
How To Use Gel Stain & Top Coat
The Gel Stain is a gel-like consistency until thoroughly mixed when it becomes more viscose. So, the consistency is then very thin and perfect to work with. This leave-on topcoat will of course look different on different species of wood. A test area is always advisable before starting a project to make sure you are happy with the results. The Gel Stain topcoats opacity can be built up by adding layers or simply used as a protective coat over Fusion Mineral Paint and Milk Paint.
It is not a wipe on wipe off product like our SFO which is a penetrating stain with a topcoat built-in.
You can paint over Gel Stain after the 5 days cure time. If you wanted to add a top coat to the paint, we would advise that all layers of coatings be given proper cure time for best results.
Either the SFO or Gel Stain in the Patina would work as a top Coat over the paint.
Removing Wax and Hemp Oil From Brushes
Cleaning Wax or Hemp Oil from your brush is simple using some mineral spirits or Fusions Odourless Solvent.
Here is a video on how to remove wax from your brush, the exact same steps should be used for removing Hemp Oil from your brush.
Can I apply Hemp Oil over paint?
Hemp Oil can be added over Fusion Mineral Paint, however it is not going to add more protection, it will increase the sheen which will mean you will see less visible marks on the paint especially on dark colours.
It adds very little protection but will increase the sheen ever so slightly. It helps with darker colours, as they can sometimes finger mark, and tend to attract dust.
Hemp Oil can be applied with a rag or brushed on, but all excess must be removed immediately and buffed for best results. Any oil left sitting/pooling on the surface will create shiny and sticky patches.
Can I put Tough Coat Over Wood?
Tough Coat can be used as a topcoat over wood. As it is water based it can sometimes raise the grain on the first coat due to the water content, just light sand after the first coat with a 240/300 grit will smooth the wood fibres ready for the second coat.
Our Tough coat is best-applied with an applicator pad or a damp rag in thin multiple coats.
Can I apply Wax Over Tough Coat?
Wax is always last so you can indeed add it over the top of Tough Coat for decorative purposes. The tough Coat is much tougher than wax as a finish so it won’t add more protection but can up the sheen or add effects such as aging or even a shimmer with the metallic waxes.
Wet sanding for an ultra smooth finish
Wet sanding
For a super ultra smooth finish, you can give your piece a final once over with a wet sanding technique. Here is avideoon how to achieve this finish!
Hemp Oil Sanding vs. Wet Sanding
If you would like to up the sheen over your Fusion Mineral Painted piece, you can add a touch of Hemp Oil however we do not like to reccomend this product as it is often applied and not fully removed.
The paint must have good drying time first, at least overnight. Apply Hemp Oil and take a high grit 600 sanding pad and gently sand the area. Thoroughly remove excess oil with a lint free rag.
This exact same process can be done using water instead of Hemp Oil for a distressed matt effect. Check out a how-to video here.
What finish is food safe?
Hemp Oil or our Beeswax Finish which is a pure beeswax blend with hemp oil.
Hemp Oil finish is a food safe natural wood finish. The rule of thumb is the older the wood the darker the finish could be. The newer the wood the less colour difference you will see. Works best on bare wood.
Here is more information .
Our Beeswax Finish provides the ultimate coat for your wooden kitchen tools – from cooking utensils to your butcher block. Our food-safe formula contains only pure beeswax and hemp oil – perfect for adding a durable satin finish. Food Safe, VOC-free, non-toxic, and biodegradable.
HOW TO USE IT
Apply liberally with a wax brush or lint-free rag. Allow the product to sit on the wood for 5-10 minutes, then remove any excess by buffing with your lint-free cloth.
What's the best way to clean my piece?
For painted surfaces, gentle soap and water will do the trick!
For waxed surfaces, they do not like water so much as wax resists water.
If you want to use a gentle mix of water and soap, you will eventually remove the wax, so be sure to re apply if it looks dull.
The paint itself is water resistant, so no worries there! Be sure to wait at least the full 30 days for the paint to cure before trying to wash it.
What is Tung Oil for?
Tung Oil is an excellent finish for exterior wood, or over top of Milk Paint exterior.
We recommend odourless solvents ( mineral spirits ) to thin Tung Oil. 1-1 ratio.
At least 2 coats should be applied for outdoor use.
Be sure to remove the excess immediately upon application. Re-coat after 12 hours.
After it is cured it can be reapplied when needed yearly maybe for outdoors.
Topcoat Yellowing
DISCLAIMER: Yellowing Effect of Topcoats over White Paint
At Fusion, we prioritize offering you the highest quality products that undergo thorough testing to ensure exceptional performance. However, it is important to be aware of certain factors that may contribute to yellowing over time, especially when applying topcoats on white surfaces.
Typically, other products in the market utilize lower-quality acrylic resins that have a tendency to yellow and become brittle over time. These inferior products do not bind as effectively, resulting in a less durable finish. In contrast, our Fusion™ Tough Coat™ has been tested and proven to maintain its clear transparency even after up to 3 years of UV exposure, surpassing competitor brands in terms of longevity and durability.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that accurately predicting yellowing in advance is challenging due to the unique characteristics of each wood piece and existing finish. Factors such as the presence of tannins, aniline dyes, stains, contaminants, or even the effects of heat can contribute to yellowing. This effect is particularly noticeable on intricate furniture details, where the accumulation of topcoat can intensify colour changes.
Furthermore, it is essential to consider additional variables when coating over natural materials or those processed with glues or other resins. These materials have the potential to leach into the upper layers of paint over time, and the effects may not become apparent until later stages, as the leeching process is gradual. While proper surface preparation and testing, as well as employing suitable blocker techniques depending on the substrate, are best practices, it is important to acknowledge that even with these measures, achieving 100% long-term protection against yellowing for very bright white colours may be challenging.
While we strive to provide the best possible solutions, it is crucial to acknowledge the complexity and unpredictability of yellowing. Even with proper surface preparation and testing, it may not be possible to achieve 100% long-term protection against yellowing, especially with bright white colours. Therefore, we recommend taking the following measures to mitigate the occurrence of yellowing:
- Use a Shellac-Based Stain Blocker: Applying a shellac-based stain blocker, such as Zinnser B-I-N, can help prevent the migration of tannins or contaminants from affecting the topcoat and causing yellowing.
- Test and Prep Surfaces: Always test your project’s entire finishing schedule, including surface preparation and topcoat application, on a hidden or inconspicuous area. This will help you identify any immediate issues and assess the compatibility of the products with your specific surface.
- Consider Alternative White Shades: If yellowing is a concern, consider using alternative white shades that are less prone to noticeable colour changes over time.
- Choose Fusion Mineral Paint: Fusion’s formula has a built-in topcoat, it is tough and durable and does not require the use of an additional topcoat. Our paints can provide increased durability without the risk of potential yellowing from topcoat application.
While these measures can help minimize the risk of yellowing, it is essential to recognize that the nature of wood and finishes introduces inherent variability. Therefore, we cannot guarantee complete prevention of yellowing, and individual results may vary.
Please be assured that we are committed to continuous improvement and are dedicated to developing products that offer the best possible performance. We appreciate your understanding of the complexities surrounding the yellowing phenomenon and remain dedicated to providing transparent information and recommendations to ensure your satisfaction.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our customer support team.
